Sunday, March 24, 2024
HomeHow Do You Spay A Cat

How Do You Spay A Cat

The Truth About Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat

370,000 Reasons to Spay and Neuter | An Animated Short

An estimated 5 million to 8 million animals are euthanized in shelters across this country every year. Many organizations are working to decrease that number by opening low-cost spay/neuter clinics that will prevent more litters of cats that need homes. One such organization is LifeLine Animal Project, an Atlanta-based nonprofit shelter and clinic where more than 25,000 spaying and neutering procedures have been performed since 2005. Here, executive director Rebecca Guinn answers the most commonly asked questions about spaying and neutering cats.

Q: Why should I have my cat spayed or neutered?

A: Shelter euthanasia is the number one killer of companion animals. Spaying and neutering is the only way to reduce or eliminate that. Its also better for your pets health. And having a cat thats spayed or neutered will make your life easier.

Q: Shouldnt I let my cat have a litter before I spay them?

A: No. It greatly reduces the risk of certain cancers if you have them spayed before the first heat and certainly before they have a litter.

Most places are overrun with kittens. There are millions of cats and kittens that need homes and millions more that are abandoned. There simply arent enough homes for all the cats that get born every kitten season.

Q: Should I let my cat have a heat before I spay them?

Q: Is it OK to spay my cat when they are just a kitten?

Continued

Q: It can cost more than a $100 to get a cat spayed or neutered. I cant afford that. What can I do?

Continued

Do Cats Know They Are Spayed

Do cats know when theyve been neutered? We dont know for sure. People on the internet spend a lot of time wondering about this, but theres no definitive answer. Pets subjective experiences are impossible to know completely, but we dont think theres any way a cat would know theyve lost the ability to reproduce.

Reasons To Spay Your Female Cat

1. No more kittens – A visit to any cat shelter should convince you that we dont need any more kittens brought into the world. Whats worse is that kittens as young as 5 months can become pregnant themselves and some will not be able to give birth naturally. The cost of a Cesarean is high and may happen unexpectedly so the next reason.

2. Reduces the chance of unexpected veterinary bills – Seriously, a C-section can cost a four-figure sum!

3. Reduces exposure to disease – Female cats in heat only have one thing on their mind, and theyll make sure every Tomcat in the neighborhood knows. Tomcats will flock from miles away and your usually well-behaved female kitten will make every effort to escape.

Tomcats can carry diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Feline Leukemia Virus due to promiscuous contact with other cats. Even if they dont pick up these diseases, your female cat may be exposed to cat flu viruses, which are unpleasant at best.

4. Reduces the risk of cancer and other diseases of the reproductive organsMammary cancer is reduced by 90% when a female cat is spayed at a young age. Mammary cancer is nearly always malignant in cats, so its vital to reduce the risk. To do this successfully, they need to be spayed before their first heat cycle, which can be as early as 5 months. Cancer of the reproductive system is rare but nasty, and the risk is eliminated by spaying.

Also Check: Cat Age Vs Human

How Much Does It Cost To Spay Or Neuter A Cat

When youre budgeting to adopt a cat, dont forget to include the cost of a spay or neuter procedure. This one-time expense is important for your kittys health and happiness, and to prevent overpopulation.

Spaying or neuteringmeaning the surgical removal of the reproductive organs in a female or male animal, respectivelycan offer several benefits for your cat. Veterinarians and animal rights organizations agree spaying or neutering your cat will help them live a longer, healthier life. But on a larger scale, getting your cat fixed will help prevent overpopulation, and ensure your cat doesnt have an unplanned litter you cant take care of yourself. Heres what you can expect this procedure to cost.

Do Cats Become More Affectionate After Neutering

Why You Should Spay/ Neuter Your Pet

Cats become affectionate to their owners and other animals after being neutered. The main reason for neutering is to fix some behavioral issues that are related to sexual instincts. Most spayed cats change to be calmer after the surgery and start looking for attention from their owners. Some vets state that many owners can build a trust bond between them and their cats in this period.

Will my kittens personality change after spaying?

No, it does not change the personality of the cat. The purpose of spaying a cat is to eliminate unpleasant behaviors related to sex. So, many cats will be calmer after being neutered, but it does not necessarily affect their personalities.

Dont Miss: Is 17 Old For A Cat

You May Like: Cat Years Vs Human

Confirm If Your Cat Is In Heat

Check to see if the behavior your cat is displaying is her being in heat rather than being sick. In the heat, an unspayed cat will be noisy, restless, brush against people and things. It will roll around on the floor. If you touch her lower back, she will raise her pelvis and tilt her tail to one side in response.

  • Spring and late summer are the most common times for cats to reproduce. During this time of year, she will most likely go into heat.
  • Determine whether your cat is in heat or unwell. Do you see the cat agitated but not rubbing herself against everything or lifting its tail to the side? That is a good sign. If she has an injury or is in pain, take her to the veterinarian to determine the cause.

