If you are planning to neuter your cat, and you still have questions about it, Pets Feed can provide you with information and advice about this operation.
Cats and kittens Neutering FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
You have adopted an adorable cat, and all the members of your family love it, it’s fantastic! When your kitten is still too beautiful and too small, it is difficult to imagine his own kittens.
However, when your cat reaches sexual maturity between four and six months, you are wondering! Therefore, as the person in charge of your pet, you should consider Neutering your cat from the beginning.
Cat Neutering means that your cat can not reproduce and will be protected from certain diseases.
What does it mean to neuter a cat?
Neutering is a common and routine procedure that involves the removal of your cat’s sexual reproductive organs. It is also called “sterilization” for females and “castration” for males.
For females, sterilization involves removing the ovaries and uterus, although sometimes only the ovaries are removed. This is usually done by a small excision on the left side and can also be done below, longitudinally.
For males, the procedure involves the removal of their testicles. The procedure is simpler in males and does not require stitches.
Will neutering hurt my cat?
The neutering operation is very simple and your cat will be anesthetized to make sure he feels no pain during the procedure.
After the operation, the veterinarian will treat your cat with analgesic injections to help relieve postoperative discomfort. You should also receive anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to give them to your cat at home.
As the procedure is much less invasive in males, they will need medication for only one day. Females will need medication for about three days to help them recover as quickly and easily as possible.
Why should I neuter my cat?
The sterilization of a cat has many benefits for your pet. For example, your cat will be less likely to contract certain diseases and avoid unwanted pregnancies. Other benefits of neutering your cat include:
- Stop the malicious behavior of sexual maturity, such as spraying urine to mark their territory.
- Sterilized cats are less likely to move away from home, protecting them from the risk of road accidents and fighting with other cats.
- Your pet may become more affectionate. Cats often become friendlier.
- Reduced risk of contracting certain diseases, such as feline leukemia or feline AIDS.
- Less likely your cat develops uterine infection (uterine).
- If cats are sterilized at an early age, they are less likely to develop breast cancer.
When should I sterilize my cat?
We recommend that you sterilize your kitten before it reaches sexual maturity and can not have its own kittens. This usually occurs between four and six months. You will be able to recognize when your cat will reach puberty because the cats will meow with intensity and males may spray urine to mark their territory.
Some shelters and vets recommend neutering the cat at an early age, starting at 12 weeks or even earlier.
To protect your cat from unwanted pregnancy or training, keep it at home until it is sterilized.
Myth: You may have heard that it’s good for cats to have a litter of kittens before being neutered, but in reality that’s not true.
How can I get organized to neuter my cat?
To neuter your cat, you will need to make an appointment with your veterinarian. It is recommended to take your cat for a pre-anesthetic examination before the operation.
Your veterinarian will ask you not to feed your cat the night before anesthesia. Keep the water normally, but remove it in the morning of the operation to avoid drinking before the procedure.
Normally you will have to leave your cat at the vet in the morning and pick it up later.
What happens if I can not afford the cost of sterilization?
If you want to neuter your cat and you can not afford it, talk to the local animal protectors. Some animal shelters plan the financing of sterilization directly, which can help you cover the cost of sterilizing a cat.
What postoperative care will my cat need after being sterilized?
All cats tend to be a little tired after their operation, but they will soon regain their normal vitality. Apart from this, the recovery process varies by sex because the operations are different. There are many things you can do to help your hairy child heal after sterilization.
The males
- Sterilization should have little or no side effects in males.
- Stay close to him on his first night after the operation, just in case.
- Your veterinarian should give you anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for your cat, although it only needs one day.
- You can go out normally the next day.
The females
- Since castration is more invasive, females need more time to recover.
- Stay close to her the first night after the operation, just in case.
- Your veterinarian will provide you with anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications for your cat: It should take them about three days after the operation.
- Your cat should wear a “cone” or Elizabethan collar to avoid licking or biting stitches.
