Hi,
So I'm looking after a friends cat, with my 2 spayed cats. They were getting along really well, but this morning the 'guest' cat has come into heat.
My 2 don't seem to be taking it well. My friend has agreed to let me get her spayed next week. But until then what can I expect and how can I keep everybody happy?
Thanks.
Cat in heat and other cats
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Lilith
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Re: Cat in heat and other cats
Hi and welcome 
Good on you for taking responsibility for this girl. Neuters' reactions can vary; some take no notice, others, like yours, can be irritated ... I used to breed Siamese and one of my spayed girls used to go and sit astride the 'calling' girl
Whatever kept them happy ...
I wouldn't worry too much as long as there's no outright violence, and even if one of your girls does go and smack the guest, she'll probably just act dopey and let her. Girls in heat aren't generally aggressive until just after mating, when the male's penis, which is covered in tiny fleshy backward-pointing barbs, has been withdrawn - ouch! This is reckoned to stimulate ovulation (cats and rabbits don't ovulate until mated) but it gives the girl a shock and the boy will jump out of the way before she retaliates. But no danger of this here.
If she's really annoying them, to the point of sulking, refusing food, I'd try and keep her separate, as it is their home, but I feel they'll get used to it. Try a few nice titbits to cheer them up. When the girl does go for spaying, I'm sure the vet will advise you about this, she needs to be completely 'off the boil' before her op - during her heat her womb etc is engorged with blood, making the op more complicated. Afterwards I'd give her a separate room if you can too, to convalesce, but most of them sail through it.
Naturally keep her in - that goes without saying and I'm sure you know this, but also watch out for toms, the crafty little sods KNOW, and if your girls still go out, the toms might jump on them. They may spray round the house and garden. It could even be an awareness or sight or smell of toms hanging about that's causing the irritability. And watch open windows too - the boys will do ther damndest to get into the house; they've no shame in this situation.
Hopefully there'll be others along soon with more advice but hope this helps for now and that all goes well - please keep us posted
Good on you for taking responsibility for this girl. Neuters' reactions can vary; some take no notice, others, like yours, can be irritated ... I used to breed Siamese and one of my spayed girls used to go and sit astride the 'calling' girl
Whatever kept them happy ...I wouldn't worry too much as long as there's no outright violence, and even if one of your girls does go and smack the guest, she'll probably just act dopey and let her. Girls in heat aren't generally aggressive until just after mating, when the male's penis, which is covered in tiny fleshy backward-pointing barbs, has been withdrawn - ouch! This is reckoned to stimulate ovulation (cats and rabbits don't ovulate until mated) but it gives the girl a shock and the boy will jump out of the way before she retaliates. But no danger of this here.
If she's really annoying them, to the point of sulking, refusing food, I'd try and keep her separate, as it is their home, but I feel they'll get used to it. Try a few nice titbits to cheer them up. When the girl does go for spaying, I'm sure the vet will advise you about this, she needs to be completely 'off the boil' before her op - during her heat her womb etc is engorged with blood, making the op more complicated. Afterwards I'd give her a separate room if you can too, to convalesce, but most of them sail through it.
Naturally keep her in - that goes without saying and I'm sure you know this, but also watch out for toms, the crafty little sods KNOW, and if your girls still go out, the toms might jump on them. They may spray round the house and garden. It could even be an awareness or sight or smell of toms hanging about that's causing the irritability. And watch open windows too - the boys will do ther damndest to get into the house; they've no shame in this situation.
Hopefully there'll be others along soon with more advice but hope this helps for now and that all goes well - please keep us posted
Re: Cat in heat and other cats
Yeah, I have all doors and windows solidly shut and all of mine are indoor cats anyway XD she is being rather noisy though haha, she REALLY wants a mate 
Keeping her seperate after the op isn't an issue. I don't want to do it now though as it'll just feel like punishing either Rosie (the guest) or my 2 by keeping them apart from me.
Thanks for the tips, for now it's just growling etc when she gets near to them or a light tap. Problem is she's quite persistent about being friends with them. So hopefully she won't push them too far!
Keeping her seperate after the op isn't an issue. I don't want to do it now though as it'll just feel like punishing either Rosie (the guest) or my 2 by keeping them apart from me.
Thanks for the tips, for now it's just growling etc when she gets near to them or a light tap. Problem is she's quite persistent about being friends with them. So hopefully she won't push them too far!