Cat
Neutering
Strangely,
people are much more reluctant to neuter their male cats than to spay their
females. However, a neutered pet is more manageable and is usually a
happier pet.
Unlike
female cats, the males of the species are always ready to mate. They
need only to detect the scent of a female in heat to go out in search of her,
exposing themselves to many dangers. The mature, unaltered tom cat has
an uncontrollable desire to roam and fight, and his litter box will always
have a strong odour. If you keep him inside, he may begin spraying urine
to mark his territory. The spray has a highly offensive odour which
is almost impossible to wash away.
Neutering
substantially reduces the animal's desire to roam and usually eliminates spraying.
If a male cat is neutered at a young age he will probably never spray;
if the cat has an established habit of spraying, it may (in isolated cases)
continue after neutering but the strong odour will not be present. Neutered
cats are much less likely to fight.
Neutering
(castration) is the surgical removal of the testes, a safe and simple operation.
Your cat can be neutered at virtually any age, but it is preferable to have
it done before puberty, at approximately 6 months of age.
After
surgery the cat will have a more even disposition and will no longer experience
stress related to his thwarted desire to breed and fight with rivals.
Cat
Spaying
Cats
have been close companions of humans for well over 5,000 years. Over
that period they have become perfectly adapted to domestic life, totally unsuited
for the wild. As man was the one to domesticate these animals, so is
he responsible for their health and well-being. It follows that we must
take serious measures to curb the current cat over-population problem (hundreds
of unwanted cats die on the streets from disease and starvation, while many
others must be euthanized by Humane Societies). Preventing unwanted
litters which will have to be destroyed is just one important reason to spay
your female pet. There are other reasons more beneficial to you and
your cat.
A
spayed female never goes into heat. She is less likely to roam and male
cats will not wage war over her on your front porch. Furthermore, the
altered cat leads a longer and healthier life than her unsterilized counterpart.
Once spayed, a cat will not be subject to many health problems such as ovarian
cysts, uterine infections, tumours of the womb and ovaries, abortion, queening
difficulties, caesarian section, ruptured uterus, pyometra, false pregnancy
or mild fever. Nor is she likely to develop mammary cancer. In
addition you have the problems of providing the extra care a pregnant or nursing
queen needs. Properly looking after litters of kittens is also time
consuming and costly.
Spay
surgery (ovariohysterectomy) is a safe and simple operation. Your pet
should be spayed at six months of age, although this is not the only time,
just the earliest.
(Reproduced
with permission from the
Toronto Humane Society's
Animal Talk Newsletter.)
