Why have your cat neutered?
In some areas, there are too many cats, with the number of male and female strays expanding very rapidly. They can be responsible for up to four litters per year including litters from their offspring, because cats reach puberty early.
If you do not want your pet to breed, have him (or her) neutered. That way you make sure you don’t help to increase the already huge population of unwanted cats. It also guarantees that there won’t be kittens which have to be put down at birth.
If you live in an apartment, you may feel that this problem does not concern you. However, there are a number of advantages in having your cat neutered.
Less Chance of spraying: Mainly seen in males, spraying begins at puberty and is unpleasant. You may very quickly take a sudden dislike to your cute friend…
At last, a cat that stays at home! Any entire cat (female as well as male) will stray further and be away for longer. This considerably increases the risk of hazardous encounters, as non-castrated males fight a lot. It also reduces the animal's life expectancy by one half (wounds, abscesses, fractures, getting lost and infection with viruses through wounds are risks that are minimised by neutering). Neutered cats are less likely to wander.
A more cuddly cat: After the operation, male and females tend to become more friendly (at puberty they can sometimes become aggressive) and make much nicer companion animals.
What to do next: Have your cat neutered at about 5 months, even before the first season in females, so he or she doesn't develop bad habits.
Neutering is a regularly undertaken definitive surgical act, while the pill for females is not 100% efficient and has numerous side-effects, such as cancers and uterine infectionsand is not recommended. After being neutered, your cat will be back to normal in no time at all (about 24 hours for males, and 48 hours for females because the surgery takes longer).
To help those cat owners in our area who find it difficult to afford the cost, we distribute neutering vouchers. To download a request form, please go to Neutering vouchers.
Watch out for weight gain: The only minor problem with neutering is that cats which tend to be very greedy and are given free access to food may put on weight after the operation. Your vet can give you advice on diets for neutered animals.
Old wives tales:
No, it isn't true that it's better for a female cat to have at least one litter - the sooner the cat is neutered the less the risk of mammary tumours developing.
No, it is not true that neutering stunts growth - you can have your cat neutered from 6 months without ill effects.
No, it is not cruel to have your cat neutered - on the contrary, your cat's life expectancy will double.
So don't hesitate, have your cat neutered NOW
A female cat will usually come into season (start to call) between 4 and 6 months of age. It is unnecessary for cats to have a litter before being neutered (spayed). Female and male cats can be neutered from about 4/5 months old (see this helpful video from Cats Protection) and ask your vet’s advice.