Do Cats Bleed On Their Periods

Do cats bleed when theyre in heat? In the vast majority of cases, cats dont bleed when theyre in heat, although it is possible. Blood in their urine or around the genital area could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, so if you do spot any blood, be sure to contact your vet right away.

Cat Neutering or Spaying Aftercare

  • Keep Cats Calm.
  • You May Like: Getting Cat Pee Out Of Hardwood Floors

    What Does Neuter A Cat Mean

    The cat will be taken to the hospital and undergo a minor surgery that lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Sterilization is the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus, which means that the female will not be able to reproduce and become pregnant. This is a common surgery performed under general anesthesia.

    Before And After Your Kittens Procedure

    How To Neuter Your Cat
    • Ask your vet how much to feed your kitten the day of the procedure
    • Your girlBAE may have a tender tummy at the site of her incision
    • Give your kitten a clean, quiet place to recover away from other pets
    • Keep an eye on their incision site to make sure its healing
    • Recovery can take up to 2 weeks
    • If anything looks red or swollen, if your kitten seems depressed, or if theyre vomiting or have diarrhea, call your vet right away
    • Immediately contact your veterinary team if you have any concern

    How Banfield can help

    Were all about kitten health and happiness. Whether you want to spay or neuter your kitten, or if your plans include future breeding, were here with medical guidance and support. Our Early Care Plus Optimum Wellness Plan® package for kittens under 6 months old actually includes a spay or neuter procedure along with exams, vaccinations, and more. Is your cat over 6 months old? No problem you can easily add the procedure to any cat OWP.

    Read Also: Hp Lovecrafts Cat

    Benefits Of Spaying Your Female Cat

    Population Control

    Your tiny little kitten may actually be mature enough to have kittens of her own before she is even six months old. By spaying your female cat before she is mature enough to have kittens, you help to reduce the population of unwanted cats in your neighborhood.

    Not only that, female cats can have as many as four litters a year. When we consider that the average litter can range in size from two kittens to as many as ten kittens, that is a staggering number of unwanted cats.

    Animal Health

    Spaying your kitten before she has her first heat can help to reduce her risk of pyometra as well as mammary tumors. It’s also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens who go on to spread the disease even further. Pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners.

    Save Wildlife

    It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds each year. Keeping the numbers of homeless cats to a minimum can help to save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.

    Deter Nuisance Behaviors

    Are There Any Complications To A Spay Or Neuter Surgery

    The most common and very benign complication we see with the spay is sometimes there’ll be a slight reaction to the suture that we use. There might be a tiny bump at that site, which will go away over a matter of a couple of weeks. It’s extremely rare to have any kind of complication from a spay or neuter in a cat. I can’t even think of one happening here in our hospital ever.

    Read Also: Name Of Hp Love Crafts Cat

    Getting Your Cat Spayed

  • 1Spay kittens as early as 8 weeks. If you have a litter of kittens, they can be spayed as early as 8 weeks old. If you are adopting a kitten from a rescue or shelter, they will usually spay her before she goes home with you, especially since kittens shouldnt be taken away from their mothers until they are at least 8 weeks old.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source
  • In addition to your cat being at least 8 weeks old, she should also be at least 2 pounds in weight, before shes spayed.XResearch source
  • In order to avoid your cat going into heat, you should get her spayed before shes 5 months old .
  • 2Take a cat in heat for a spay surgery. If a cat is already in heat, or even if shes pregnant, a spay can still be performed. However, a veterinarian would need to examine the cat and determine how far along she is with her pregnancy before its decided if a spay is safe.XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to sourceXResearch sourceAdvertisement
  • 3Consider spaying your older cat. Cats can be spayed at any age. However, cats who are older than 7 years of age may need to have pre-surgical blood tests completed to determine if sedation is safe.XResearch source
  • Speak to your veterinarian about what programs may be available in your area.
  • What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat

    You

    Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the cornerstones of pet ownership in the United States. ASPCA statistics place the U.S. pet cat population at anywhere between 74 and 96 million and there may be as many as 70 million strays fending for themselves. Unfortunately, the ASPCA also estimates that 41 percent of cats who enter shelters cannot find a home and end up being euthanized. Breeders, shelters and rescue groups team up with vets and their staff to stem the tide of cat overpopulation but its bound to be a continuing battle for the foreseeable future.

    If you find yourself with a new kitten in your household, spaying or neutering is something youll need to be thinking about soon. But at what age is it appropriate to spay or neuter a cat? More importantly, why should you consider having the procedure done at all?

    Also Check: Feline Spastic Pupil Syndrome

    Monitoring The Cat Spay Incision

    An important part of your cats recovery is keeping the cats incision healthy, so youll want to check it daily.

