For domestic cats, the “mating season” is when most unspayed females (queens) are cycling. They are in heat and receptive to males. This period generally increases as daylight lengthens and temperatures rise each year. This trend means activity tends to rise in late winter and peak in spring and early summer.

Typical pattern for most cats (Northern Hemisphere):

• Starts: Around February (late winter).
• Peaks: March through June are the busiest months for heat and mating activity.JustCatCafe
• Continues: Often through September or early autumn.

Cats are seasonally polyestrous (multiple estrus cycles in a season). Female cats can go into heat every 2–3 weeks throughout the mating season. This increases overall mating frequency during those months.

Geographic and environmental variation:

• In warm climates or close to the equator, mating behavior can occur more continuously or year-round.
• Indoor cats exposed to artificial light may cycle outside the typical seasonal window because light exposure stimulates reproductive hormones.

Summary: The mating season is on the rise starting in February, with peak months typically spring through early summer (March–June), and substantial activity often continuing through September in many regions

Hena’s Blog For Paws © 2019 by Hena Osman is licensed under CC BY 4.0