My cat is in heat and has dried blood near her vagina. Is it normal?

We do not normally see a bloody discharge in cats with heat cycles like we do in dogs. For this reason I would recommend an exam by your veterinarian. We could have blood coming from the reproductive tract from infection or a tumor, or we could have blood from the urinary tract which could be due to infection, inflammation, bladder stones, bladder tumors. The vet will do an exam and may recommend a urine test and an x-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen to help determine the cause of the blood.

Vaginal bleeding in a non-cycling female is considered abnormal. If your cat is acting fine otherwise and does not appear to be in distress, this may be something that can wait until tomorrow. However, if you feel the vaginal bleeding is excessive (versus just a red discharge) enough to where blood loss is a true consideration, this is not something that should wait until morning. Hope this helps.

This is probably not because she is in heat (cats usually do not bleed during their period), this looks like a severe urinary infection/bladder inflammation. you need to take her to the vet in order to get it treated ASAP.

I would be extremely concerned that Max has a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. Cats do not bleed when they are in heat, and this is not normal. This is something that needs to be checked out by a vet immediately, please bring her into one now. Best of luck.

It is likely blood from her going into her first heat cycle, which will not hurt her. Around 6 months of age is when cats can go into their first heat cycle. I would recommend having her spayed soon as the risk of mammary cancer increases with unspayed females.

If she’s coming into heat she will be acting differently. Lots of meowing, rolling around and acting wild. She may try to go out to get bred. If you don’t see that behavior I would check her all over to see if you can find a wound. I’m not overly concerned about this as long as it was only a few drops and it doesn’t continue. If you see more blood or if she seems sick or injured please take her in for an exam and treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Kiara.

We do not normally see bleeding when cats are in heat like we do in dogs. You can read more about the feline estrus cycle at https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952101 . If you are seeing liquid from the anus, I would be concerned she could have diarrhea or her anal sacs could be full, in which case I would recommend a veterinary exam. Best of luck to you and Runiyah.