The Importance of Spay/Neuter-Facts/Myth Busters

all text and photos by Deb Barnes

As responsible pet parents, we do our best to provide our cats with a proper diet, veterinary care, and creature comforts to ensure they have a long, happy and healthy life. When it comes to the subject of spay/neuter, however, many of us view it as an optional surgery, and fail to see the population control and better health.

Preventing Overpopulation

According to the ASPCA, there are upward of 70 million homeless cats in the United States alone. Of this astounding figure, approximately 3 to 5 million are cats that end up in shelters. Half of them are needlessly euthanized because their numbers exceed willing adopters. The result is more cats living on the streets that are a combination of ferals and strays that have been abandoned or lost. Because they reproduce at an alarming rate, one breeding pair will be responsible for 5,000 cats in 7 years. Spay/neuter is necessary to prevent further homelessness and euthanasia.

Health & Behavioral Benefits of Spay/Neuter

Some believe if they keep their cat indoors, spay/neuter is not necessary. Even with best intentions, escapes can happen. More importantly, the overall health benefits to your cat from the procedure will result in him or her having a longer and happier life.

Spaying your female prior to her first heat nearly eliminates the risk of mammary cancer, uterine infections, and uterine cancer. These conditions are fatal to approximately 90% of cats according to the American Humane Association. It also stops her heat cycle and the annoying behavioral issues such as constant vocalization and inappropriate urinating. If not spayed, this cycle will repeat and continue until she finds a mate.

Neutering your male before he is 6 months of age prevents testicular and prostate cancer and greatly reduces his risk for perianal tumors. It also reduces aggressive behavior and his need to mark the house by spraying with strong smelling urine. Additionally, he will be less inclined to want to roam or dart out the door, which might result in a traffic injury, a fatality, or finding a female to impregnate.

Conception Facts

Many unintentional pregnancies occur for the simple reason we do not know the facts.

• A female kitten can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age and a male kitten can impregnate a fertile female at the same young age.
• “Pre-pubertal”spay/neuter is safe with kittens as soon as they weigh at least 2 pounds, (ideally between 8 and 12 weeks of age.)
• A nursing cat can become pregnant.
• A female can produce 3 litters a year, with an average litter of 4 – 6 kittens.

Misconceptions of spay/neuter

Despite the importance of spay/neuter, some pet parents still elect not to have the procedure done for misinformed reasons:

• My cat will become overweight after the procedure. With proper exercise, diet, and monitoring food intake, there is no reason for your cat to gain excess weight.
• The cat’s personality will be adversely affected. A male cat will not become “emasculated” if you neuter him – he will be less aggressive and friendlier. A female cat will be much happier without the undue emotional and physical stress of a heat.
• The procedure is too expensive. Low-cost or even free clinics may be in your are. You can find them by asking your veterinarian or local shelter. The ASPCA has a low-cost spay/neuter provider database available on its website.
• It is not fair to the cat to deprive them of their natural right to reproduce. Being able to reproduce has no benefit for the cat. Spay/neuter on the other hand, curbs overpopulation and improves overall health of the feline.
• It’s only one litter – what’s the big deal? Each new litter quickly adds up. There are plenty of available cats and kittens in shelters looking for a good home.
• I don’t even have a cat – why should I care about spay/neuter? Tax payers dole out millions of tax dollars every year to shelter and care for unwanted animals and euthanasia. This does nothing to break the cycle.

The benefits of spay/neuter affect the safety, quality of life, and health of the entire cat population. Community wide responsibility must become part of mainstream culture to ensure that overpopulation and senseless euthanasians are reduced. Cats should be given the best options for a long, happy, and healthy life that spay/neuter provides.

Bio

Deborah Barnes resides in the tropical paradise of South Florida with her fiancé and feline family of seven. She is the author of two 5-star rated books. The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary and Purr Prints of the Heart – A Cat’s Tale of Life, Death, and Beyond. The award winning blog, Zee & Zoey’s Cat Chronicles continues to cover the everyday journey she shares with her cats.

To purchase any of Deborah’s books:   https://www.zeezoey.com/the-book.php

Social links:

https://www.zeezoey.com  (Website)

https://zeezoey.com/blog/  (Blog)

https://www.zazzle.com/zeezoeyboutique  (Zazzle)

https://www.facebook.com/zeezoey  (Zee and Zoey – Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/purrprintsoftheheart  (Purr Prints on Facebook)

https://www.pawsitivelyhumane.org  (Pawsitively Humane, Inc.)