Spaying and Neutering to Stop Cats Mating

Spaying and neutering is the most efficient way to stop cats from mating. Unfortunately, a lot of unwanted cats and kittens end up in shelters or on the streets and the number of cats is still on the rise. A female cat can give birth twice per year and each time there can be 2 to 8 kittens. Finding homes for all these kittens is impossible, so you need to prevent cats from mating.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying is the sterilization procedure for female cats; it involves the removal of the ovaries of the cat and is also known as ovariohysterectomy.

The sterilization of males, also known as orchectomy involves the removal of the cat’s testicles.

Neutering is the general term that may be used both for males and females, while spaying only refers to the procedure of ovariohysterectomy.

By neutering or spaying your cat, he or she will be sterile and won’t be able to mate or become pregnant, so you can control the number of kittens your cat brings to world.

The neutering procedure is recommended as early as possible in your cat’s life; ideally, you should neuter your cat before he or she reaches sexual maturity, which can happen at the age of 6 months or when the cat is 1 year old, depending on the cat’s breed and environmental conditions. However, the neutering surgery can be done at any time in the cat’s life. The procedure is typically not recommended while the cat is in heat.

The procedure is easy and can be done as an outpatient surgery; the cat will be placed under anesthesia and the ovaries or the testicles will be removed within 1 hour. If the cat is older or has already had kittens, the procedure may be more complicated.

Laser beam surgery for neutering cats can also be an option, but this may be pricier than the traditional surgery.

Additional Benefits of Neutering a Cat

Besides the fact that a neutered or spayed cat cannot mate, the procedure has additional benefits.

A spayed female will no longer get in heat and she will have no behavior changes related to the heat cycle.

A neutered male cat will also be less aggressive and won’t get into fights with other cats. Sexually mature cats often get in fights for territorial reasons and to conquer a female; when the cat is neutered, he will no longer be interested in mating. Cat fights can give your pet a lot of injuries and he may also get infected with different viruses through bites or scratches.

Both males and female cats that are not neutered can spray in the house to mark their territory and communicate their availability. Once a cat is neutered, the spraying should also stop.

Neutered cats will also be more affectionate and have less activity. You must prevent your cat from getting obese by reducing the calorie intake.

Some of the health benefits of neutering include the lower exposure to reproductive system cancers and lower risk of mammary gland tumors for female cats.

 

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