Why Do Cats Disappear
The Lostpetresearch.com project also revealed that most lost cat homing incidents occur when a pet was accidentally transported away from its environment, e.g. crawled into a car at 22%; 19% disappeared while away from home , 8% were lost due to intention , 5% were last in transit .
A noticeable 29% of homing incidences occurred when an owner moved and a cat returned to their old home .
Looking For Signs Of Pregnancy
What Age Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat
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?
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Are There Spay And Neuter Risks
Complications for spaying and neutering are rare, but there are risks, Corbett says. The risks reflect any type of anesthesia or surgery, so you always have to say that death is a risk. There are a very, very small percentage of animals who can respond poorly to anesthesia, so thats the number one worry.
Kruck says that similar to how humans can react differently to anesthesia, so can animals. The actual surgery, however, is less worrisome.
The risks from the surgery are few because the procedures are very routine, says Kruck. Possible surgical risks include ligatures slipping, contamination of the surgical field, abnormal bleeding due to a clotting disorder, bruising, and pain.
Though its not necessarily a risk, its important to know that sometimes spayed cats will still go into heat. In some cases, part of an ovary is missed during surgery because it was hidden in the abdomen, so the procedure has to be done twice, Corbett says.
Overall, the risks are real, but they are rare.
If youre still nervous heading into the procedure, keep Humlies words in mind: Every pet owner is probably nervous about a surgery, even though its very, very routine surgery most of the time. At our clinic, our doctor has literally done thousands and thousands of them.
Reasons For Neutering Female Cats
- Population control. It is important to neuter a female cat before she can have kittens herself. This happens very quickly depending on breed, time of year born and individual development. The first season usually occurs around six months but can be earlier. Queens can have up to three litters in a year.
- Control of nuisance. Female cats will call regularly, about every three weeks during sexually active times of the year if they do not get pregnant. Having entire female cats in an area will attract entire males with the attendant problems of spraying, fighting and caterwauling.
- Welfare issues.;Unwanted kittens may not be cared for and are likely to suffer from various infectious diseases such as cat flu or worse. There are unlikely to be enough new homes available for them.
- Health issues. Female cats which are not neutered are more likely to suffer from pyometra later in life and with mammary tumours. Queens with infectious diseases may pass these on to their kittens. Pregnancy and birth are also not without risk.
- Wildlife issues.;Cats with kittens will hunt more actively and if they are not being fed will need to catch more wildlife to feed their kittens.
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What Is The Difference Between Spaying And Neutering
When we discuss getting a companion animal ‘fixed’, we are using a blanket term that refers to both the spaying of femal animals and the neutering of male animals.;
Spaying Female Cats
When we spay a cat, the uterus and ovaries, or occasionally just the ovaries, of the female cat are surgically removed.;
After the spaying procedure has been done, she will not be able to have kittens.;
Neutering Male Cats;
Neutering involves removing the male cat’s testicles.;
When your male cat is neutered, he will be unable to father kittens.;;
The Effects Of Ageing
With increasing age, there are many changes to a cats physiology, behaviour and vulnerability to particular illnesses. Physiological changes include reduced ability to smell and taste food, reduced ability to digest fat and protein, reduced hearing, immune function, skin elasticity and stress tolerance.
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Change In Food Or Litter Might Cause Cat Depression
Cats are creatures of habit, and that should be taken into consideration when making changes to their daily routines. This includes litter and food, and not only the brands or types but their locations in your home. With both food and litter, gradual changes are best and give kitty time to adjust.
As far as litter boxes go, its a good idea to keep the old one in the original location while your cat gets used to the new one. If youre not willing or able to provide a temporary box, then move the box toward the new location a little bit every day until it reaches the new spot.
