If you are considering spaying or neutering a cat, and you still have questions about this, this ‘ Pets Feed’ article will provide you with all the information and advice you need to know about this operation.
Cat Neutering FAQ
You’ve adopted an adorable cat, and everyone in your family loves it, it’s fantastic! When your kitten is still too beautiful and too small, it is difficult to imagine it with its own kittens.
However, when your cat reaches sexual maturity between four and six months, you wonder! Therefore, as the caretaker of your pet, you should consider neutering your cat early on.
Spaying cats means that your cat will not be able to reproduce and will be protected from certain diseases.
What does neuter mean?
Neutering is a common and usual operation that involves the removal of your cat’s sexual reproductive organs. It is also called “spaying” for females and “castration” for males.
For females, spaying involves removing the ovaries and the 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?
Neutering or spaying operations is very simple and your cat will be anesthetized to make sure that he does not feel any pain during the procedure.
After the operation, the veterinarian will treat your cat with pain reliever injections to help relieve postoperative discomfort. You should also be given anti-inflammatory and pain relievers to give them to your cat at home.
Since the procedure is much less invasive in males, they will only need medication for one day. Females will need medication for about three days to help them recover as quickly and as easily as possible.
Why should I neuter my cat?
Neutering a cat has many benefits for your pet. For example, your cat will be less likely to contract certain illnesses and avoid unwanted pregnancies. Other benefits of neutering your cat include:
- Stop malicious behavior related to sexual maturity, such as spraying urine to mark their territory.
- Neutered cats are less likely to move away from their homes, which protects them from the risk of a traffic accident and from fighting with other cats.
- Your pet may become more affectionate. Cats often become more friendly.
- A reduced risk of contracting certain diseases, such as feline leukemia or feline AIDS.
- Less likely that your cat will develop a uterine (uterine) infection.
- If female cats are spayed at an early age, they are less likely to develop breast cancer.
When should I neuter my cat?
We recommend that you neuter your kitten before it reaches sexual maturity and cannot have its own kittens. This usually occurs between four and six months. You will be able to recognize when your cat will reach puberty, as cats will meow intensely and males may spray urine to mark their territory.
Some shelters and veterinarians recommend sterilizing the cat at an early age, from 12 weeks or even earlier.
To protect your cat from unwanted pregnancies or to train him, keep him at home until he is sterilized.
Myth: You may have heard that it is good for cats to have a litter of kittens before being neutered, but, in reality, this is not true.
How can I organize myself 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 exam before the operation.
Your veterinarian will ask you not to feed your cat the night before anesthesia. Store water normally, but remove it the morning of the operation to avoid drinking before the procedure.
Normally, you will need to leave your cat with the veterinarian in the morning and pick him up later.
What happens if I can’t afford the cost of neutering?
If you want to neuter your cat and you can’t afford it, talk to local animal keepers. Some animal keepers directly plan funding for neutering, which can help cover the costs of neutering a cat.
What postoperative care will my cat need after being neutered?
All cats tend to be a little tired after their operation, but they will quickly regain their normal vitality. Apart from that, the recovery process varies by gender, since the operations are different. There are several things you can do to help your hairy child heal after neutering.
- Males
Neutering should have little to no side effects in males.
Stay close to your cat on his first night after the operation, just in case.
Your veterinarian should give you anti-inflammatory and pain reliever medications for your cat, although they may only need it one day.
You can go out normally the next day.
- Females
As the neutering operation 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 medicines for your cat: She will have to take them about three days after the operation.
Your cat should wear a “cone” or Elizabethan collar to avoid licking or biting the stitches.
The veterinarian will schedule the revisions three and ten days after your pet’s operation. Keep your cat at home until the veterinarian approves you after ten days. By then, the cat can play outside normally.
If non-absorbable stitches are applied, the veterinarian will give you an appointment to remove them again. It is usually 7-10 days after the operation.
What changes can I expect after cat neutering?
- Weight gain
Sometimes neutering is linked to weight gain. Although the operation is not entirely responsible for the cat’s weight gain, it can prevent them from going astray in search of a partner. This means that they move less and can gain some weight.
If you notice that your pet is gaining weight, you can exercise it by playing with it or by walking with a harness.
- Urinary tract problems
After neutering, your pet will be more likely to develop urinary problems. If you detect a change in your cat’s urine habits, such as urinating more often, squatting without urinating or urinating blood, talk to your veterinarian.
What should I keep in mind if I don’t neuter my cat?
- Your cat will be in heat about every three weeks once she has reached sexual maturity. During the heat, he can meow loudly and be very agitated, which can make family life at home difficult.
- When your female cat is in heat, you will have to be very careful to protect her from males in love with the area and to prevent her from getting pregnant.
- Your cat can have up to three litters per year, with a maximum of six kittens in each litter. This can be very costly.
- Your male cat may be more prone to move away from home, which increases the risk of a road accident.
- Unsterilized males tend to be more aggressive and are more likely to fight with other cats. They are at risk of injury and the spread of disease.
- Unsterilized females are at greater risk of developing breast tumors (breast cancer) around the age of 6 to 7 years. Check regularly for a lump in your cat’s chest and, if you find something that worries you, talk to your veterinarian.
What should I do if I think my cat is already pregnant?
- As a rule, cats do not show any obvious physical symptoms before reaching the second or third week of pregnancy.
- If you think your cat may be pregnant, contact your veterinarian to remove the doubt as soon as possible.
- Your cat may be sterilized during pregnancy, which will interrupt her pregnancy and prevent her from getting pregnant again.
- Your veterinarian should give you more information on 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.