If you have adopted a new kitten or adult cat, you may be wondering if you should get your new fur-baby fixed. Our Liberty Lake vets explain why having your cat spayed or neutered is beneficial for your cat and your community.
Should you get your cat fixed?
Homeless cats and kittens are swarming Liberty Lake's animal shelters. Around 3.2 million cats are estimated to enter US animal shelters each year, according to an estimate from the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).
Not only will getting your new kitten fixed help to significantly reduce the number of homeless cats in your area, but it can also reduce your cat's risk of disease, and help to curb many undesirable cat behaviors.
When should you get your cat fixed?
The most effective defense against a variety of health risks is spaying and neutering kittens at four months before they reach sexual maturity. However, it is also possible to neuter or spay adult cats. Ask your vet for advice if you're unsure of the best time to have your cat fixed; they will be able to guide you in making that choice.
How are spaying and neutering different?
When we talk about getting a cat 'fixed' what does that actually mean?
Spay
When we fix female cats it's called spaying. Spaying means that the vet surgically removes the cat's uterus and ovaries, or sometimes just the ovaries so that your cat is unable to have kittens.
Neuter
Male cats are neutered or castrated when we get them fixed. This means that the vet surgically removes the cat's testes so that your cat is no longer able to father kittens.
Benefits of a Spayed Cat
Controlling the number of unwanted cats in your area
Before she is even six months old, your adorable new kitten might be able to breed. Additionally, female cats can have up to four litters per year, with each litter containing up to 10 kittens. This implies that up to 40 kittens could be born to your cat each year! Such a large number of unwanted cats.
Reduce your cat's risk of disease
Having your kitten spayed before her first heat cycle can lower your cat's risk of developing breast cancer later in life and eliminate the possibility of pyometra (a potentially fatal womb infection).
Protect wildlife in your neighborhood
Cats are estimated to kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds per year in the United States. By reducing the number of homeless cats, you are also helping to protect birds and other small animals.
Deter unwanted behaviors
Male cats can be kept out of your backyard by spaying your female cat. Unspayed female cats attract the attention of male cats in the neighborhood.Unneutered male cats can be a nuisance in your home and garden because they spray, fight, and howl.
Benefits of a Neutered Cat
Reduced numbers of unwanted kittens
Numerous female cats can become pregnant from one unneutered male cat. The number of feral cats in your neighborhood can be significantly decreased by neutering your male cat.
Reduced risk of many common health issues
The risk of your cat contracting FIV or FeLV can be decreased thanks to neutering, which can also help to lessen cat aggression and possibly lead to fewer cat fight injuries. Your male cat's propensity to roam lessens with neutering, lowering his risk of being hurt by a car.
Helps to reduce the incidence of spraying
Male cats who haven't been neutered typically spray urine inside the house more frequently and attempt to leave the house more frequently. In order to stop spraying and other territorial and mating behaviors from developing, have your male kitten neutered while he is still a young kitten.