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At Stella & Chewys, we care about your cat and we want it to live a long, happy, and healthy life! Unless your cat has serious health problems, its always a great choice to spay or neuter. The benefits of fixing your feline far outweigh the risks and could mean more time together. To learn more, visit Our Blog: For the Pet Obsessedor send us an email at .
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I Have Unneutered Female And Male Cats In My Household What Should I Do To Avoid Unwanted Pregnancies
If you have an unneutered male and female in the same household, have them neutered as soon as they reach 4 months old. If this isnt possible, and your female cat comes on heat, its essential to keep your cats apart at all times to stop them from mating. Please remember that related cats will mate, including brothers, sisters, fathers and daughters.
Benefits Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat
According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, veterinary advisor with petMD, spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of mammary cancer. She says that this condition is especially serious in cats since feline mammary cancers tend to be very aggressive in comparison to other species.
Spayed female cats also cannot develop ovarian and uterine cancers or a potentially fatal uterine infection called a pyometra, Coates adds. Other health-related issues related to spaying include negating the possibility of the complications that can occur with pregnancy and birthing.
For male cats, Coates says that the benefits of neutering are primarily behavioral, although the procedure does eliminate the possibility that a cat will develop testicular cancer as he ages.
Anyone who as ever tried living with an intact male cat will tell you that the vocalizations, escape attempts, roaming, fighting and urine spraying associated with normal tom cat behavior can get old really quick, she says.
Feline AIDS and leukemia can both be spread between cats through bites, often spurred on by sexual competition, says Coates. So, reducing the urge to mate also reduces the likelihood that your cat will contract one of these oftentimes fatal infections.
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Our Kitten Is Going To Have Her Microchip Done At The Same Time She Is Neutered When Is The Best Time To Get Them Neutered From
I’m so glad you have asked this question as there are some common misconceptions out there about when is the best time to neuter cats.
Cats are capable of becoming parents as early as four months old, when they hit puberty. Cats Protection, along with many other charities, as well as the British Veterinary Association recommends that cats get neutered at the age of four months or sooner to prevent any unwanted litters. There are some myths out there that cats must be allowed to have one litter first, and this is totally untrue. Cats can lead happy, healthier lives when neutered, as neutering prevents the onset of some cancers and sexually transmitted disease, as well as diseases caught through cat fights. Cats are less likely to fight and roam if neutered. Find out more at: www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering
Why Should I Spay Or Neuter My Cat
One of the major reasons for spaying or neutering your cat is to prevent births that you did not plan for, which helps reduce cat overpopulation.
At any particular time, millions of felines end up on the streets every year.
Only a precious few get adopted while the rest are either euthanized or die from a disease, trauma, starvation, or exposure to extreme temperatures.
Several stray animals are shot, poisoned, mutilated, set on fire, tortured, or killed in other painful ways.
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Unaltered Cats Need To Be Fixed Or Bred
I dont want to fix my cat because its not natural
Actually, whats not natural is keeping an intact cat as a pet, and then preventing him/her from breeding! Its not fair to them, its not natural, and its dangerous to their health.
By removing the reproductive organs, you remove the need to reproduce. Your cat wont have the desire and wont know any differently.
I dont want to fix my cat because it could cause behavior change
If you mean your cat is no longer going to be ruled by hormones, making your life miserable, youre correct!
If you think your cat is going to get fat and lazy because they lost their reproductive organs, thats not the case. Sure, they will not have the desire to roam for a mate all hours of the day and night, and may need a new method of exercise, but if youre practicing portion control with feeding and regular play, weight wont be an issue.
Im worried about the safety or expense of the procedure
The surgery is minimally invasive for a male, and more invasive for a female. But its extremely common and routine, and only has to be done once. Complications are uncommon, but if youre worried, do your research and find a vet you can trust to do an excellent job on the surgery. Then, follow their advice with post-care.
The expense? Its part of owning a pet, and simply has to be done. If you want an inexpensive option, you can find a clinic to do it for you.
How Does Neutering Work
Neutering removes the sex hormone production from cats.
In males it removes the ability to produce sperm which can fertilise female cats.
In female cats the ovaries and uterus are removed. This removes the ability to produce fertile eggs and to become pregnant.
The procedure itself is performed by a vet. Neutering both male and female cats is a routine operation and is very safe. Complication rates from the surgery are very low and the vast majority of cats recover very quickly indeed. The procedure is done under general anaesthetic, so your cat is completely asleep and shouldnt feel a thing.
