To Neuter or Not to Neuter, That is the Question.
Let’s start by defining what neutering is before we dive into the benefits and disadvantages. Neutering is the removal of the reproductive organs. In females, it is also called spaying and in males, it is called castration. These terms are all interchangeable though. There are a multitude of reasons as to why you should get your cat neutered, but the biggest reason is to help reduce the overpopulation of unwanted litters.
Due to overpopulation, shelter euthanasia is the number one killer of domestic animals. This occurs due to animals not being neutered and having mass amounts of litters that owners are unable to take care of. This method of birth control is the most recommended to help lower these numbers. There are also many health and behavior benefits that we will discuss.
There are multiple types of neutering available and these are considered in depth surgical procedures so there are the usual risks of complications from anesthesia, but these are very low risk surgeries because they are so common.
Spaying:
Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus in female animals. This is mainly performed on cats and young dogs. There is also an option of ovary sparing spay in which only the uterus is removed. However, the traditional spaying (removal of both ovaries and uterus) is the most commonly used method of birth control.
Castration:
Castration is simply the removal of the testes for male animals. It is a simple surgery that has a multitude of benefits as discussed below.
Traditional Surgery Alternatives:
If you are looking for something other than the traditional methods of neutering then there are other options available:
Vasectomy:
Vasectomies are the cutting and tying of a tube called the vasa deferentia. It leaves the testes in place but cuts off the path for the sperm. This is usually used mostly on male ferrets and sheep and is uncommon in cats and other animals. It lacks the benefits such as reduced cancer rates and aggressive behavior.
Tubal Ligation:
Tubal ligation is another alternative for neutering females by snipping and tying the fallopian tubes as a sterilization measure.
These alternatives are very useful because they do not change the sex hormones in the animals and they are viable birth control methods.
When should I get my cat neutered?
Cats can be spayed at any age; however, with age the risk of complications can increase. Early-age neutering is the removal of the sexual organs before the onset of puberty. This age group is usually neutered in shelters before the pets are adopted out. It is recommended that the kitten be at least eight weeks of age and weigh at least two pounds for a successful surgery.
What are the associated Health Benefits of Neutering?
Cats that are neutered are less likely to develop breast cancer (in females) and have no risk of ovarian cancer and male cats will not be subject to testicular cancer. In males, neutering will actually help lower aggressive behavior so there will be less chance of contracting a disease from fighting. Neutering will also help lower urine spraying in males due to the lower aggression. Since the female no longer has the sexual reproductive organs, there is a zero chance of any complications with pregnancy.
What are the disadvantages of Neutering?
As stated previously, there is the risk of surgical complications as with any medical procedure. This can be compounded if the cat is older in age or has pre-existing conditions such as diabetes. These risks are relatively low because it is such a common place procedure. Neutering can create a weight issue because a decrease in the sex hormone can be associated with increased food intake. This can be controlled by making sure your cat is on a healthy diet after the surgery.
How much will it cost?
There are hundreds of low-cost options all over the country. Neutering is something that all shelters and clinics promote vigorously. You can locate a database of assistance on ASPCA’s website. It searches via a zip code and a mile radius. This is definitely recommended for low-cost and, possibly, free neutering/spaying services.
How to Prepare Your Cat for Surgery
This will actually vary. Your vet will tell you specifics for pre-surgery, but usually it will involve making sure that your cat does not eat after midnight before the procedure. This ensures that there won’t be any sickness from the anesthesia. If you have any questions or concerns then it’s best to ask before the surgery.
What is the recovery Process for Recently Spayed or Neutered Animals?
There will be discomfort, but there shouldn’t be much pain, if any. The clinic will usually send the pet home with a pain medication for post-op recovery. There are a few tips to help promote a safe and comfortable recovery:
• Provide your cat with a quiet place to recover indoors away from other pets.
• Prevent your cat from licking the incision site by using a cone collar. This will help reduce the chance of infection.
• Try to limit the amount of running and jumping that your cat does for the first few days after surgery.
• You can use shredded paper instead of cat litter for the first few days because dust from the litter can increase the chance of infection.
• Avoid bathing your cat for at least 10 days to give the incision ample time to completely heal.
• Make sure to check the incision site daily to confirm it is healing.
If there is any redness, swelling, and discharge from the incision or if the cut is open then you need to contact the clinic immediately. You may also need to contact the clinic if your cat has decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea following surgery.
To Neuter or Not to Neuter
We have gone in depth with neutering/spaying and it all comes down to what you think the best option would be. If you are not concerned about overpopulation or things like that then you may want to pass on it, however, it is widely concerned the best option overall. We would love to hear any opinions about other possible options that may not have been listed here. This is a very simple list and I’m sure there are a multitude of other types of procedures that will have the same end result.
It is just a matter of what suits your family and pet best as to what method is selected. You can also contact your vet or local clinic to determine other options. ASPCA can also be used if you want more in depth information about the procedures listed above or if you want to find more options for neutering/spaying. This is something to seriously consider because there are so many cats that are being put to sleep just because there isn’t room for them.
