If you own a cat, chances are you have heard a lot of good things about neutering. For those who do not know a thing about it, neutering is the process of surgically preventing your canines from reproducing. In male cats, the operation is referred to as castration, whereas for females, it is called spaying.
During the castration process, both of the cat’s testicles are removed, taking away the main sources of testosterone. On the other hand, spaying means removing the uterus and the ovaries so that the female cannot be pregnant anymore.
If you want to know if you should get your kitty friend neutered, read further.
What happens during the cat neutering process?
Spaying and castration both happen under general anaesthetic. These procedures may be relatively risky, but the modern procedures have made them generally safe.
Since both processes involve surgery, cats will feel discomfort. However, they will be given drugs so they could control the pain better. Most of them will regain their consciousness and energy just a few hours after having the operation.
At what age should I have my cat neutered?
Cats reach sexual maturity at the age of five months. To prevent unwanted pregnancies, you can have your cat neutered at around four months old after completing its necessary vaccines. It’s always best to ask your local veterinarian about it, since some vets recommend neutering around five to six months.
How much does neutering cost?
There are several charities, especially those that concern animals that offer low-cost neutering. Make sure to check them out.
What are the benefits of getting your cat neutered?
There are a number of reasons why having your cat neutered is an excellent idea. We have rounded up some of the best ones:
For male cats:
– Neutering means reducing the chance of contracting feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), an irreversible disease highly similar to HIV in humans, which is usually spread by saliva when cats bite each other during fights.
– Cats who were not neutered that are confined are untamable as compared to neutered male cats.
– This also reduces a cat’s urge to roam and fight around with other cats, so this means the risk of being missing, getting hit by cars, or getting accidentally hurt is lower.
For female cats:
– Spaying female cats, especially if operated when they’re young, reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer and womb infection called pyometra, both of which are fatal.
– Spaying also reduces the risks that come with pregnancy and birth-giving.
– Spaying means controlling the whole cat population.
– Unwanted kittens may not be given with ample amount of care and are likely to suffer from infectious diseases like cat flu.
For the owners:
– Did you know that a female cat can give birth up to six kittens, thrice a year? Yes, you got it right—that is a lot of mouths to feed!
– It can be stressful to try not to get your furry best friend pregnant, and if she does, you have to worry about taking care of her during and after pregnancy. This can be challenging especially when you have an extremely busy schedule on your plate.
– Those who were not spayed can almost be continuously in heat. As an owner, this can be frustrating because it attracts a lot of male cats to your house.
– Unneutered tomcats have the tendency to urine-mark their territories, including your house, with a very pungent smelling urine. You would not want your house to be ran by your cat!
According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinary advisor at petMD, “For instance, neutered male cats are at higher risk for developing urinary blockages, and cats who have been spayed or neutered do have a tendency to gain weight if their diets aren’t adjusted accordingly. Owners should always talk to their own veterinarian about what is best for their particular pet, but the benefits of spay/neuter almost always outweigh the risks.”
As a cat parent, your cat’s health and safety is your responsibility. You should ensure a good, healthy life for your cat to the best of your ability. If you believe neutering is beneficial to your cat and to yourself, then it should be done in a heartbeat.