Heat (or estrus)

First cat heat, or estrus

It will no doubt be easy to tell when your young female cat reaches sexual maturity and goes into her first estrus, or heat cycle. This usually occurs when an unspayed female cat is about six months old, and signals that your pet is ready to look for a mate.

First dog heat, or estrus

It will no doubt be easy to tell when your young female dog reaches sexual maturity and goes into her first estrus, or heat cycle. This usually occurs when an unspayed female dog is six to ten months old, and signals that your pet is ready to look for a mate.