It’s pretty easy to recognize a cat’s in heat; she will show behavioral changes due to hormones, such as loud vocalization to let males know she’s ready for mating, and she will have mood swings.
Your cat’s body posture might also reveal she’s in heat – she will hold her head down, bend her forelegs, raise the tail and expose the perineum. Also, the cat's vulva will swell and you might notice a bloody discharge.
Female cats start going into heat when they are 4 to 5 months old. They will continue to have heat cycles every 2 to 3 weeks.
A cat in heat will be agitated and stressed. This period will also give you some headaches! One of the options to make this period easier for both you and your cat is by using the Q-tip method.
How could a simple small stick with a ball of absorbent cotton on its ends get your cat out of the heat?
Let’s take a look at the explanation.
How Does The Q-Tip Method Work?
This method is quite simple; you just need to be careful so as not to hurt your kitten.
The basic idea of using a Q-tip to calm your cat in heat is by stimulating mating behavior.
All you need here is a sterilized Q-tip and some lubricant. So, the first thing you should do is to put the Q-tip under boiling water, and then let it cool off for a few minutes.
After that, you need to put a small amount of lubricant onto the Q-tip and then insert it into your cat’s vagina. Try to be as gentle as possible.
After you insert the Q-tip into your cat’s vagina, you need to rotate it a few times.
Take a look at the video below to get the full image of what this procedure is supposed to look like.
By doing this, you will reduce the vagina swelling and you will also relieve the discomfort in your cat.
Furthermore, the Q-tip method can help you remove the discharge from your cat’s vagina, if there is any.
When you finish using the Q-tip, discard it right away.
What Kind Of Q-Tip To Use?
You should be careful not to use a too large Q-tip.
It should be 3 to 6 inches long, and you should insert it to a maximum of 5 centimeters into your cat’s vagina.
This should be enough to relieve the heat symptoms in your kitten, and should be safe for her too at the same time.
Are There Any Risks?
Your cat might seem relieved and calmer after you have used the Q-tip method.
Still, this is not a long-term solution. Also, there are some risks related to this method for getting a cat out of heat.
The fiber from the Q-tip you’re using might break off and even stay inside your cat’s vagina. This can lead to infection.
If you’re not careful enough, you might hurt your cat and cause lacerations in her private parts.
This method can be useful, but I recommend you first consult your veterinarian on the matter.
This is a serious issue and you need to be sure you understand the consequences and that you’re familiar enough with the method and willing to take the risk.
Remember That Spaying Is The Best Solution
You might use the Q-tip method, try to keep your cat indoors and away from males, but, the truth is – the only way to get your cat out of heat is by spaying her. This means removing the cat’s ovaries and uterus.
Spaying eliminates a cat’s heat cycle and makes her unable to reproduce.
According to Mohammad Raguib Munif and his associates [1], spaying is not only a means of population control in felines, but it also has other purposes. This procedure reduces the chances of pyometra, uterine torsion, uterine rupture, and mammary tumors in cats.
Spaying also increases the longevity of animals in general.
So, if you want to stop your cat from constantly meowing and rubbing against everything, peeing everywhere to signal their availability to males, and rolling around – spaying is the best and the only long-term solution.
See Also: 5 Effective Home Remedies For Cats In Heat
Closing Thoughts
If you decide to use the Q-tip method, you need to make sure you’re careful so as not to hurt your cat.
Still, I advise you not to use this method before consulting your veterinarian.
A Q-tip is something we all have in our homes, so, it sounds like an easy and quick fix. However, don't forget that a Q-tip might just relieve your cat’s discomfort for a brief moment.
She will keep going into heat until she gets pregnant or until she gets spayed. So, if you want a long-term solution, the best would be to consider sterilization.
References:
[1] Munif MR, Safawat MS, Hannan A. Left lateral flank approach for spaying in cats. Open Vet J. 2022 Jul-Aug;12(4):540-550. DOI, Retrieved May 11, 2023.Read Next: How Long Do Male Cats Stay In Heat?
