By spaying or neutering your cat, you will be able to help in controlling its homelessness crisis in pets. Millions of healthy cats are being euthanized in the United States every year cause there aren’t enough shelters for them to reside. There are many benefits of spaying female cats and neutering male cats. Explore why and when can you neuter a cat.
How Old Do Cats Have to be to Get Fixed?
So when it comes to how old do kittens have to be to get fixed? According to many veterinarians, healthy cats should get sterilized as young as eight weeks and are over two pounds of body weight. According to a well-known veterinarian, there are mainly three stages for spaying or neutering cats.
- At an early stage, spay/neuter gets done when the cat is of about 6 to 8 weeks of age.
- Or it is done around the second stage when a cat is about 5 to 6 months old.
- After about the first heat, somewhere between 8 to 12 months of age.
Increment in the procedure of spay/ neuter is because it is a humane and effective way to reduce the number of cats living on streets and improve health of those remaining. Not completing the surgery on time can result in overpopulation of cats, becoming a burden of euthanizing unwanted cats.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Cats
Spaying a female cat before she has her first heat is considered healthy. It helps to reduce her risk of pyometra (a type of infection in womb) and mammary cancers. Female cats sometimes carry infectious diseases that transfer to their kittens and further generations. Those female cats not spayed go in heat frequently throughout the year and attract other neighbouring unneutered male cats. It can be problematic since they tend to fight and caterwaul.
The best age to neuter male kitten is 6 week to 8 weeks. While in male cats neutering is done to prevent the spread of severe cat diseases such as Feline Leukemia virus (FeLV) and Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) that generally spread between cats during fights. The cat neutering also cures aggressive behaviour. And yes, of course, it is essential for population control. Also, unneutered cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house.
Why is it Essential for Cats to be Spayed or Neutered?
Female cats reproduce very frequently and in large numbers, the reason for overpopulation in cats leading to the idea of spay/neuter. This procedure to control population and euthanization. Pet cats live and interact with our family.
Young cats have the lowest risks and are less likely to have severe complications during surgery. And it makes spaying/neutering a requisite procedure as it increases their chance for longer and healthier life and helps decrease their aggressive behaviour.
Spayed vs Neutered – Difference Between Spay and Neuter in Cats
Getting your cat fixed is a term used for spay/neuter procedures in cats.
- Spaying: It is a sterilization procedure in cats where the uterus and ovaries of female cats are removed surgically. After this process, the female cat is not able to reproduce anymore.
- Neutering: Also known as castration, this sterilization procedure in male cats removes their testicles. After this surgery, your male cat will be unable to father the kittens. Neutering prevents unwanted kittens, roaming, fighting, and urine marking in house.
The best part of taking this surgery is that the cost of spayed or neutered surgery for your cat is much less than cost of having and caring for their kittens.
Health effects of Spaying or Neutering a Cat
Talking about risk factors, there is no medical or surgical procedure without risk. Neutered male cats are at higher risk of gaining weight and urinary blockages. A good cat owner should always take the advice of a veterinarian about what is best for their kitten, what benefits are there, and what precautions should be taken after the surgery.
Some post-surgery complications include inflammation or infection in the surgery part swelling under skin at the incision site caused by fluid. Avoid your cat licking or chewing the surgery part as it may infect or result in inflammation there. Make sure to provide an healthy cat food diet for time being. There are various delicious cat foods available in market, choose one of them.
Like any surgery, it is an indeed painful process but, the benefits overpower all side effects and pain during this procedure. Providing proper medication before and after surgery may make this process less painful for your pet. The recovery rate is satisfying for this surgery. Your cat awakes after about 10 to 20 minutes and can walk enough.
Final Thoughts
Indeed neutered vs spayed is the fastest and most satisfying surgery for your cats. But every cat has its own unique body and behaviour. Therefore, taking the advice of your veterinarian beforehand would be beneficial. The goal of this surgery is to keep cats as comfortable as possible and, it also helps reduce the risk of your cat developing several health predicaments. Hope now you sure about doubts regarding how old do cats have to be to get fixed, its benefits and all.