If you got a new kitten or cat, you might be thinking about spaying or neutering them. Our vets in Brodheadsville can tell you why it's good for your cat and the community.
Should you get your cat fixed?
Animal shelters in Brodheadsville have many homeless cats and kittens. The ASPCA estimates that about 3.2 million cats enter US animal shelters each year.
Getting your new kitten fixed can reduce the number of homeless cats in your area, lower their disease risk, and help prevent unwanted cat behaviors.
When should you get your cat fixed?
Fixing kittens at four months of age, before they become sexually mature, provides the most effective safeguard against various health hazards. Nevertheless, you can also spay or neuter adult cats. If you're uncertain about when to get your cat fixed, consult your vet. They can assist you in determining the ideal time to get your cat spayed or neutered.
How are spaying and neutering different?
When we talk about getting a cat 'fixed', what does that actually mean?
Spay
When we fix female cats it's called spaying. Spaying means that the vet surgically removes the cat's uterus and ovaries, or sometimes just the ovaries, so your cat cannot have kittens.
Neuter
Male cats are neutered or castrated when we get them fixed. This means that the vet surgically removes the cat's testes so that your cat can no longer father kittens.
Benefits of Spaying Your Female Cat
Controlling the number of unwanted cats in your area
Your lovely new kitten could produce offspring before reaching six months of age. Female cats can have four litters per year, each containing up to 10 kittens.
This implies that your cat could have up to 40 kittens in a year, resulting in excessive unwanted cats.
Reduce your cat's risk of disease
Having your kitten spayed before she has her first heat cycle can reduce your cat's risk of developing breast cancer later in life, and eliminate the possibility of your cat developing pyometra (a potentially fatal infection of the womb).
Protect wildlife in your neighborhood
In the USA, it is estimated that cats kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds annually. By reducing the population of homeless cats, you are also helping to protect birds and other small animals.
Deter unwanted behaviors
Spaying your female cat can prevent male cats from coming into your yard. Unspayed female cats attract male cats from the neighborhood. Having unneutered male cats around your home and garden can cause problems, as they tend to spray, fight, and howl.
Benefits of Neutering Your Male Cat
Reduced numbers of unwanted kittens
One unneutered male cat can make many female cats pregnant. Having your male cat neutered can play a significant role in helping to reduce the number of homeless cats in your neighborhood.
Reduced risk of many common health issues
Neutering can help to reduce cat aggression and may mean fewer injuries from cat fights. Reduced risk of your cat contracting FIV (immunodeficiency virus) or FeLV (Feline leukemia virus). Neutering can also curb your male cat's tendency to roam, reducing his risk of vehicle injury.
Helps to reduce the incidence of spraying
Typically, unneutered male cats will spray urine inside the home more often than neutered males, and often try to get outside more. Having your male kitten neutered while he's young can help to prevent spraying and other territorial and mating behaviors from starting.