Population Control
From the early age of 4 months, kittens have already reached sexual maturity and are
capable of breeding and producing kittens themselves.
Population control and fighting pet overpopulation is a pivotal benefit of neutering our animal
companions. Most countries have a surplus of strays and are forced to euthanize or
disregard their great suffering. In Greece there’s an astounding number of cats, exceeding 2
million, out of which only 23% carries an ownership licence. Apart from sheer negligence
and lack of interest, a large sum of people are against neutering, claiming it to be merciless
and being bent on myths which we will debunk later in this article. It’s crucial to understand
that the true mercy comes in helping reduce population numbers so that there are good
homes for them all; or at least a significant amount.
Health benefits and longevity
More importantly, however, spaying and neutering helps your cat live a healthier, longer life.
A study conducted by Hanfield Pet Hospitals on a database of 500.000 cats, came to the
conclusion that spayed female cats lived 40% longer and spayed male cats lived 62%
longer.
The reduced lifespan of unaltered pets can, in part, be attributed to an increased urge to
roam. Such roaming can expose them to fights with other animals, resulting in injuries and
infections, trauma from vehicle strikes and other accidental mishaps.
A contributor to the increased longevity of altered pets is their reduced risk of certain health
problems. Spaying your female cat before her first estrous cycle (going into “heat” or being
able to breed) greatly reduces her risk of cervical cancer and eliminates her risk for ovarian
cancer, as well as reduces the risk for mammary cancer, and uterine infections (pyometra).
Neutering male cats eliminates the chances of testicular cancer and lowers the risk of
prostate problems. Keep in mind that there are other diseases resulting from natural cat
behaviour when they mate, feline AIDS, leukaemia, FelV, FIV, and Herpesvirus are only a
few examples. By reducing your cat’s urge to fight over mates and territory, you’ll also reduce
her chances of contracting these incurable diseases from other cats.
It will make your cat a better pet.
Spayed or neutered cats are better behaved and often more friendly and affectionate with
their owners as they are not so much driven by their instincts. They will be less likely to
roam, yowl, wail, bite, display aggressive behaviour, or spray or mark their territory. Intact
males will do just about anything they can to find mates, including escaping from your home,
which puts them at risk of injury or fights with other males as well as getting run over.
Spaying or neutering can also help improve your cat’s mood. Unaltered pets become
stressed when in heat, which can last several months out of the year. Spaying or neutering
will help relieve stress and will leave you with a content pet.
It’s cost-effective.
Getting your cat spayed or neutered early will save you money in the long run. It can save
you money by eliminating the need to replace furniture that has been damaged by a female
cat in heat or a male cat marking its territory. And, since the procedure is fairly cheap, it may
save you a lot of money in future by preventing health problems that might otherwise occur
in your pet.
When should you spay or neuter your cat?
Kittens as young as eight weeks old can be spayed or neutered safely. Cats altered before
six months of age will have a lower risk of developing behavioural or health problems, as
compared to those that undergo these procedures later in life.
Spaying and neutering early in life may even prevent problem behaviours before they develop. If an unaltered cat is displaying problem behaviours, it’s never too late to spay or neuter, regardless of age.
For social, health and population control reasons, it is now recommended neutering should
routinely take place at around 4 months of age.
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Feeding Cats Post-Neutering
Some cats gain weight more rapidly after neutering, so it’s important to make sure your cat is
kept active and fed right.
Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions
1.Myth: It’s better for female cats to have one litter before getting spayed.
Fact:Females who are spayed before their first heat are typically healthier. They will not feel
‘empty’ for not having experienced motherhood.
2.Myth: My cat will become lazy/overweight.
Fact:Pets get fat and lazy because their owners overfeed them and don’t provide enough
exercise, not because they are spayed or neutered.
3.Myth:Neutering is a quick fix for all behavioural problems.
Fact: Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviours there’s no
guarantee that your cat’s behaviour will change after it’s neutered. Neutering will also not
reduce behaviours that your pet has learned or that have become habitual. The effects of
neutering are largely dependent on your pet’s individual personality, physiology and history.
4.Spaying or neutering my cat will cause it unnecessary pain.
Fact: All surgical procedures involve a degree of discomfort, but neutering is carried out
under a full general anaesthetic and animals are given drugs to control any discomfort
afterwards.
Most animals are up and about just a few hours after the surgery and back to
normal within a few days. Neutering male cats is a really quick procedure with a very short
recovery time, while your female cat will need a little more rest after being spayed as the
surgery is a bit more invasive.
If you have a pet cat, it’s advised to look out for what’s best for both it and you, and make the
important decision of neutering it. It’s also strongly encouraged, if possible, to help out with
the stray neutering programs funded by your local municipality or organisation, with the hope
of controlling the cat overpopulation in your community and achieving their welfare.
Always act in accordance and with the help and guidance of your veterinarian.