Do Cats Bleed When In Heat? A Common Misconception Explained!

No, cats do not bleed when in heat.

There are extremely rare cases of female cats bleeding a little during their heat cycle, but any bleeding should be minimal.

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It is possible for the female cat to bleed during her heat cycle . This bleeding can be attributed to other reasons, but not her heat cycle (estrous cycle).

This is because the endometrium (the epithelial layer that lines the uterus) does not shed in cats, therefore there is no bleeding!

Why Would A Female Cat Bleed? 4 Possible Reasons!

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1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Feline UTI is caused by bacteria such as Escherichia coli.

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2. Infected Uterus (Pyometra)

Pyometra is an infection of the uterus. It happens when a cat has chronic thickening of the uterus without pregnancy occuring.

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3. Vaginitis

Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina caused by bacteria, yeast, or parasites.

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4. Miscarriage

Miscarriage is the loss of a fetus and symptoms of the loss depend on which stage of the pregnancy the cat is at. It can be caused by trauma, bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

When a cat is “in heat”, it means she is in her fertile period. Cat’s heat cycles continue throughout adult life into old age.