    Spaying a cat is considered an invasive procedure. Doctors have to cut into the cats abdomen to remove her ovaries and uterus before closing the incision with several layers of sutures.

    Because of that incision, you shouldnt bathe your cat for 10 days after the surgery, Bierbrier says. And your cat licking the incision can cause infections, so you may need an Elizabethan collarotherwise known as the dreaded cone of shameto keep her away from it.

    If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian, Bierbrier advises.

    A small lump might pop up near the incision area, but it shouldnt be worrisome as long as its not painful, swollen, red, or discharging any liquid.

    According to VCA Animal Hospitals, heres what a healing cat spay incision should look: The edges of the incision should be touching each other, and the skin should be its usual color or slightly reddish-pink. It may be redder the first few days after the procedure.

    Pale-skinned cats may also exhibit some bruising around the incision, but thats normal. Blood may also seep out of the incision if your cat is active, which is why its a good idea to keep her subdued in the days following the surgery.

    Benefits Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Cat

    According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, veterinary advisor with petMD, spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle virtually eliminates the risk of mammary cancer. She says that this condition is especially serious in cats since feline mammary cancers tend to be very aggressive in comparison to other species.

    Spayed female cats also cannot develop ovarian and uterine cancers or a potentially fatal uterine infection called a pyometra, Coates adds. Other health-related issues related to spaying include negating the possibility of the complications that can occur with pregnancy and birthing.

    For male cats, Coates says that the benefits of neutering are primarily behavioral, although the procedure does eliminate the possibility that a cat will develop testicular cancer as he ages.

    Anyone who as ever tried living with an intact male cat will tell you that the vocalizations, escape attempts, roaming, fighting and urine spraying associated with normal tom cat behavior can get old really quick, she says.

    Feline AIDS and leukemia can both be spread between cats through bites, often spurred on by sexual competition, says Coates. So, reducing the urge to mate also reduces the likelihood that your cat will contract one of these oftentimes fatal infections.

    Also Check: Gargamel And Cat

    Castrating A Cat At Home/rubberband Style

    I have a cat approximately 9 months old. He has been peeing on everything in the house. I cant put him outside because there are dogs that will kill him and neighbors that will shoot him. I dont have $60 to have a vet castrate him.I have been told by one woman who runs a kennel that I could put a rubberband around him testicles and they will fall off.Is this unheard of? Vanessa Hayes , November 28, 2001

    Spaying Cats: Everything You Need To Know

    How To Spay & Neuter 200 Feral Cats!

    Written bySmall Door’s medical experts

    Making the decision to spay your cat can bring up lots of questions. What are the advantages of spaying your cat? When is the best time to spay? How do you care for your cat once shes been spayed? In this article, well discuss what you need to know to make this decision, as well as what you can do to prepare for your cats spaying.

    Don’t Miss: Is Terramycin Safe For Cats

    Read More About Neutering Your Cat

    Neutering is a surgical procedure, undertaken to prevent both female and male cats from reproducing. In males the testicles are removed this is the main source of the hormone testosterone, so levels of this hormone fall after the surgery.

    It is common practice for the ovariohysterectomy technique to be used for cat spaying in UK. However individual practices have their own protocols in place, and both methods of cat spaying – ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy are an accepted technique for spaying of female cats. Once spayed, your cat will no longer be able to fall pregnant, and will also not have any seasons. If you have further questions about the procedure, please do speak with your local Vets4Pets vet.

    In all cases, neutering involves a general anaesthetic. Your cat will come into the practice in the morning, stay for the day to have the operation, and in most cases will be reunited with you the same day. Although all surgical procedures come with some risk, neutering is the most common procedure undertaken at our vet practices, and the techniques are very safe. Neutering cats is also a relatively quick procedure, especially males, which helps keep the risk low.

    There are some alternatives to the cone available, such as specially designed onesies, which may be more suitable to your cat. Some owners also fashion protective wear out of human clothes such as babygrows, but care should be taken in these cases as they may be easier for your cat to get around.

    What To Expect After Cat Spaying Or Neutering

    Cat spaying requires owners to learn a few things about pre-surgical preparation and post-surgical care. Though spaying or neutering are not uncommon, still you need your kitty to remain free from any danger and receive your love and care.

    35% Off At Chewy

    How To Redeem This Offer

    Cat spaying or neutering is one of the most commonly performed surgical pet procedures. Though the procedure has multiple health benefits for cats, many pet parents worry about its effect on their felines behavior and personality. It is a misconception that spaying and neutering alter a pets personality rather, the procedure of spaying cat helps curb negative behavior. When we refer to cat neutering, it connotes removal of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries in a female kitty. The most common medical term for ovary and uterine ablation or removal is ovariohysterectomy.

    Also Check: Cat Pee On Wood Floor

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular