Should I Spay or Neuter My Cat?
Should I spay or neuter my cat? If so, at what age? How will its behavior change? These are questions frequently asked by cat owners. Sometimes we are not sure when we should spay or neuter a cat, if we have to wait until it is an adult, or if it is better as a kitten. Let's try to clarify some doubts.
Spaying or neutering involves the removal of the testicles in males and the ovaries and uterus in females. In females, sometimes only the ovaries are removed, depending on the type of surgery. This way, heat does not occur and, consequently, the animal does not reproduce.
At What Age are Cats Spayed or Neutered?
The truth is that on the subject of ages for the spaying or neutering of cats, there is a disparity of opinions. Experts agree that the minimum age to spay or neuter a cat is 2 months. The kitten you want to neuter, no matter how rushed you are, must be at least 8 weeks old to undergo spaying or neutering surgery.
But besides that, there are veterinarians who recommend neutering your cat once the animal is already an adult, or at least has already had some heat or is sexually mature (normally around 8 months). This was mostly a more traditional point of view, and the truth is that it is hardly ever followed anymore.
Nowadays, neutering or spaying surgeries are usually done just before sexual maturity, around 5 months of age. The reason is that as they are sterilized before they are mature, they will never have gone into heat in the case of females, nor will they have come to mark with urine inside the house, in the case of males. Furthermore, if your cats have access to the street, you will prevent them from escaping for “love” reasons.
On the other hand, if our cat is an adult, it is possible to sterilize it at any time, as long as it is healthy. Otherwise, it will be the expert or veterinarian who will set a date for us as soon as it is recovered. In adult cats with relevant pathologies, the advantages and disadvantages of neutering or spaying the cat must be assessed before making a decision.
Advantages of Neutering or Spaying Your Cat
Neutering or spaying your cat has many advantages. First and foremost, it prevents the risk of unwanted pregnancies and helps reduce the stray cat population. In addition, it reduces the probability that your cat will suffer from certain diseases and behave in an unsociable way.
In females, spaying eliminates the risk of diseases related to the ovaries or uterus, such as cancer, pyometra, polycystic ovaries and metritis. It also reduces the risk of hormone-induced diseases, such as breast cancer or false pregnancies. In addition, it can reduce interest in male cats and their propensity to be overly affectionate or aggressive.
In males, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular-related diseases, such as cancer, and reduces the risk of testosterone-induced diseases, such as prostatitis, perianal adenomas and hernias, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. Furthermore, it reduces the likelihood that he will urinate where he shouldn't and exhibit other territorial behaviors, such as fighting with other cats. In addition, it reduces the tendency to wander far from home.
In both females and males, castration also prevents the spread of genetically transmitted diseases and sexual frustration.
If you are thinking about spaying or neutering your cat, talk to one of our Pet Experts and get customized advice by submitting a request through our Mavyn website.