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Why
Spay or Neuter Your Kitten? |
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Surgically
neutering both female and male cats prevents pregnancy, the heat cycle, and
unwanted litters. It can also improve the health and lifespan of both
males and females. The surgery to remove the reproductive organs is called
ovariohysterectomy ("spay") in females, and castration ("neuter")
in males. Spaying
prevents many problems in female cats. Besides pregnancy and false
pregnancy, ovarian and uterine cancer, although not common in cats, are
also a threat to un-spayed older cats. Infections
of the uterus
(called "pyometra") although not common in cats, can become a
problem in older non-spayed females, and these infections are
life-threatening. The potential for uterine infection is completely
eliminated by spaying. By spaying or neutering your kitty, you also
eliminate the dangers of mastitis, ovarian cysts, miscarriage, the complications
of delivery and injuries related to breeding. Change in behavior and personality occur during heat cycles. Females can become nervous, irritable, and very vocal during their cycle. Some cats even become aggressive toward strangers as well as the owner. With their keen sense of smell, males can detect a female in heat from great distances. He can become nervous, irritable, aggressive or become less responsive to you. If allowed outside, he will try to get to the female in heat. For this reason his chance injury due to car accidents or fighting increases. Males will mark their territory by spraying around the house even if he is completely litter trained. |
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