Spaying and neutering provide medical and behavioral benefits to your feline companion and help control the pet overpopulation crisis. This can be the single best decision you make for your cat's long-term welfare.
What Is Spaying and Neutering?
Spaying refers to the removal of the reproductive organs of a female animal, while neutering refers to the removal of the male animal’s testicles. By having this routine surgical procedure performed on your pet, you are providing them with a healthier, longer life.
Altered pets are healthier because the urge to search out mates is eliminated. Altered pets are less likely to roam from home and be injured in fights or killed in traffic. In fact, altered pets have twice the average life expectancy of unaltered pets, partly due to a lower chance of suffering from mammary, uterine, prostate and testicular cancers.
YOUR CAT'S HEALTH
Spaying a female cat, especially before the first heat, helps prevent uterine infections, uterine cancers, and breast cancer. Neutering male cats eliminates the chances of testicular cancer and lowers the risk of prostate problems. Generally, spayed and neutered pets live healthier, longer, and happier lives.
YOUR CAT WILL BE BETTER BEHAVED
Spayed or neutered cats are better behaved. They will be less likely to roam, yowl, wail, bite, display aggressive behavior, or spray or mark their territory. Intact males will do just about anything they can to find mates, including escaping from your home, which puts them at risk of injury or fights with other males. Roaming can also expose your cat to dangerous diseases, including feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Spaying or neutering can help improve your cat's mood. Unaltered pets become stressed when in heat, which can last several months out of the year. Spaying or neutering will help relieve stress and will leave you with a content pet. You'll help curb undesirable behaviors without interfering with your furry companion's unique personality.
HELP FIGHT PET OVERPOPULATION
Did you know that millions of healthy cats are euthanized in the U.S. each year because there aren't enough homes available? Spaying and neutering can help control the pet overpopulation crisis and reduces the number of strays, which end up in shelters instead of loving homes. Unfortunately, many end up homeless and are left to fend for themselves.
SPAYING AND NEUTERING ARE COST EFFECTIVE
The long-term costs you could incur by not spaying or neutering your furry friend can be excessive. Treating cancers of the reproductive system can be quite costly, as is caring for a new cat litter. Additionally, unaltered pets can be more destructive and may engage in serious fights with neighborhood strays, often requiring pricey treatments.
WHEN SHOULD YOU SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR CAT?
Kittens as young as eight weeks old can be spayed or neutered safely. Cats altered before six - seven months of age will have a lower risk of developing behavioral or health problems, as compared to those that undergo these procedures later in life. Spaying and neutering early in life may even prevent problem behaviors before they develop. If an unaltered cat is displaying problem behaviors, it's never too late to spay or neuter, regardless of age. Each pet is unique and your vet will be able to offer advice on when you should have your cat spayed or neutered.
Comments