Neutering is typically performed as a day procedure, so your cat will go to the vet in the morning and come home that same day in the afternoon or evening.
Your vet may advise you to do a blood test before the anaesthetic to check that everything is as it should be, and may also advise that your cat goes on a drip during the procedure. You should always discuss this with your vet who can advise you on the specifics for your cat. For most routine neuterings it is not required to do these things.
I typically tell owners to expect that their cat will come home feeling hungover for that evening. But usually the following day cats are back to pretty much normal! Im always amazed by how fast cats bounce back from neutering. Male cats in particular are often more or less back to their normal selves later that same day!
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How Can I Make My Maine Coon Grow Bigger
There are too many breeders that sell Maine Coon hybrids that do not get as huge as normal Maine Coon cats. Further feeding the right food and neutering or spaying your cat can help to accelerate growth. Don´t be worried if your Maine Coon is not as big as you thought it would be with one year of age.
What Does It Mean To Neuter A Cat
Neutering is a surgical procedure which will prevent your cat from reproducing. In female felines this is called spaying and involves removing the kittys ovaries and uterus. In males its referred to as neutering or castration and means your male fur friends testes will be removed.
When you take your kitten to be neutered, they will be placed under a general anaesthetic for the operation. Although your kitty will experience some discomfort , most cats are up and active just a few hours after the surgery.
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What If I Think My Cat Is Already Pregnant
Most cats dont display physical symptoms until two or three weeks into a pregnancy. If you suspect a pregnancy, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. Some vets neuter female cats while theyre pregnant, ending the pregnancy and preventing future pregnancies at the same time. To find out more, ask your vet about their policies regarding spaying.
Cats Protection Advise Neutering Your Cat At Four Months Of Age Or Younger Find Out More About Kitten Neutering In Our Guide Or Find A Vet
Often, cats are neutered too late in life which unfortunately contributes to the number of unwanted cats in the UK.
If you dont want to find yourself with extra cats and extra cost, we recommend that your pet cat is neutered at four months of age or younger. It is important that the procedure is done before the cat begins puberty, preventing any unplanned pregnancies.
Want to know more about what kitten neutering involves? Watch our video. Search below to find a vet on our neutering database or learn more about neutering in our Help and advice pages.
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Should I Let My Cat Have A Litter Of Kittens First
Honestly? No. There are no proven health benefits to letting your cat have a litter of kittens before getting her neutered. It just means youll have a lot of kittens on your hands you need to find loving homes for! There are already so many cats and kittens in rehoming centres across the UK, so its best to get your cat neutered.
If you have more questions about neutering, its best to talk to your vet for advice. We also have a handy page of common neutering myths so you can get the facts about neutering.
What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the cornerstones of pet ownership in the United States. ASPCA statistics place the U.S. pet cat population at anywhere between 74 and 96 million and there may be as many as 70 million strays fending for themselves. Unfortunately, the ASPCA also estimates that 41 percent of cats who enter shelters cannot find a home and end up being euthanized. Breeders, shelters and rescue groups team up with vets and their staff to stem the tide of cat overpopulation but its bound to be a continuing battle for the foreseeable future.
If you find yourself with a new kitten in your household, spaying or neutering is something youll need to be thinking about soon. But at what age is it appropriate to spay or neuter a cat? More importantly, why should you consider having the procedure done at all?
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Does Early Spay/neuter Lead To Undesirable Behavior
A prospective 2014 study evaluated postsurgical behavioral issues in cats.19 Porters et al. randomly divided 800 cats into 2 groups: sterilized at 8 to 12 weeks or at 6 to 9 months of age. Researchers tracked undesirable behaviors from immediately after adoption up to 24 months after adoption and found no evidence that age at the time of sterilization had an effect on the number of or occurrence of undesirable behaviors.
Whens The Best Time To Have My Kitten Neutered
Ideally, you should have your kitten neutered around puberty in male cats, this is between six to twelve months old. Male cats tend to reach sexual maturity, and therefore begin looking for a mate, between seven and twelve months old. Neutering can be done successfully from as young as three months. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on the best time for your kitten.
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At What Age Should I Spay/neuter My Cat
You can take your kitten to the veterinarian for spaying/neutering as young as eight weeks old.
