1. Spaying or neutering your cat helps prevent pet overpopulation. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 3-4 million cats and dogs are euthanized by shelters every year. This number doesn't include the millions of stray animals with shortened lifespans. By spaying or neutering your cat, you'll prevent unwanted litters and save lives.
2. Spay and neuter surgery can help stop or prevent spraying behaviors. Spaying or neutering your cat before she or he reaches puberty (six to eight months of age) is the best preventive measure against spraying, says Elaine Wexler-Mitchell in her book Ask the Vet About Cats. If you neuter your male kitten before his hormones kick in and encourage territorial marking behavior, you increase the chance that hell never learn to spray.
3. Spay surgery can prevent your female cat from developing mammary cancer. It is actually healthier for a cat to be sterilized before heat cycles begin, Wexler-Mitchell says. Cats that start going through heat are at a much higher risk of developing mammary cancer later in life.
4. Spaying eliminates the chance of your female cat developing uterine infections. Because the uterus is removed completely during spay surgery, spayed female cats have no risk of metritis or pyometra, infections of the uterus, Wexler-Mitchell explains.
5. Spay surgery can help prevent loud vocalizations from your female cat. Females in heat can cry incessantly, states the Humane Society of the United States. Because she won't go into heat, your female cat won't keep you up at night howling for male attention.
6. Neutering can make your male cat a better pet. Neutering does not alter the good parts of a male cats personality, but it does decrease aggressive and territorial tendencies, Wexler-Mitchell says. The HSUS agrees: Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been neutered.
7. Neuter surgery will deter your cat from fighting with other cats. Intact male cats are driven by their hormones to find a mate and will fight with other male cats when female cats are present. The injuries sustained in these fights can result in costly veterinary bills more costly than neuter surgery.
8. Neutering can help prevent your male cat from behaving aggressively toward other pets and members of your household. The same hormones that drive an intact male to fight other male cats can cause him to bite or display other aggressive behaviors toward family members and other pets, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Many aggression problems can be avoided by neutering your male kitten while he is still young and friendly.
9. Neutering will reduce the chance of your male cat developing testicular cancer. If done before your kitten reaches six months of age, neuter surgery will virtually eliminate the possibility of him acquiring the disease, according to the ASPCA.
10. Neuter surgery will decrease the chance of your male cat developing prostate disease or hernias. Again, having the surgery performed before your kitten turns 6 months old will decrease the chances even further.
Don't let cost factors prevent you from scheduling that appointment. Find a low-cost spay and neuter clinic near you today. Your cat will thank you!
2. Spay and neuter surgery can help stop or prevent spraying behaviors. Spaying or neutering your cat before she or he reaches puberty (six to eight months of age) is the best preventive measure against spraying, says Elaine Wexler-Mitchell in her book Ask the Vet About Cats. If you neuter your male kitten before his hormones kick in and encourage territorial marking behavior, you increase the chance that hell never learn to spray.
3. Spay surgery can prevent your female cat from developing mammary cancer. It is actually healthier for a cat to be sterilized before heat cycles begin, Wexler-Mitchell says. Cats that start going through heat are at a much higher risk of developing mammary cancer later in life.
4. Spaying eliminates the chance of your female cat developing uterine infections. Because the uterus is removed completely during spay surgery, spayed female cats have no risk of metritis or pyometra, infections of the uterus, Wexler-Mitchell explains.
5. Spay surgery can help prevent loud vocalizations from your female cat. Females in heat can cry incessantly, states the Humane Society of the United States. Because she won't go into heat, your female cat won't keep you up at night howling for male attention.
6. Neutering can make your male cat a better pet. Neutering does not alter the good parts of a male cats personality, but it does decrease aggressive and territorial tendencies, Wexler-Mitchell says. The HSUS agrees: Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been neutered.
7. Neuter surgery will deter your cat from fighting with other cats. Intact male cats are driven by their hormones to find a mate and will fight with other male cats when female cats are present. The injuries sustained in these fights can result in costly veterinary bills more costly than neuter surgery.
8. Neutering can help prevent your male cat from behaving aggressively toward other pets and members of your household. The same hormones that drive an intact male to fight other male cats can cause him to bite or display other aggressive behaviors toward family members and other pets, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Many aggression problems can be avoided by neutering your male kitten while he is still young and friendly.
9. Neutering will reduce the chance of your male cat developing testicular cancer. If done before your kitten reaches six months of age, neuter surgery will virtually eliminate the possibility of him acquiring the disease, according to the ASPCA.
10. Neuter surgery will decrease the chance of your male cat developing prostate disease or hernias. Again, having the surgery performed before your kitten turns 6 months old will decrease the chances even further.
Don't let cost factors prevent you from scheduling that appointment. Find a low-cost spay and neuter clinic near you today. Your cat will thank you!