Why Should I Spay Or Neuter My Cat
Simply put, neutered cats stay safer, tend to experience fewer health problems and dont produce unwanted kittens. Undesirable behaviours like spraying, nervousness, roaming, demanding behaviour and noisiness are reduced or eliminated even in adult cats.;
Other reasons to neuter or spay include:
- Reduced fighting and straying
- Reduced risk of feline leukemia and feline AIDS
- Spayed female cats have a lower risk of uterine infection
- Spayed female cats develop mammary cancer less often
- Neutered cats develop hormonal imbalances less often
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What If I Think My Cat Is Already Pregnant
Most cats dont display physical symptoms until two or three weeks into a pregnancy. If you suspect a pregnancy, get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. Some vets neuter female cats while theyre pregnant, ending the pregnancy and preventing future pregnancies at the same time. To find out more, ask your vet about their policies regarding spaying.
Allows For Better Visualization Of Organs
When compared to older kittens, younger kittens have proportionately less body fat. This means that veterinary surgeons will be able to visualize the spermatic cords that they need to cut and the testicles they need to remove. This will also help them have a better view of the fallopian tubes of female kittens as well as their ovaries and uterus. Less fat means easier access to these organs.
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More Reasons To Fix Felines By Five
Responsible pet ownership and spaying/neutering also:
- Helps the community by reducing the number of unwanted cats
- Reduces risks of hoarding and overabundance of cats
- Frees up shelter resources that can be used to help more animals
- Prevents risks of infections in the environment
- Potentially minimizes the risk of Toxoplasma being shed in the environment in outdoor stray cats
Whats more, spaying and neutering can help you!;
- It can save money on emergency reproductive disorders like an infected uterus
- Spaying and neutering can save you time on trying to find homes for 6-8 kittens
- It can save you money on a veterinary visit to test all your kittens for feline kitty AIDS , deworm them, and give them their first 2 shots before you adopt them out
There are several reputable organizations that endorse and support early spay neuter in cats, and these include:
- Alley Cat Allies
- Cat Fanciers Association
- Winn Feline Foundation
When in doubt, discuss this with your veterinarian and keep your cat healthy and happy. But try to Beat the heat and Fix Felines by Five!
The Importance Of Getting Your Cat Fixed
Every year, over 3 million cats enter the animal shelter system in the United States according to the ASPCA .
Spaying or neutering;your kitten or cat is critical in helping to reduce the number of unwanted cats in West Chester shelters.;
On top of reducing the number of unwanted cats in your area, neutering and spaying also help curb undesirable behaviors and reduce your feline friend’s risk of developing a number of serious health conditions.;
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Is A Neutered Tomcat Less Likely To Run Away
Its true that tomcats that are not spayed are more likely to run away and find another home. They can be very fickle, spending a lot of time outdoors.
After being neutered a tomcat will often have a lot less desire to roam around. Every cat is different, but generally speaking it will become more of a homebody than before.
Should I Let My Cat Have A Litter Of Kittens First
Honestly? No. There are no proven health benefits to letting your cat have a litter of kittens before getting her neutered. It just means youll have a lot of kittens on your hands you need to find loving homes for! There are already so many cats and kittens in rehoming centres across the UK, so its best to get your cat neutered.
If you have more questions about neutering, its best to talk to your vet for advice. We also have a handy page of common neutering myths so you can get the facts about neutering.
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Reasons For Neutering Or Spaying A Kitten
You can have your kitten neutered or spayed as early as 6 weeks of age and the kitten weighs at least 2.2 lbs. For newbie pet parents, however, the idea of feline sterilization may be a very new and odd concept. Some may not feel the need for sterilization at all. Here are some of the reasons why you should have your kitten neutered.
Why Have Your Cat Neutered
Female cats will generally first come into season around the age of six months, although it can be earlier. When you consider that a cat can have up to three litters of up to six kittens a year, you can see why neutering is important if you dont want to be inundated with cats in a relatively short space of time!
You might think that neutering a male cat is not such a priority as of course, you dont see the consequences of not doing so as immediately. But as a responsible pet owner, youll be helping to ensure that the growing population of unwanted cats doesnt increase.
Other reasons are related to your pets personal safety. An un-neutered male is far more liable to wander further from home than a neutered one, because he has an instinctive drive to seek out a mate. So ensuring your cat is neutered will help keep him safer, from getting lost or involved in a fight with a car, for instance!
