The Pros & Cons of Spaying/Neutering in Cats - by Sunny Thornton

So, it's time to focus on spaying or neutering your kitten. But you're not sure if it's the right thing to do? You're wondering if you should leave your cat as nature intended? Let's consider the positives & negative factors so that you can make an informed decision:

Your pet is approximately 12 weeks old....the ideal time to spay or neuter. You've heard that you need to wait until your female cat has had her first heat? Not so....in fact, spaying her sooner will provide a faster recovery time for your cat!

What is neutering? It is a procedure to "de-sex" a male animal. The process greatly controls unwanted pet population growth, reduces or eliminates unwanted sexual behavior in cats, and decreases the possibility of certain disease conditions later in life.

Castration is a term used to describe the removal of the testicles in male animals. Spaying is a term used to describe the sterilization procedure in females, most often, the removal of both ovaries and the uterus. Both procedures must be performed under general anesthesia and both involve a surgical incision.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF SPAYING FEMALE CATS......

** Removes the risk of pregnancy:
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem and by allowing your pet to procreate you are adding to that problem. Finding safe and permanent homes (Click, "Read More") for new kittens is not as easy as you may think. If you decide to keep the kittens, you will be incurring the cost of additional food, toys, vaccines, regular medical checkups, feline dental care and parasite control for the lifetime of several more pets. In addition to these costs, the health of the mother can can be in jeopardy during each delivery. Some cats can experience serious complications during delivery or develop health problems while nursing. All of these potential problems can be avoided by spaying your cat!

** Spaying makes for a calmer cat:
Without the urge to mate, your cat will be calmer, quieter, and won't suffer the overwhelming urge to seek for a mate - no more "cat calls" and writhing, etc. The spayed female no longer attracts males with all their "calling", spraying and agressive behavior (a cleaner yard for you!) These females tend to be more gentle and affectionate than their unspayed counterparts.

**Spaying keeps your cat Healthier:
A final positive factor in spaying your cat is that she will tend to have fewer health problems later on. Without ovaries/uterus, the risk of ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive organs is no longer a concern.

NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF SPAYING or NEUTERING

**Spaying/Neutering May Cause Weight Gain:
Some cats gain weight after sterilization (and as they grow older). Unaltered animals typically have a strong mating desire and expend a great deal of energy to this end. Without this burden, your cat may become too sedintary. Cutting back on the amount of food offered or changing to a lower-fat food will be beneficial. Most importantly, increasing your pet's activity level though additional play time or harnessed walks will be a big help. Remember, just as with humans, your cat needs to burn the claories that she takes in to maintain a healthy weight.

POSITIVE ASPECTS OF NEUTERING MALE CATS........

** Removes the risk of pregnancy:
Pet overpopulation is a serious problem.....See paragraph 1 under, "Positive aspects of Spaying".........if you still don't get it, see paragraph 1 AGAIN!

** Neutering makes for a Cleaner, Calmer Male Pet:
Another positive aspect of neutering is that your male pet will be calmer and no longer feel the need to seek out a mate. He will not experience the stress of needing to mark his territory (your home & yard) by urinating on everything! He will feel the desire to roam less, and get into fewer fights with other animals which lessens the chance of disease. A neutered male tends to be more gentle and affectionate as well.

** Neutering Keeps Your Cat Healthier:
Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer and issue, and the risk of prostate cancer is reduced by up to 87%.

You may have noticed that I mentioned a lessened desire to roam........ALL cats have this desire to some degree. As a responsible pet companion it is up to you to curb this desire. Your cat should be kept indoors at all times, or at least strictly supervised in your yard. Before you tell me that, "Kitty just wants to be Free" remember.....your 3 year old child probably wants to be "free" also. Free to run in a parking lot or on your block. You would never dream of allowing your child this freedom, so why would you allow your pet the "freedom" to be hit by a car, attacked by a larger predator, or taken by another person????

Last year approximately 17 million animals were turned over to animal shelters....these were the unfortunate ones. Only 1 in 10 found a home. What this means is that 13-1/2 million cats & dogs had to be destroyed. The sad part is that this is totally unnecessary! Much of the problem can be eliminated by simple surgery. Spaying & Neutering operations are performed under general anesthesia. It is quite painless and recovery is quick and easy in nearly all cases. Pet owners can and should help to ease the plight of unwanted and homeless creatures.

Next month's topic: Should I declaw my Kitty?