Cat heat cycle

[April2]

How long does a cat remain in heat and how often, does anyone know? Ever since my son came home to live for awhile and brought his cat, she's been driving us all nutty with her constant meowing, scratching on doors, etc. She doesn't like closed doors and will scratch or "pound" on doors at night till someone lets her in their bedroom (it's mostly my son's bedroom door but she'll do it to my daughter's as well). She wanders around meowing loudly, not just at night but also during the day. Like I said, it's driving us all a little nutty, lol.
I've been asking my son to get her fixed but he stays pretty busy with his full time job, plus we've all been sick off and on the last month, but I guess it will be me to go take her in to get fixed. I just don't want to do it while she's in a heat cycle because I know they charge more and I think it can make it a bit more dangerous? But I can't tell if that's what's going on because she's been doing this so long! But I do want to wait to make sure she's done with her heat cycle. I'm assuming that's what's going on but I'm also wondering if she's missing her brother and sister. She's about 8 or 9 months old (not sure but I think she was around 6 months old when my son moved back in), and until my son moved back home she had lived with her siblings along with my son's other roommates. I feel bad for her if that's the case but not sure what we can do to help her adjust. In some ways she seems to have adjusted fine and is getting along well with the dogs and our other cat. She has the run of the house. But she tends to wander around a lot, meowing loudly and banging or scratching on doors.
Any help?

[AnnieBrooke]

If she just arched her back, that's simply that she enjoys being scratched.  A cat in heat will keep her body low but elevate her butt slightly, and put her tail way over to the side, like at right angles to her spine.  Sounds like she isn't in heat.  Take her in.  :)

[April2]

Thank you, that makes sense.
And yes, I did have that happen to me where I was charged more. I was watching my friend's cat for about 5 months till they could get a place and get settled. I asked my friend if I could get her cat spayed. Do you guys remember me talking about SweetPea? Well, I picked a place that was supposed to be low cost and they claimed she was in heat and would need to charge me more because of that. I didn't dispute it because I couldn't prove whether she was or not. They say it's more difficult because the tissues and blood vessels are more engorged. It's not the first time I've heard this.

[nancyjac]

Think PMS.  

Heat cycles in young female cats can begin as early as 4 to 5 months of age.  They last from several days to 2 weeks or more and repeat every 2 to 3 weeks until they are pregnant or spayed.  So yes, it can seem like she is constantly in heat.  This is not just annoying for you, it is very annoying, uncomfortable, and can even been painful for the cat.  I have never heard of a vet who charges more or will not spay a cat while in heat and it is not more dangerous for the cat.  

[April2]

Could be boredom or that she misses her siblings. It does seem like she's been doing this for a long time, certainly more than a few weeks.

I tried what you suggested, AnnieBrooke, and she just arched her back like she liked being scratched. So maybe that's a no?
We still need to get her in and get spayed. I hope that will calm her down, if nothing else!

[AnnieBrooke]

Seems like a strange time of year for a cat to be in heat, but if you live in a warm place, she might be.  If you scratch her on the butt (right at the base of the spine, where the tail attaches) and she squats down and puts her tail to the side, then she is in heat.  If not, she's probably just meowing out of boredom and you can get her spayed.  If the situation is desperate and she is driving everyone crazy, get her spayed in any case.  It is not the end of the world to spay a cat who is in heat.

[Jade59]

Hey April, this sounds like heat to me.  You've told us she's getting along well with Sakura and the dog? (do you still have a dog? lol) so it's likely just heat.  I googled your question and it looks like the heat cycle can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.  I would give your vet a call, see what they have to say about it, set up an appt and take her yourself.  Sorry it's on your shoulders, but men can have some trouble following through, lol.  I know exactly how annoying the meowing is, but also, kitty is miserable with no outlet.  She'll be a whole different cat once she's spayed and she will thank you. : )