In closing, neutering and spaying are definitely things to consider when getting a new pet. It is best performed when they are younger to prevent any surgical complications, however, it is up to you and your family to determine which option is the best. I hope that this has been informative and cleared up some questions that you may have had. For additional information, your vet is the best person to help you make your decision.
There are multiple types of neutering available and these are considered in depth surgical procedures so there are the usual risks of complications from anesthesia, but these are very low risk surgeries because they are so common.
Spaying:
Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus in female animals. This is mainly performed on cats and young dogs. There is also an option of ovary sparing spay in which only the uterus is removed. However, the traditional spaying (removal of both ovaries and uterus) is the most commonly used method of birth control.
Castration:
Castration is simply the removal of the testes for male animals. It is a simple surgery that has a multitude of benefits as discussed below.
Traditional Surgery Alternatives:
If you are looking for something other than the traditional methods of neutering then there are other options available:
Vasectomy:
Vasectomies are the cutting and tying of a tube called the vasa deferentia. It leaves the testes in place but cuts off the path for the sperm. This is usually used mostly on male ferrets and sheep and is uncommon in cats and other animals. It lacks the benefits such as reduced cancer rates and aggressive behavior.
Tubal Ligation:
Tubal ligation is another alternative for neutering females by snipping and tying the fallopian tubes as a sterilization measure.
These alternatives are very useful because they do not change the sex hormones in the animals and they are viable birth control methods.
When should I get my cat neutered?
Cats can be spayed at any age; however, with age the risk of complications can increase. Early-age neutering is the removal of the sexual organs before the onset of puberty. This age group is usually neutered in shelters before the pets are adopted out. It is recommended that the kitten be at least eight weeks of age and weigh at least two pounds for a successful surgery.
What are the associated Health Benefits of Neutering?
Cats that are neutered are less likely to develop breast cancer (in females) and have no risk of ovarian cancer and male cats will not be subject to testicular cancer. In males, neutering will actually help lower aggressive behavior so there will be less chance of contracting a disease from fighting. Neutering will also help lower urine spraying in males due to the lower aggression. Since the female no longer has the sexual reproductive organs, there is a zero chance of any complications with pregnancy.
What are the disadvantages of Neutering?
As stated previously, there is the risk of surgical complications as with any medical procedure. This can be compounded if the cat is older in age or has pre-existing conditions such as diabetes. These risks are relatively low because it is such a common place procedure. Neutering can create a weight issue because a decrease in the sex hormone can be associated with increased food intake. This can be controlled by making sure your cat is on a healthy diet after the surgery.
How much will it cost?
There are hundreds of low-cost options all over the country. Neutering is something that all shelters and clinics promote vigorously. You can locate a database of assistance on ASPCA’s website. It searches via a zip code and a mile radius. This is definitely recommended for low-cost and, possibly, free neutering/spaying services.
How to Prepare Your Cat for Surgery
This will actually vary. Your vet will tell you specifics for pre-surgery, but usually it will involve making sure that your cat does not eat after midnight before the procedure. This ensures that there won’t be any sickness from the anesthesia. If you have any questions or concerns then it’s best to ask before the surgery.
What is the recovery Process for Recently Spayed or Neutered Animals?
There will be discomfort, but there shouldn’t be much pain, if any. The clinic will usually send the pet home with a pain medication for post-op recovery. There are a few tips to help promote a safe and comfortable recovery:
• Provide your cat with a quiet place to recover indoors away from other pets.
• Prevent your cat from licking the incision site by using a cone collar. This will help reduce the chance of infection.
• Try to limit the amount of running and jumping that your cat does for the first few days after surgery.
• You can use shredded paper instead of cat litter for the first few days because dust from the litter can increase the chance of infection.
• Avoid bathing your cat for at least 10 days to give the incision ample time to completely heal.
• Make sure to check the incision site daily to confirm it is healing.
If there is any redness, swelling, and discharge from the incision or if the cut is open then you need to contact the clinic immediately. You may also need to contact the clinic if your cat has decreased appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea following surgery.
To Neuter or Not to Neuter
We have gone in depth with neutering/spaying and it all comes down to what you think the best option would be. If you are not concerned about overpopulation or things like that then you may want to pass on it, however, it is widely concerned the best option overall. We would love to hear any opinions about other possible options that may not have been listed here. This is a very simple list and I’m sure there are a multitude of other types of procedures that will have the same end result.
It is just a matter of what suits your family and pet best as to what method is selected. You can also contact your vet or local clinic to determine other options. ASPCA can also be used if you want more in depth information about the procedures listed above or if you want to find more options for neutering/spaying. This is something to seriously consider because there are so many cats that are being put to sleep just because there isn’t room for them.
In closing, neutering and spaying are definitely things to consider when getting a new pet. It is best performed when they are younger to prevent any surgical complications, however, it is up to you and your family to determine which option is the best. I hope that this has been informative and cleared up some questions that you may have had. For additional information, your vet is the best person to help you make your decision.
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