Neutering:
The Benefits
The benefits of neutering far outweigh any small risk carried with the operation. Below are some of the more important reasons for neutering all cats, as well as some common misconceptions.
5
reasons to neuter your cat
Neutered cats live longer, healthier lives. Un-neutered cats are more at
risk from diseases such as: ovarian, testicular, uterine and breast
cancer, ovarian cysts, uterine infection, FIV and prostate disease-to
name a few. Neutered males are far less likely to suffer injuries,
diseases or infections from fighting with other toms, neutered females
will not suffer the stress of rearing a litter or develop health
problems from having litter after litter of kittens.
YOU will have an easier life. Un-neutered tom cats spray their territory
with very smelly, messy urine, anyone who's had a tom in their house
will tell you how unpleasant this is. Walls, upholstery and more will be
sprayed and the smell is impossible to disguise. If you own an
un-neutered female you will have to suffer tom cats camping out in your
garden, spraying your house and fighting over your cat. Cats with
kittens take a great deal of looking after, to start with the kittens
will not use a litter tray and will make a mess of whatever room they
stay in. Older kittens will climb, scratch and chew everything they can
find and need constant supervision. Many boarding catteries will not
take in un-neutered cats whilst you're on holiday because of the
problems caused when territorial, spraying toms get together or when a
female is on heat amongst them all.
Neutered cats are more affectionate. Un-neutered males will roam for
miles outside and will disappear for days on end while following a
female in season. A neutered male is a far more affectionate pet and
will not stray as far when let out. Neutered females also tend to be
more loving and both will have more steady personalities than
un-neutered cats.
You'll save money over the years. Un-neutered cats suffer from far more
diseases and disorders than neutered cats and so can cost their owners
hundreds of pounds in vet bills. Also consider the cost of feeding a
pregnant cat and her kittens, worming and flea spraying them and
repairing the inevitable damage a mobile litter of kittens will cause to
your home.
Finally, you'll be helping to prevent the suffering of unwanted cats and
kittens. Millions of cats and kittens are dumped each year, some are
thrown outside, the lucky ones end up in shelters and some are subjected
to extreme cruelty. And yes, people still drown unwanted kittens. We
have had litters thrown down rubbish chutes in blocks of flats, dumped
in skips on construction sites or simple thrown out onto the streets to
fend for themselves. Hundreds of unwanted cats and kittens are put to
sleep in shelters without no-kill policies (Oldham Cats never has a
healthy cat put down). You'll also be helping local birds and small
mammals as a recent survey by The Mammal Society showed that neutered
cats hunt less.
Some common myths and facts:
Myth: Neutered cats become fat and lazy.
Fact: Cats become fat when they are overfed.
Cats do wander less when they're neutered and so may eat less than
un-neutered cats. Neutering alone does not cause obesity. Neutered cats
are also just as ready to play as un-neutered cats.
Myth: It's better to let a cat have one
litter before neutering.
Fact: Medical evidence shows exactly the
opposite is true. Female cats neutered before their first season have
been seen to be healthier than those neutered later. Also a queen that
has a litter as soon as she is able (about 6 months) is often still only
a kitten herself, she will be greatly weakened by a litter and may not
be able to produce enough milk to feed them. As a result both mother and
kittens may become malnourished and ill.
Myth: Male cats do not need neutering.
Fact: In terms of population control, males are
half of the problem and need neutering just as much as females. Also
un-neutered males are more aggressive, will wander more and will spray
in your house. Un-neutered males are at risk from diseases such as
testicular cancer and injuries from fighting.
Myth: A neutered tom cat will feel like
"less of a male". (silly as it sounds this is a common excuse given to
us by male cat owners)
Fact: Cats don't have any sense of sexual
identity or ego. Neutering your tom cat will give him the gift of a
longer, healthier and happier life.
Myth: Neutering is too expensive.
Fact: Neutering a cat will cost you around
£30-£50. This is a tiny fraction of the cost of caring for a pregnant
cat and her many litters. It is also much less than the vet bills you
could face if your un-neutered cat contracts one of the many diseases
entire cats are at risk from. (see above). If you're thinking of getting
a cat or kitten then go to an animal rescue. Oldham Cats has all cats
and kittens neutered before rehoming and our adoption fee is just £30
for cats, £40 for kittens. That includes neutering, flea, worm and ear
mite treatment and any other care.
Myth: The general anaesthetic is too risky
for a cat.
Fact: Neutering is a routine operation at all
veterinary surgeries. Whilst the cat is under the anaesthetic it will be
constantly monitored by the vet. If you follow the guidelines given by
your vet then your cat will be at very little risk at all. Always make
sure your cat is starved before the op and give him or her time to
recover afterwards. The medical benefits of having your cat neutered far
outweigh the risks of this tiny operation. See details of the operation
here.