Spaying, or sterilization, involves the removal of a cat’s ovaries and uterus. Neutering, or castration, removes a cat’s testes. Spaying is the most critical health decision you can make for your pet. It stops unwanted pregnancies and stops certain behaviors that come with sexual maturity. It also lowers the risk of getting some diseases.
Reducing the Overpopulation of Cats
One of the most important things you can do to help prevent pet overpopulation is to spay or neuter your cat. This surgical procedure at the Humane Society of New York removes your cat’s reproductive abilities and prevents unwanted litters from being born. It’s also a way to avoid many health problems, like ovarian and uterine cancer. It reduces your cat’s chance of getting into fights and roaming the streets looking for a mate, and it can also decrease her risk of contracting contagious diseases.
Preventing Health Issues
Spaying or neutering your cat prevents them from being able to reproduce and also reduces their chances of developing specific health issues. Neutering (removing the testicles) lowers the risk of testicular cancer and prostate problems in male cats. It also protects female cats from getting breast cancer and uterine infections. Also, a cat can’t get pregnant if she has been spayed before she goes into heat. It also eliminates the heat cycle, which can cause mood swings and unwanted behaviors. For male cats, neutering reduces the desire to roam and aggressive behavior towards other cats, as well as spraying urine to mark territory. It also prevents bite wounds from causing abscesses, saving you money on veterinary bills in the future. Depending on your cat’s age, it may need to wear a cone after surgery, which will usually heal on its own. Your kitty will be less active after surgery and need to be monitored for weight gain.
Preventing Unwanted Litters
Spaying and neutering your pet helps prevent unwanted litters, prevents many health issues, and reduces stress for your pet. It also saves you money in the long run. When a female cat goes into heat, her hormones and instincts drive her to find a mate. She’ll yowl and urinate more than average, sometimes all over the house, to advertise for a mate. Unaltered cats also stray from home searching for a mate and risk being hit by cars. They can also cause a lot of damage to the local wildlife and may frighten children and older adults.
Preventing Aggression
One of the most important reasons to spay or neuter your cat is to prevent aggression. One of the most common reasons cats are given up to shelters is because they are mean, and this is also a big part of the problem with too many cats. Male and female cats become more aggressive between the ages of two and four. This is often made worse by territorial aggression. In addition, the mating instinct and hormones that drive them to find a mate can also contribute to the attack. By spaying your cat, you will eliminate this problem. Aside from preventing the formation of unwanted litter, neutering reduces the risk of aggressive behavior by removing the desire for cats to mark their territory with urine and spraying. It also decreases the urge to roam and reduces aggression towards other animals and people in your home. When a female cat is spayed before she goes into heat, she has a much lower chance of getting breast cancer and no chance of getting pyometra, an infection of the uterus that could kill her.
Conclusion:
When a female cat is spayed, especially before her first heat, it helps prevent uterine infections, uterine cancers, and breast cancer. When male cats are neutered, the risk of testicular cancer goes away, and the risk of prostate problems goes down. Pets who have been spayed or neutered typically lead healthier, happier lives.
