The Pros and Cons of Neutering Your Cat

You have recently added a new kitten to your family and you are considering the pros and cons of neutering your cat. Most veterinarians strongly recommend neutering male cats, but you are not quite sure if this is the best option for you and your cat. While you may feel that neutering is a cruel punishment for your cat, there are actually many great reasons for this procedure. In fact, neutering obviously prevents unwanted kittens, but the procedure can also have a positive impact on the overall health of your cat. But, what is this procedure and what are some of the pros and cons of neutering your cat.

A Definition

Simply put, neutering is the removal of the reproductive organs of an animal. More specifically, neutering refers to the removal of a male animal's reproductive organs, while spaying is the procedure for female animals. Humane societies, rescue groups, veterinarians, and animal shelters all support neutering as a sterilization method in cats in order to prevent unwanted litters and overpopulation of unwanted animals. In North America, neutering is by far the most common method for sterilizing male cats.

The Surgery

In cats, neutering involves castration or the removal of the testicles. Through castration, the source of sperm and testosterone is removed thereby ensuring the male cannot impregnate a female, while also reducing sexual activity in the cat. During the procedure, your cat will be given a general anaesthetic to ensure they are unconscious and cannot feel anything. Two small incisions are made through the scrotum and the testicles are removed. In preparation for the procedure, your cat should not have any food or water for several hours before neutering.

Most veterinarians recommend that neutering be done when your cat is around 6 months of age. Still, depending on your situation and your cat, this age may very. In some cases, neutering is done when a cat is as young as 8 weeks. Rehabilitation is much easier for younger cats, but generally speaking male cats return to normal behaviour within a day or two of the surgery.

The Pros of Neutering

So what are some of the benefits of neutering? First and foremost, as male cats reach sexual maturity they may begin to develop some undesirable habits. They may begin to mark their territory by spraying urine around your home, and they may even attempt to increase their territory by spraying in your yard and neighbourhood. Neutered cats do not usually spray.

Another major benefit of neutering is that it prevents reproduction and unwanted litters of animals. While the owner of a male cat may not be concerned about unwanted kittens, the fact that a male may be responsible for many dozens of offspring should not be overlooked. Unwanted litters of kittens are often euthanized because there is nobody to care for them.

Finally, neutered cats are at a much lower risk of certain health problems, most obviously testicular cancer.

The Cons of Neutering

Obviously, if you are interested in breeding your cat, you do not want him neutered. Also, recent research suggests that spayed and neutered animals are more likely to become obese. Mating animals exert a lot of energy seeking a mate and reproducing, but without this energy expenditure some cats do not have the same opportunity to burn calories.

Nevertheless, a responsible pet owner should be aware that there are millions of unwanted cats living in North America. In order to prevent even more overpopulation, neutering is crucial.

For more information on neutering your cat please visit Steveston Animal Hospital in Richmond BC

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Neutering of Cats - Advantages and Disadvantages

Many people believe neutering is cruel to cats. The truth, however, is a bit different. Neutering not only prevents the cat from having kitten, but it also keeps the cat healthy.

According to a survey from 1995, about 80% of the cats and dogs in the USA are spayed or neutered.

What does neutering mean?

Neutering is a routine surgery for removal of the cat's sex organs. After this surgery, the cat is unable to reproduce. In addition, the procedure stops the production of sexual hormones which cause the cat's sexual behavior. The decision whether to neuter your cat or not is one of the most important decisions that a cat owner has to take.

What exactly is done during the surgery?

Neuter is a very simple and routine surgery performed in veterinary medicine. The cat should not be feed the night before because anesthesia is performed on an empty stomach. When the procedure is for male cats, it is called castration, while for female cats it is known as spaying.

Castration involves the removal of the gonads, or testicles. This intervention removes the sperm source and the source of testosterone. Under general anesthesia, two small incisions are made in the scrotum's skin and both testicles are removed. In other words, the male cat is castrated.

Female cats undergo spaying which is the removal of the uterus and the ovaries. A small area on the stomach is shaved and a little incision is made. The ovaries and the uterus are removed through this incision. This surgery is equivalent to a full hysterectomy.

When should a cat be neutered?

Most vets recommend the cat undergoes this procedure when it is about six months old, before the car reaches sexual maturity. However, this may vary for the different cats. A common practice in the USA is cats to be neutered while they are very young, and sometimes cats aged eight weeks undergo such surgery.

A pregnant female cat can be neutered, too, but it may be very dangerous for the mother, especially if the procedure is performed in late pregnancy.

How long does the rehabilitation take?

Males cats are usually back to their normal lives on the day after the surgery. Female cats need some more time - about one or two days later they will be healthy.

The advantages of neutering

Most cat owners don't know exactly why they should neuter their cats. Here is a quick list of some of the key reasons.

- Male cat usually develop some undesirable changes in their behavior after their puberty, when they are approximately 6-8 months old. These changes include marking of their territory by spraying urine around the house, or expanding their territory and spraying urine outside and around the house. This is usually one of the reasons for cats being involved in car accidents. You can prevent these changes by neutering your cat.

- Neutering stops the cat spaying in the house. Urine is unsanitary and has a bad odor that can't be removed easy.

- Neutering will remove heat cycles at females. These heats occur several timed every year and cause some behavioral changes such as kneading, howling and restlessness. Also, it will prevent the cat from spraying. Neutering reduces the risk of mammary cancer and eliminates the development of pyometra - a serious infection of the uterine.

- Neutered cats cannot reproduce and will not have unwanted kittens.

- Neutering will make a female cat more attentive and loving. It will also protect her from sexually transmitted infections and some cancers.

- A neutered female cat will not attract males that urinated in her territory to mark her as their property.

- Neutered cats are more affectionate and calmer. They are more interested in their owners and are more social with people. Some statistics show that neutered male cats live longer than male cats that are not neutered.

The disadvantages of neutering

- Neutered cat cannot have kittens. Do not perform this surgery if you want to breed your cat.

- Some neutered cats make gain extra weight after the surgery because they will not use their energy to find mates, as they did before.

Check out all the nice products, that your kitty will love. Our online cat store specializes in items such as cat beds. We also have lots of well designed on cat toys.

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