Why You Should Have Your Cat Neutered

>> What Does Neutering Involve?

Neutering your male cat is a simple surgical procedure that involves the removal of the testicles. As with any surgical procedure there is a certain measure of risk, but the health benefits of neutering your cat far outweigh the risks. Moreover, this routine procedure helps to control pet overpopulation, and thus avoids the necessity of having to put down unwanted kittens and cats.

>> What is the Recovery Period?

To reduce pain and discomfort, both neutering and spaying are performed while your cat is under general anesthesia, and must be performed only by a licensed veterinarian. Most cats are able to resume their normal activities within a few days, and the stitches are removed after about two weeks. Following the procedure, your vet will advise you on how to best care for your cat while he is recovering.

>> What are the Benefits of Neutering my Cat?

With the testicles removed, the cat's body can no longer produce the hormones that are responsible for certain undesirable behaviors.

1. One of the primary reasons to neuter your cat is to reduce spraying. Male cats mark their territory - both outside the house and in - by spraying urine. Because the surgical removal of the gonads (testicles) also removes the source of the male hormone, neutered cats are less territorial, and therefore less apt to need to spray.

2. Neutering your cat also removes the source of sperm production, thus reducing your cat's sexual behavior. Unneutered cats often roam long distances in search of a female, placing your cat at greater risk of being harmed by another animal, hit by a car, or simply lost. These problems are significantly reduced by neutering your cat.

3. In order to maintain their territorial dominance, male cats can be quite aggressive, often getting involved in fights with other male cats to preserve their territory and to dominate the female cats in the neighborhood. Sometimes these fights can result in injury to your cat, or in the transmission of parasites (such as ringworm) or diseases (like feline leukemia). Because neutered cats tend to be less aggressive, your neutered pet will be less prone to injury and disease, and you are more protected against the ensuing veterinary costs of treating your animal. However, your cat's hunting skills and general playfulness are not impacted by the neutering procedure. In fact male cats tend to become sweeter and more affectionate following castration.

4. Neutering your cat provides for the prospect of a healthier future by eliminating the possibility of testicular tumors and cancer.

5. Neutering your cat will prevent unwanted births. Each year, millions of unwanted kittens are born, only a lucky few of whom are actually adopted. The remainder are euthenized in a shelter, or succumb to trauma, starvation, or disease on the streets. Those living wild in an alley or barn are very susceptible to disease and infecting other animals with that disease. Neutering your cat will help to prevent these unwanted births and spread of disease.

>> When Should my Cat be Neutered?

Studies show that cats can be spayed or neutered safely when they are as young as eight weeks of age. When possible, the procedure should at least be done by six months of age, as doing so will help reduce the risk of physical and behavioral problems.

Neutered cats have a tendency to gain weight, since they are no longer driven to roam as they were previously. However, your cat's weight can be managed effectively through proper diet.

The only downside to neutering your cat is that your cat will no longer be able to reproduce. This is generally a problem only if you are breeding cats. Otherwise, in terms of helping to prevent pet overpopulation as well as allowing your cat to lead a longer and healthier life, the best gift that you can offer your cat is to have him neutered.