Why Spay or Neuter? Why Not?
Besides being the most effective way to prevent unwanted litters, having your cat spayed or neutered provides many benefits for both you and your cat.
Spaying or neutering will relieve your cat of its hormonal drive -- allowing him or her to live a healthier, happier, longer life, free of unnecessary distractions and frustrations -- free to concentrate on you, the owner.
Male Cats
Neutering: an operation which removes the male cat's reproductive glands (testicles).
At about 3 - 6 months of age a male cat will begin to 'mark' his territory by spraying. He will spray things such as your doors, walls, clothing and furniture with a foul-smelling urine. Spraying is not a behavioural problem: it is a hormonal response. You CAN stop your cat from spraying by having him neutered.
Neutered cats are less likely to develop prostate cancer than un-neutered cats.
Once a cat is neutered he will never suffer from tumors or cancer of the testicles.
Female Cats
Spaying: (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the female cat's reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus).
At about 3 - 6 months of age female cats experience their first heat cycle. When a cat is in heat she will roll about the floor, whine and howl non-stop, keeping you awake most nights. A cat's heat cycle can last anywhere from three days to two weeks. A cat can go into heat many times each year. Once a cat is spayed she will not go into heat.
Spaying your cat decreases some health risks that often take the lives of our cats at an early age. Mammary tumors and uterine infections (pyometra) are less likely to appear in altered cats and, as a result, these cats lead a longer, healthier life.
Spaying or neutering will relieve your cat of its hormonal drive -- allowing him or her to live a healthier, happier, longer life, free of unnecessary distractions and frustrations -- free to concentrate on you, the owner.
Male Cats
Neutering: an operation which removes the male cat's reproductive glands (testicles).
At about 3 - 6 months of age a male cat will begin to 'mark' his territory by spraying. He will spray things such as your doors, walls, clothing and furniture with a foul-smelling urine. Spraying is not a behavioural problem: it is a hormonal response. You CAN stop your cat from spraying by having him neutered.
Neutered cats are less likely to develop prostate cancer than un-neutered cats.
Once a cat is neutered he will never suffer from tumors or cancer of the testicles.
Female Cats
Spaying: (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the female cat's reproductive organs (ovaries and uterus).
At about 3 - 6 months of age female cats experience their first heat cycle. When a cat is in heat she will roll about the floor, whine and howl non-stop, keeping you awake most nights. A cat's heat cycle can last anywhere from three days to two weeks. A cat can go into heat many times each year. Once a cat is spayed she will not go into heat.
Spaying your cat decreases some health risks that often take the lives of our cats at an early age. Mammary tumors and uterine infections (pyometra) are less likely to appear in altered cats and, as a result, these cats lead a longer, healthier life.
Common Misunderstandings about Spaying & Neutering
"My cat is going to have one litter so the children can see the miracle of birth."
Letting your cat have a litter is not a good way to teach children the facts of life. It is not always a miracle of birth. Many things can go terribly wrong. What will your children learn about life if the litter must be taken to a shelter, or has to be disposed of by other means? How will your children feel if there is a tragedy and the kittens or the mother die? Responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals are far more important lessons for children to learn from their parents.
"I want to let my cat breed just once -- one litter won't make much of a difference."
Preventing litters of kittens can save the lives of cats and kittens already born, that do not have a place to call home. Each year in Winnipeg thousands of cats are killed. Some are humanely "put to sleep", others loose their lives due to acts of cruelty. Some people think that if they find homes for all of the kittens they won't be adding to the number of homeless cats, but the truth is that they have only eliminated potential homes for other kittens. One litter is one too many!
"My cat will become fat and lazy."
Cats do not become fat or lazy as a result of being spayed or neutered. A cat no longer driven by hormonal instincts may become somewhat less active, but over-eating is what causes obesity.
"My cat should have one litter before she is spayed."
There is no evidence to support the belief that female cats should have one litter. Most veterinarians now believe that it is better to spay a cat before her first heat cycle (before 4 months of age). There are fewer complications and surgery is less stressful for younger cats.
"My cat is a male -- only female cats should be fixed since they are the ones having kittens."
The responsibility for feline birth control lies in the hands of all cat owners, not just the owners of female cats. Female cats do not "go out and get themselves pregnant" -- you can bet a male cat had something to do with it. One male cat can father hundreds of kittens in just one year.
"My cat will hate me if I deprive him / her of a sex life."
Mating, reproduction, and the rearing of kittens carry no emotional involvement, whatsoever, for cats -- they are simply reacting to their hormones and instincts. Spayed or neutered cats lose their urge to mate. An altered cat has never been known to become depressed over the loss of his / her ability to breed.
"I don't want to change my cat's personality."
Spaying or neutering does nothing to change a cat's personality. A cat is more likely to be its friendly self when not under the influence of sex hormones.
Letting your cat have a litter is not a good way to teach children the facts of life. It is not always a miracle of birth. Many things can go terribly wrong. What will your children learn about life if the litter must be taken to a shelter, or has to be disposed of by other means? How will your children feel if there is a tragedy and the kittens or the mother die? Responsible pet ownership and the humane treatment of animals are far more important lessons for children to learn from their parents.
"I want to let my cat breed just once -- one litter won't make much of a difference."
Preventing litters of kittens can save the lives of cats and kittens already born, that do not have a place to call home. Each year in Winnipeg thousands of cats are killed. Some are humanely "put to sleep", others loose their lives due to acts of cruelty. Some people think that if they find homes for all of the kittens they won't be adding to the number of homeless cats, but the truth is that they have only eliminated potential homes for other kittens. One litter is one too many!
"My cat will become fat and lazy."
Cats do not become fat or lazy as a result of being spayed or neutered. A cat no longer driven by hormonal instincts may become somewhat less active, but over-eating is what causes obesity.
"My cat should have one litter before she is spayed."
There is no evidence to support the belief that female cats should have one litter. Most veterinarians now believe that it is better to spay a cat before her first heat cycle (before 4 months of age). There are fewer complications and surgery is less stressful for younger cats.
"My cat is a male -- only female cats should be fixed since they are the ones having kittens."
The responsibility for feline birth control lies in the hands of all cat owners, not just the owners of female cats. Female cats do not "go out and get themselves pregnant" -- you can bet a male cat had something to do with it. One male cat can father hundreds of kittens in just one year.
"My cat will hate me if I deprive him / her of a sex life."
Mating, reproduction, and the rearing of kittens carry no emotional involvement, whatsoever, for cats -- they are simply reacting to their hormones and instincts. Spayed or neutered cats lose their urge to mate. An altered cat has never been known to become depressed over the loss of his / her ability to breed.
"I don't want to change my cat's personality."
Spaying or neutering does nothing to change a cat's personality. A cat is more likely to be its friendly self when not under the influence of sex hormones.
Cats that haven't been spayed or neutered are often distracted by their sexual instincts. They have a tendency to roam in search of a mate. Roaming leads to fighting, which can lead to serious injuries to both the cats and anyone who tries to separate them.