Performing the procedure this early drastically reduces the potential for complications.
Experience and case studies have shown that cats that undergo the procedure between eight weeks and six months of age have a lower risk of physical or behavioral problems, as compared with those that go through the surgery later.
Spaying or neutering your kitty early may prevent destructive behaviors before they occur. If it is not yet done, you should consider spaying or neutering any pet with a behavior problem, regardless of age. Consult with your veterinary behaviorist or veterinarian for further information.
In most animal shelters, the surgery is often performed at eight weeks so that kittens can be sterilized before adoption. To avoid urine spraying and eliminate the chance for pregnancy, its recommended that you schedule the surgery before your cat reaches five months of age. You can spay a female cat while shes in heat.
Can You Spey A Cat In Heat
Yes, although speying a cat in heat isnt quite as simple as a routine spey, its done regularly by most vets. Speying during a heat is a little more risky is because the blood vessels around their womb tend to be a bit larger and more likely to bleed. This means the operation is slightly more risky and can take a little longer.
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How Should I Care For My Cat After Hes Been Neutered
Neutering care is generally simple since the procedure is minimally invasive. In addition, its considered a routine outpatient procedure, meaning your cat will go home the same day the procedure is done.
Your vet will keep your cat for a few hours after the procedure to ensure that he isnt having an adverse reaction to anything given to him during the procedure. Then, hell be free to go home and relax in your arms.
Your cat will need a cone of shame following his procedure. This cone will prevent him from licking at the sutures and disturbing the healing process with his grooming habits. So even if its a little uncomfortable for him, its for his good.
The procedure should take 57 days to heal properly if done through a simple neuter procedure. However, if your cat had to be neutered with a full abdominal procedure, it would take 1015 days to heal properly.
Spaying And Neutering: The Bottom Line
Spaying and neutering can help keep your cat healthier and safer and you dont end up with more kittens than you can count. To be on the safe side, get your cat spayed or neutered before theyre six months old. If youre wondering when to spay a cat or when to neuter a cat, speak to your local veterinarian.
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Reasons For Neutering Female Cats
- Population control. It is important to neuter a female cat before she can have kittens herself. This happens very quickly depending on breed, time of year born and individual development. The first season usually occurs around six months but can be earlier. Queens can have up to three litters in a year.
- Control of nuisance. Female cats will call regularly, about every three weeks during sexually active times of the year if they do not get pregnant. Having entire female cats in an area will attract entire males with the attendant problems of spraying, fighting and caterwauling.
- Welfare issues. Unwanted kittens may not be cared for and are likely to suffer from various infectious diseases such as cat flu or worse. There are unlikely to be enough new homes available for them.
- Health issues. Female cats which are not neutered are more likely to suffer from pyometra later in life and with mammary tumours. Queens with infectious diseases may pass these on to their kittens. Pregnancy and birth are also not without risk.
- Wildlife issues. Cats with kittens will hunt more actively and if they are not being fed will need to catch more wildlife to feed their kittens.
Neutering Your Cat Key Facts
- Neutering means surgically preventing cats from reproducing
- Its recommended that cats are neutered at around four months old
- Neutered animals might have slightly lower food requirements so you just need to feed them a little less
Neutering your cat can have really great benefits, both to them and to you! Plus youll be helping to tackle the growing crisis of pets being abandoned, dumped and given away because there arent enough homes to go around.
What is cat neutering?
Neutering means surgically preventing cats from reproducing. In males, the operation is called castration and in females its called spaying.
With castration both testicles are removed which takes away the main source of the male hormone testosterone. With spaying, both the ovaries and the uterus are removed which means the female is unable to become pregnant.
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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.
Should I Neuter My Cat
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One of the responsibilities of owning a cat is ensuring that he or she is neutered or spayed. This is important to prevent an accidental litter of kittens, but also to protect the health of your pet!
For purebred cats, its part of a pet contract.
When you purchase a Bengal cat, its usually in the contract that you must spay or neuter the kitten before a certain age, if it has not already been done by the breeder before you bring the kitten home.
Most people assume this is to protect the breederif the buyer did not pay for breeding rights , they should not be allowed to breed their cat.
While the requirement to spay/neuter is, in part, to prevent an accidental litter of kittens, many pet owners are unaware that there are also very real health dangers to unaltered cats that will not be bred.
Spaying or neutering is also essential to your cats health and happiness!
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