It is possible that you are caring for a cat that hasn’t been spayed or neutered due to its age or previous health condition (malnutritioned, underweight etc). If this is the case, it is best to fix your cat as soon as possible because there are so many benefits of spaying and neutering cats. Even indoor ones! On average, cats are spayed or neutered at 5 or 6 months, though they can be neutered at 4 months or less depending on your vet. This lines up with the age of sexual maturity of cats which can be as early as 4 months. If you are considering or reluctant about spaying or neutering your cat, here are some of the major benefits of doing so.
Benefits of Spaying
Female Cat Behavioural Benefits: Female cats will often instinctively try to escape during heat even if this is something they’ve never done before. If they’re successful, potential consequences include the cat getting hurt, lost, or coming back pregnant. They may also spray (urinate on vertical surfaces in the home) to mark their territory when in heat. Cats in heat also vocalize loudly (especially at night), which can result in stray male cats gathering around the home and spraying the house.
Female Cat Health Benefits: Spaying a female cat before their first heat almost eliminates the chance of mammary (breast) cancer. Also, spayed females cannot develop ovarian cancers, uterine cancers, or pyometra (a potentially fatal uterine infection).
Male Cat Behavioural Benefits: Males display many of the same behaviours as female cats in heat. Except, males are more aggressive in their escape attempts, urine spraying, and loud vocalizations at night. NOTE: It is important to neuter male cats before they go into heat because some may retain heat behaviour and continue to spray even after they are neutered. Furthermore, an escaped male cat might contract diseases during cat fights, as well as choose to roam for long periods of time instead of returning home, and get lost or hurt.
Male Cat Health Benefits: Spayed male cats cannot develop testicular cancer.
Cat Community Benefits: Chances are likely that your own cat is a result of another pet or stray that was not spayed or neutered when it should have been. While your cat is lucky to have found an amazing home with you, most kittens born on the streets are not so lucky. Kittens have a low chance of survival outdoors, and the presence of sick or dying cats in a neighbourhood is hazardous to humans as well. Often, the stray mothers are unhealthy and pass down health issues to their newborns. These kittens can then spread a variety of parasites, diseases, and viruses. Read this post if you want to learn about some common health issues that stray cats may have or pass to your own cat. By reducing your pet’s ability to impregnate another cat or get pregnant, you are reducing the chance of your own pet’s suffering and the suffering of future kittens.
Some Safety Considerations
Though spay and neuter procedures are safe, it is important to consider the following:
- Female cats should not be spayed while they are in heat because they tend to bleed more during the procedure. Most vets recommend waiting until after a heat cycle to spay the cat.
- As with any surgery, the cat can contract an infection post surgery. Speak to the vet beforehand about what signs to look out for in case of infection (ex. bleeding or swelling). Vets may prescribe antibiotics after the surgery, make sure these are administered exactly as instructed.
- Cats may gain weight after the procedure and this may require some diet adjustments. Again, your vet is the best source of advice and information on how to keep your cat fit and healthy.
When I was in high school, I was told that my generation would be the generation that pursues multiple career paths and does at least three different jobs throughout their lifetime. I’d initially laughed at that thought but ten years later, here I am as a full time teacher, part time traveller, and constant animal rescuer. Also, they failed to tell me that two out of the three jobs wouldn’t even pay me.