Cats that havent been neutered tend also to be more aggressive and will easily provoke or get into fights with other cats. That means for him, hes more likely to suffer injuries, and for you, those vets bills may well mount up. This kind of cat fighting can also spread potentially life threatening diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus. Un-neutered males may also show more aggressive behavior towards their owners and will almost certainly spray smelly urine around the home.
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What Are The Health Effects Of Spaying Or Neutering A Cat
Of course, while spaying or neutering procedures are routine and considered safe, risk cannot be totally eliminated from every surgical or medical procedure. For example, cats who have been spayed or neutered do tend to gain weight if their diets are not adjusted accordingly. Neutered male cats are also at increased risk for developing urinary blockages.;
The benefits of neutering or spaying almost always outweigh the risks. However, you should always ask your vet which choices are best for your pet.;
How Much Does It Cost To Spay A Cat At Petco
Spay and neuter operations can cost more than $100. But through Spay Today 2000 pet owners will be able to able to purchase a voucher at PETCO stores that allow them to have a cat spayed or neutered for $10 and a dog spayed or neutered for $20.
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How Old Is Too Old
Is there a point where a cat is too old to be spayed or neutered? The honest answer is no. No matter what the age, with caution and preparation, even cats in their late teens can successfully be altered.
In most every instance, the veterinarian will require blood work before doing surgery on a mature cat. This allows some assurances that the liver and kidneys are healthy and able to process the anesthetics used for the procedure. Some veterinarians also check your cats clotting ability pre-operatively with a blood test. If your adult cat is on the older side , a thyroid gland check may be recommended or required as well.
For the female cat, most veterinarians will place an IV catheter into the front paw the morning of surgery. Much like an IV in humans, this allows the veterinarian to give medications quickly by delivering them right into the blood stream. Its also used to administer fluids, which will help maintain kitties blood pressure.
Because the procedure is both quicker and simpler in the male cat, an IV catheter is not always placed, but it still may be recommended as a safety factor.
How Much Does It Cost To Neuter A Cat
Although the cost to neuter a cat varies, neutering usually costs a little less than a spay surgery. A random sampling of veterinarians showed the following prices: $122 in Ohio, $169 in West Virginia and $340 in Illinois.
As with spaying, neutering can also take place at a low-cost clinic or shelter and will usually cost less, around $30-50.
Keep in mind that there can be other costs associated with these procedures as well, from the cost of vaccinations beforehand to pre-surgery bloodwork to make sure your cat is in optimal health.
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Benefits Of Spaying Or Neutering Your Adult Cat
Just like with spaying or neutering your kitten, getting your older cat fixed helps lower the risk of health issues that are common in intact cats.
Some of the risks of leaving an older cat intact include pyometra, which is a life-threatening infection of the uterus and is more common in older cats, Dr. Satchu said. Neutered cats are at a lower risk of developing testicular cancers and prostate problems.;
Additionally, a neutered male or spayed female cat is at a lower risk of wandering away to seek out mating opportunities, regardless of his or her age.
Can An Intact Male Overpopulate The World
By getting your male kitten neutered, are you saving the world from being overrun by cats? No. Theres been a popular, well-intentioned meme going around for a few years now, stating that a single intact male cat on the prowl and left to his own devices can sire more than 400,000 cats over the course of five years. Catsters own resident veterinarian rightly points out that a given ecosystem simply could not support any such absurd cat population. Politifact examined the data on this tale of cat fertility and clearly explains why it is not only false, but also improbable.
Many domesticated pet cats spend the majority of their lives safely inside their owners homes. What if you let them out? Can an intact male get into all manner of sexual escapades if hes feeling frisky on a given Caturday? Yes, of course. Intact female cats in heat experience induced ovulation, meaning that the sex act itself causes her ovaries to release eggs. The entire process of sexual congress between cats, including insemination, takes only a couple of minutes at most and can happen several times in succession. It might require such a series of intimate encounters for a female to become pregnant.
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