- The veterinarian will schedule revisions three and ten days after your pet’s operation. Keep your cat home until the vet approves you after 10 days. By then, the cat can play outside normally.
- If nonabsorbable spots are applied, the vet will give you an appointment to remove them again. It is usually 7 to 10 days after the operation.
What changes can I expect after cat sterilization?
- Weight gain
Sometimes sterilization is linked to weight gain. Although the operation is not entirely responsible for the weight gain of cats, it can prevent them from wandering in search of a partner. This means that they move less and can gain a few pounds.
If you notice that your pet is gaining weight, you can have it exercised by playing with it or walking with a harness.
- Urinary tract problems
After sterilization, your pet will be more likely to develop urinary problems. If you detect a change in your cat’s urinary habits, such as urinating more often, squatting without urinating or urinating blood, talk to your veterinarian.
What should I keep in mind if I do not sterilize my cat?
- Your cat will be in heat about once every three weeks once it has reached sexual maturity. During the heat, it can meow hard and be very agitated, which can make family life difficult at home.
- When your female cat is in heat, you will need to be very careful to protect her from loving males in the area and to prevent her from getting pregnant.
- Your cat can have up to three litters a year, with up to six kittens in each litter. This can be very expensive.
- Your male cat may be more likely to move away from home, increasing the risk of a car accident.
- Non neutered males tend to be more aggressive and are more likely to fight with other cats. They are at risk of injury and spread of disease.
- Non neutered females are at increased risk of developing breast tumors (breast cancer) by age 6-7. Regularly check for lumps in your cat’s chest and if you find anything that worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
What should I do if I think my cat is already pregnant?
In general, cats do not have obvious physical symptoms until they reach the second or third week of pregnancy.
If you think your cat may be pregnant, contact your veterinarian to clear up the doubt as soon as possible.
Your cat may be sterilized during pregnancy, which will interrupt her pregnancy and prevent her from becoming pregnant again.
Your veterinarian should give you more information about neutering a cat during pregnancy to help you make a decision.
The sterilization of kittens and cats depends on your personal situation. Before making a decision, think about what is best for you and your cat.
Should a cat give birth at least once?
If you are not planning to take your pet cat, the best solution is to have it spayed. Contrary to popular belief, a cat should not give birth at least once in its life “for health.” Therefore, try not to delay the operation – empty heat is harmful.
But if you want to have kittens one or several times, and then have the cat sterilized, there is no problem with that. The only thing you need to know is that spaying a cat that has already given birth must necessarily include the removal of both the uterus and ovaries. If the cat has not given birth, sometimes only the ovaries are removed and the uterus is left (although this is not optimal – it is better to remove everything).
When do cats get spayed surgery?
Surgery is best done after puberty, usually between 7 and 9 months of age. It is undesirable to lead the animal to the operation right during estrus – wait until it ends. If for some reason your cat has not been vaccinated, be sure to get them, and only then sign up for the operation. After anesthesia, the cat’s body will be weakened, respectively, the risk of catching an infection, even if all precautions are taken, increases. Don’t risk it again, do everything according to the rules.
How much does spaying a cat cost?
The cost of an operation to sterilize a cat depends on what kind of operation will be performed (removal of the uterus and ovaries or only the ovaries), the availability of additional studies before the operation (for example, an ultrasound of the heart), postoperative rehabilitation (the cat will recover from anesthesia in the veterinary clinic, or will be given you immediately after surgery). In any case, the choice of a veterinary clinic for sterilizing a cat is not the case when it is worth starting from the price. Gather information by asking your friends, reading local forums, in general – look for a good veterinary clinic and experienced doctors.
How to choose food for a neutered cat?
In the line of any professional food, there are products designed for neutered cats. Buy good food for your cat and you will avoid possible health problems. It is highly discouraged to feed a sterilized cat with economy class food (Whiskas, Kiteket, etc.).