People always struggle with the idea of getting their pets fixed. Our vets in Denver are here to enlighten you about the advantages of having your cat fixed, which benefits both your feline companion and the community at large.
Should You Get Your Cat Fixed?
Absolutely, having your cats spayed or neutered is highly recommended. Animal shelters across Denver face a significant challenge due to the abundance of homeless cats and kittens. According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), approximately 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters in the US each year. By having your new kitten fixed, you actively contribute to reducing the number of homeless cats in your community.
When Should You Get Your Cat Fixed?
The ideal time to spay or neuter kittens is generally around four months of age, or before they reach sexual maturity. This early intervention provides the best protection against various health risks and helps prevent unwanted litter. It's worth noting that adult cats can also be spayed or neutered, even if they have already reached sexual maturity. Contact your local vet for more information on when is the best time to get surgery.
How Are Spaying And Neutering Different?
There are differences when it comes to spaying and neutering your cat because they are spay and neutering are different procedures for different gendered cats.
When a female cat is fixed 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. Male cats are neutered or castrated when they are fixed. This means that the vet surgically removes the cat's testicles so that your cat is no longer able to father kittens.
Benefits Of Spaying Your Female Cat
Controlling The Number Of Unwanted Cats
Female cats can reach sexual maturity as early as four to six months of age. This means that if left unspayed, they can potentially become pregnant and give birth to litters of kittens at a very young age. In fact, female cats can have multiple litters in a year, and each litter can consist of several kittens, ranging from a few to as many as 10 or more.
Limit Your Cat's Risk Of Disease
One of the notable benefits of early spaying is the significant reduction in the likelihood of developing mammary (breast) cancer. Studies have shown that cats spayed before their first heat cycle have a significantly lower risk of developing this type of cancer compared to those that are spayed later in life or left un spayed.
Protect Wildlife
In the USA it is estimated that cats kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds annually. By reducing the population of homeless cats, you are also helping to protect birds and other small animals.
Reduce Unwanted Behaviors
Spaying your female cat can help to keep male cats out of your backyard. When female cats are not spayed, they attract the attention of neighborhood male cats. Male cats that are not neutered can hang around your house and the garden can be problematic since these males tend to spray, fight and howl.
Benefits Of Neutering Your Male Cat
Here are a few benefits to neutering your male cat:
Reduced Numbers Of Unwanted Kittens
Neutering reduces the overall cat population and the strain on animal shelters and rescue organizations because it can help to prevent the birth of un wanted kittens.
Reduced Risk Of Many Common Health Issues
Neutering can help to reduce cat aggression and may mean fewer injuries from cat fights, and a reduced risk of your cat contracting FIV or FeLV. Neutering can also curb your male cat's tendency to roam, reducing his risk of being injured by a vehicle.
Helps To Reduce The Incidence Of Spraying
Neutering your male kitten at a young age can help prevent or significantly reduce certain unwanted behaviors, including spraying urine and excessive territorial or mating behaviors. Spraying urine is a common behavior in un neutered male cats that is driven by their natural instinct to mark their territory. By neutering your male kitten before he reaches sexual maturity, you can help prevent the onset of this behavior. Neutering removes the source of reproductive hormones that trigger the urge to mark territory through urine spraying.
