Post by ayshajade on Apr 29, 2013 14:23:41 GMT -5
On several cat forums I have noticed a common debate about whether to get your cat neutered or not. Now some people have stated about not bothering to neuter their indoor cats and others refuse to spay or neuter on moral grounds, saying that it’s unnatural. However, do they fail to realise it prevents future health problems as well? Which is why I want to raise it here. Feel free to comment on your opinions ^^
From around the age of 5 to 8 months, kittens reach sexual maturity and are therefore of producing kittens at this age. Unwanted kittens are big problem in the UK and I am sure in other countries too. So if you do not want to breed your cat then the op will also prevent unwanted kitties.
Neutering a cat - castration in the male, and spaying the female - not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain problems such as:
2. Neutering will make my cat fat and lazy. Again this deemed to be false. Cats generally have less need for food once they’re neutered because they don’t roam and fight anymore. Simply adjust your cat’s diet for his new activity level and he won’t get fat.
3. If I don’t let my cat outside, it doesn’t matter whether or not it’s “fixed.” False. Cats are great escape artists, and they will get out, no matter how careful you are. Also, not spaying or neutering your cat can lead to serious behavioural and health problems that will affect your cat’s quality of life.
4. Spaying or neutering is unnatural. So are electric lighting, refrigeration, and prescription medicines. But we accept these things because they make our lives better. Likewise, spaying and neutering makes our cats’ lives better.
Another issue is the expense of this procedure. However, there really is no excuse as it's a one of surgical procedure. There are animal charities in the UK such as PDSA, however, if you don't pass for this (I'm not sure exactly on the reasons) then you can shop around as all vets vary in prices. You can put money to a side and save up over time you don't have to magically pull out a wad of cash. The average cost in the UK is £40.00 for a male castration and for spaying a female is roughly around £50.
What are your views?
References:
www.fabcats.org/owners/neutering/info.html
www.paws-and-effect.com/book-list/mamas-corner/essays-articles-2/
From around the age of 5 to 8 months, kittens reach sexual maturity and are therefore of producing kittens at this age. Unwanted kittens are big problem in the UK and I am sure in other countries too. So if you do not want to breed your cat then the op will also prevent unwanted kitties.
Neutering a cat - castration in the male, and spaying the female - not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain problems such as:
- Female cats that are not spayed will go into heat every two weeks or so for at least nine months of the year. They call and yowl, and they may even start urine-marking in hopes of attracting an eligible tomcat.
- Cats can go into heat before their bodies are fully grown. When a half-grown cat has kittens, the chance of labor and delivery problems increases. If the cat’s pelvis is too small for the kittens to pass through, they may need to be delivered by Caesarean section.
- Unspayed females are at a much higher risk of developing cancer in their mammary glands, uterus or ovaries.
- They can develop life-threatening uterine infections which can only be treated with a complicated and expensive emergency spay. Even after the infected uterus is removed, the infection can have lifelong consequences including problems with the kidneys or heart.
- Un-neutered male cats are compelled to find any female cat in heat, and they will travel far and wide to do so. Every year, thousands of male cats die a slow and painful death because they get hit by cars as they travel along roads – generally at night – to find mating partners.
- Un-neutered male cats are much more likely to be aggressive, and therefore be injured by other cats in fights. This can result in abscesses and other injuries that require veterinary treatment, as well as the spread of diseases like Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia, both of which are fatal.
2. Neutering will make my cat fat and lazy. Again this deemed to be false. Cats generally have less need for food once they’re neutered because they don’t roam and fight anymore. Simply adjust your cat’s diet for his new activity level and he won’t get fat.
3. If I don’t let my cat outside, it doesn’t matter whether or not it’s “fixed.” False. Cats are great escape artists, and they will get out, no matter how careful you are. Also, not spaying or neutering your cat can lead to serious behavioural and health problems that will affect your cat’s quality of life.
4. Spaying or neutering is unnatural. So are electric lighting, refrigeration, and prescription medicines. But we accept these things because they make our lives better. Likewise, spaying and neutering makes our cats’ lives better.
Another issue is the expense of this procedure. However, there really is no excuse as it's a one of surgical procedure. There are animal charities in the UK such as PDSA, however, if you don't pass for this (I'm not sure exactly on the reasons) then you can shop around as all vets vary in prices. You can put money to a side and save up over time you don't have to magically pull out a wad of cash. The average cost in the UK is £40.00 for a male castration and for spaying a female is roughly around £50.
What are your views?
References:
www.fabcats.org/owners/neutering/info.html
www.paws-and-effect.com/book-list/mamas-corner/essays-articles-2/