Now that your kitten is beginning to grow up, it's time to start thinking about when to have your feline friend spayed or neutered. In today's post, our Seattle vets explain how spaying or neutering will affect your cat and why we think these procedures are important.
Why should I get my cat fixed?
About 3.2 million cats end up in animal shelters across the United States each year, according to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Having your cat spayed or neutered is the absolute best way to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in Seattle area shelters.
However, the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet don't stop at population control. Getting your cat fixed can help to curb many undesirable behaviors cats may exhibit and help to reduce the risk of your cat developing numerous serious health conditions.
When should I get my cat fixed?
Kittens can be neutered or spayed as young as six to eight weeks of age. However, standard spay and neuter procedures are often performed when a kitten is between five and six months old.
That said, it's important to note that these procedures can also be performed on healthy adult cats. Your vet can examine your cat and provide advice on when it would be best to schedule a spay or neuter procedure.
What are spay and neuter procedures?
When we discuss getting a cat 'fixed', we're using a blanket term that covers both the spaying of female animals and the neutering of male animals.
Spaying Female Cats
A spayed cat's ovaries and uterus, or sometimes just the ovaries, of the female cat are removed surgically.
Your cat will not be able to have kittens after she has been spayed.
Neutering Male Cats
Neutering (sometimes called castration) refers to the removal of a male cat's testes. Your neutered male cat will not be able to father kittens.
What is involved in getting my cat fixed?
Here are the steps involved in spaying or neutering a cat:
- Your vet will conduct the appropriate diagnostic tests before surgery to ensure your pet is healthy enough to safely undergo the operation. Spay and neuter procedures are done using general anesthesia and typically take between 20 and 90 minutes to complete, depending on your pet's size and any specific medical considerations.
- Following anesthesia, the hair on your pet's abdomen will be shaved down and the skin thoroughly disinfected. The organs are then removed, either laparoscopically (with surgical lasers) or with a traditional scalpel, both of which are safe.
- After the procedure is complete, the vet will use skin glue, sutures (stitches) or surgical staples to close your pet's skin. Staples or stitches will need to be removed by your veterinarian 10 to 14 days after the procedure.
- While the actual procedure is relatively quick, you can generally expect your pet to spend a few hours at the hospital, allowing time for check-in, initial physical assessment, the surgery itself and time for recovery from anesthesia.
What can I expect after my cat has been fixed?
While most pets will begin to feel better in 24 to 48 hours, full recovery may take between 10 and 14 days. Keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump during this period, as this can cause their incision to reopen. Check the incision daily for signs of infection, which can include swelling, discharge, redness or foul odor. Contact your vet if you notice any of these.
Also, monitor your pet's behavior. If they still seem lethargic or are not eating or drinking after 48 hours, this could indicate infection. Take them to an emergency veterinarian for care or follow up with your primary vet.
Benefits of Spaying Your Female Cat
Population Control
Before she is even six months old, your tiny little kitten may actually be mature enough to have kittens of her own. By spaying your female cat before she reaches this age of maturity, you can help reduce the population of unwanted cats in your neighborhood. In addition, female cats can birth as many as four litters a year. When we consider that the average litter can range in size from two kittens (from a young mother) to as many as 10 kittens, that's a staggering number of potentially unwanted cats.
Animal Health Considerations
Spaying your kitten before she has her first heat can help to reduce her risk of pyometra (infection of the womb) as well as mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens who go on to spread the disease even further. Pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.
Save Wildlife
It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds each year. Keeping the number of homeless cats to a minimum can help save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.
Deter Nuisance Behaviors
Female cats who are not spayed will go into heat frequently throughout the year, attracting male cats from across the neighborhood to your home and garden. Unneutered male cats prowling around your property, looking for your female, can be problematic since these males have a tendency to spray, fight and caterwaul. Spaying your female cat can help to keep male cats out of your backyard.
Benefits of Neutering Your Male Cat
Population Control
While male cats don't actually have kittens themselves, one unneutered male cat in your neighborhood can make many female cats pregnant, potentially fathering dozens of kittens. That's why neutering male cats is as important as spaying females when it comes to population control!
Animal Health Considerations
Neutering your male cat may help slow the spread of serious cat diseases such as Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) that are often spread between cats during fights. Neutering can help to reduce cat aggression and may mean fewer injuries from fighting. Neutered males also tend to stay closer to home which helps to reduce their risk of being injured by vehicles.
Save Wildlife
In the USA it is estimated that our feline friends kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds each year. Reducing the number of homeless cats to a minimum can help save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife in your area.
Deter Nuisance Behaviors
Unneutered male cats typically spray inside the home more than neutered males and may be aggressive towards their owners. Having your male kitten neutered while young can help to prevent these behaviors from starting. Also, male cats who are not neutered, frequently roam over large areas in search of unspayed females to mate with. These males will spray to mark their territory and often fight with other male cats which can be bothersome, noisy, and smelly.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.