Cat companions who don’t spay or neuter their pets end up contributing to animal overpopulation. Sadly, this leads to more cats being abandoned, and possibly euthanized, in shelters all over the country. Spaying and neutering are common and safe procedures that have real health benefits for your cat. Here we explain the facts.

What is Spaying & Neutering?
Spaying a female is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Neutering a male is the removal of the testicles. Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia so your cat will not feel any pain. Within a couple of days, your cat can resume his or her normal routine. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) strongly recommends you spay or neuter your pet as early as possible –before your female’s first heat and before your male is six months old. Ask your veterinarian about early sterilization.

What Are the Health Benefits?
There are significant health benefits to spaying and neutering. Spayed cats are much less likely to get breast cancer, fatal in about 90 percent of cases, and other uterine diseases. Neutering males before six months of age prevents testicular cancer and prostate disease.

Neutering and spaying have a positive effect on behavior but do not change the cat’s personality. Neutered males will not roam in search of a mate and will be less likely to mark or spray their territory (indoors and out) with strong-smelling urine. Neutering also reduces aggressive tendencies. Spayed females will not go into heat and so will not be inclined to yowl and urinate frequently in and around the house in order to attract a mate. In short, neutering and spaying has a calming effect, but your cat is still essentially the same.

Should I Wait to Spay My Cat?
Some companions believe a female cat should have a litter before being spayed. According to the ASPCA, there is no medical reason your cat should have kittens before being spayed. In fact, this myth contributes to cat overpopulation. As mentioned above, your cat will be healthier if you spay as early as possible.

Spaying and neutering does NOT lead to obesity and laziness. That is solely the result of too little exercise and too much food –both preventable with owner supervision. Sterilized pets tend to live an average of two to three years longer than pets that are not sterilized. If you value your cat and you want him or her to live a long and healthy life, make sure you plan to neuter or spay.

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