Females
cats are spayed. Male cats are neutered. Spaying or neutering removes
an animal's ability to reproduce. Spaying involves surgical removal
of the uterus and ovaries. Neutering involves surgical removal of
the testicles. Both operations, done under general anesthesia, are
safe, routine and relatively painless. Typically, a spayed or neutered
cat is up and about within a day of the operation.
Spayed
and neutering pets are less distracted by sexual instincts. They can
be more responsive to family members. Spayed and neutered pets are
less likely to roam the streets and become lost or injured in search
of a mate. (Male cats can smell a female in heat over great distances).
Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to fight with other cats,
thus saving themselves much pain and their owners high veterinary
bills. Spaying or neutering a cat, contray to popular belief, does
not make them fat or lazy. Rather, the metabolism of a cat changes
after spaying and neutering and the cat requires less food. This can
save on cat food bills. Spayed and neutered cats are cheaper to license.
Isn't
neutering expensive ?
Most veterinarian
try to keep charges for spaying and neutering affordable, but prices
can vary. We suggest you call several veterinarians and pay / neuter
clinics to check on costs for your cat. Remember, the one-time cost
of spaying or neutering is minimal compared to the costs of repeated
veterinary treatments for pets injured when roaming or fighting. additionally,
paying for a mother cat's proper health care, including possible cesarean
delivery, along with feeding, worming and vaccinating litters of kittens
can result in excessive veterinary bills.
How
much time does it take to have a cat spayed / neutered ?
Most clinics
and veterinary hospitals will accept your cat during morning hours,
and the cat ist usually available for pickup later that day or the
next day. Finding the time once is easy compared to the time involved
in repeated veterinary visits to treat sick or injured unaltered cats,
or for caring and finding homes for kittens.
Will
spaying / neutering change my cat's personality ?
The majority
of cat owners notice no change in their cat's personality. If a change
is noticed, it is typically a decrease in their cat's desire to roam,
fight with other animals, or exhibit anxious, aggressive behavior.
Instead, they become more affectionate.
My
cat never leaves my yard. Why should I spray / neuter my cat ?
You have
already read about the health benefits of spaying / neutering. A female
spayed before her first heat is 200 times less likely to develop breast
cancer. Also, accidents to happen frequently to backyard cats, as
interested suitors usually find a way into the yard. Remember, spayed
/ neutered cats can be calmer, easier to care for and more attentive
to you.
But
I know I can find a good home for each kitten in my cat's litter.
Many animals
in animal shelters are brought in by owners who were unable to place
them in homes. It's like musical chairs... there are just so many
chairs and when the music stops, those that get left out are euthanized.
I want my children to experience the miracle of birth.
Public
television and your library are two highly informative sources available
to tach children about reproduction of animals. For millions of cats,
however, the "miracle of birth" is closely matched with
the increasing number of cats euthanized due to pet overpopulation.
But
I want to breed my purebred pet to make money.
Professional
breeding of purebred animals is a science involving years of study
of desirable breed characteristics. For the novice, little money,
if any, can be made when the mother cat is properly cared for and
kittens are fed, wormed vaccinated, advertised and sold.
Is
my pet too old for spaying / neutering ?
Cats are
safely spayed and neutered every day. Unless your cat has health problems,
spaying / neutering is safe and routine. Your veterinarian or low-cost
spay / neuter clinic will examine your cat before the operation to
determine if any health problems are present. Owners of mature cats
enjoy spay / neuter benefits too!
