What are the signs of a cat in heat?

Signs of a female cat in heat include: in the proestrus stage, vaginal discharge, external congestion, and swelling; the cat also becomes anxious and lets out frequent, plaintive cries. If you touch or press her rear, she will instinctively raise her hindquarters and lift her tail. Without a male present, she may rub against the owner’s legs or roll on the floor. In addition, a cat in heat will urinate around the house with a very strong odor, while appearing excited, eating less, and sometimes refusing food entirely. By the late stage of estrus, these behaviors gradually decrease and then stop.