Introduction
The benefits of spaying a cat have been talked about for several years. However, you could be getting misinformation, especially when you are dealing with a cat that is about to have kittens. You need to better understand what the advantages are to spaying a cat before you make a choice.
Animal shelters regularly euthanize thousands of cats just because there is not enough room to take care of them. The best way to prevent this from happening is by having your pet spayed or neutered. Even though it seems like a lot of effort, both you and your pet will benefit from the procedure.
Spaying Prevents Diseases
Spaying can also help prevent diseases that are unique to female cats. Uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and mammary tumors are all linked to a cat’s reproductive organs. The uterus of an unfixed female cat is more susceptible to infection because it is in close proximity with her reproductive system. A condition called pyometra occurs when the lining of the uterus becomes inflamed, causing extreme pain and potentially fatal bacterial infections (1). Spaying prevents false pregnancies that may lead to cystitis, an inflammation of the bladder, which can be extremely painful (2). Spaying will reduce your feline’s risk of ovarian or uterine infections by preventing hormone fluctuations that can result in infection (3). Finally, spay surgery doesn’t just prevent these diseases; it also improves quality of life for many cats who need spaying surgery but cannot afford it
Prevents Diseases
Spaying your female cat before her first estrous cycle (going into “heat” or being able to breed) greatly reduces her risk of cervical cancer and eliminates her risk for ovarian cancer. Because removing the ovaries reduces the levels of hormones that encourage the growth of cancerous tumors, spaying reduces your cat’s risk of mammary cancer as well.
Keep in mind there are other diseases resulting from natural cat behavior when they mate. Feline leukemia and feline AIDS are two diseases spread through the bites of infected cats to other cats, according to the VCA Hospitals (these diseases are different from human AIDS and leukemia, and cannot be transmitted from cats to people). By reducing your cat’s urge to fight over mates and territory, you’ll also reduce her chances of contracting these incurable diseases from other cats.
Reduces Fights
Unneutered male cats are driven by hormones to seek mates and defend their territory against intruders. So, two or more unneutered male cats in the same household can spell trouble. Fights tend to break out, especially if there’s a female cat in heat nearby. By neutering your cats, you’ll reduce their aggressive instincts.
Reduces Risk of Roaming
When female cats go into heat, both her hormones and instincts are urging her to find a mate. And if she’s your only cat, she’ll try to escape every time you open the door so that she can find one. Remember that males are also driven by hormones and the mating instinct, and will try their best to escape for the same reason. Both males and females are at risk outdoors of being injured as they cross roads and highways to mate. By neutering your cat, you’ll reduce this wanderlust and find they’re happy to stay put in the safe, comfy spot next to you on the couch.
Cleaner Home
Male cats spray their urine on vertical surfaces to mark their territory. And while the pungent odor of an unneutered cat’s urine alerts other males that there’s another guy nearby who has claimed the area as his turf, it tells females he’s waiting for his opportunity to mate with her. An unneutered male cat in your house can be a messy business. Neutering a cat reduces or eliminates the urge to spray, and if they do, the scent should be much more mild.
Female cats also pass bodily fluids when they go into heat. These fluids also contain scents to alert males that a fertile female is nearby. By spaying your female cat, you’ll eliminate the same problem.
When It Should Happen
Your cat’s vet will recommend the optimal age at which she should be neutered. In general, most vets prefer to neuter a cat around the age of sexual maturity.
Fewer Stray Cats
There is no doubt that spaying prevents unwanted kittens. The ASPCA estimates that 2 million kittens are born every year in the U.S. That’s a lot of cats! Spaying also prevents stray cats, as they won’t be able to reproduce or mate. In addition to preventing the spread of disease and overpopulation, there is another benefit of spaying: it can prevent your cat from spraying throughout your house (this is especially helpful if you have multiple pets).
Spaying Prevents Cancer
Spaying a cat prevents certain types of cancer.
In cats, the female reproductive organs are located close to the mammary glands. This allows for the possibility of malignant tumors in both areas. Spaying prevents this threat by removing the ovaries and uterus, thus preventing ovarian and uterine cancers.
If you have any questions about spay surgery or our services at The Cat Hospital of Portland, please contact us today!
It Controls the Pet Population
Spaying your cat will reduce the number of unwanted kittens in the world. If you don’t spay your cat, she may become pregnant and have a litter of kittens. Unwanted litters are bad for both the cats and their owners because they need extra care and attention that many people cannot provide, so it’s better to prevent them than to deal with them later on.
The spaying of your cat has many benefits.
Spaying your cat has many benefits. It prevents diseases, cancer and the overpopulation of cats. A spayed cat is also less likely to suffer from unwanted pregnancies or difficult labor that may cause pain and suffering. By having your pet spayed, you’ll be preventing her from having kittens that she would have to care for herself or leave abandoned in shelters. Also, spaying will not only prevent the suffering of unwanted kittens but also the suffering of cats who are euthanized because there aren’t enough homes for them all.
By choosing to have your pet fixed before it’s too late and using these tips on how to make sure your cat gets along with other animals after surgery (whether they’re dogs or other cats), you’ll have peace of mind knowing that everything went smoothly during their procedure!
Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article you are now convinced of the benefits of spaying your cat.