Cats in heat will howl loudly and constantly as they try to attract a male to mate. They may also spray walls or furniture with strong-smelling urine also in an attempt to indicate their availability to a male. The queen will signal her willingness to mate with a unique posture: chest down, forelegs bent, rear quarters raised with the tail to the side to expose the vulva ( this posture is called lordosis). 1 Her rear legs may tread rhythmically as if walking in place.