It is better to get your feline friend spayed or neutered when they are kittens!
You have finally decided to invest in a new feline friend. Cats are great pets to have, but just like any other pet, they require a lot of care and maintenance. When you get your cat, you should consider having them spayed or neutered, unless you plan on breeding them. It not only prevents the risk of overpopulating your household, but there are a variety of health benefits as well. Here is why you should spay or neuter your cat.
Spaying
- If you decide to spay your female cat, they are less likely to develop to develop mammary gland tumors, which are often cancerous. This kind of cancer is best prevented by spaying the cat before her first heat, which happens at around 6 months old.
- Pyometra is a really bad infection that can develop in a cat’s uterus and can potentially be fatal. Spaying your cat eliminates this risk altogether.
- When a cat goes through heat, it increases the stress on their body. This puts them at a higher risk for illnesses such as bacterial infections and respiratory disease. Spaying them takes away the heat cycles.
- A female cat is at risk for developing malignant tumors on their ovaries and uterus. Spaying them completely eliminates this risk.
Neutering
- Neutering your male cat eliminates the risk of them developing testicular cancer. It is best to do this before they turn 6 months to ensure the greatest health benefits and prevention of this.
- Male cats that aren’t neutered tend to be more aggressive towards other male cats. This is because they are instinctually in competition with other males for mates. When you neuter them, it takes away that aggressiveness.
- They are less likely to contract contagious diseases such as feline leukemia and feline AIDS. This is due to the fact that they aren’t as aggressive so they are less likely to fight other cats and come in contact with these diseases.
- Neutered males won’t be worried about finding a mate. Because of this, they are less likely to try and stray away from home, which reduces the risk of them being attacked by an animal or hit by a car.
Call Catonsville Cat Clinic Today!
For 20 years, the Catonsville Cat Clinic has been providing quality veterinary care to the cats of Catonsville and beyond! Dr. Pam Nesbitt, who purchased the practice in July of 2011, runs the Catonsville Cat Clinic with compassion in mind. A team of professionals with an advanced level of veterinary medicine is at your service to make sure your cat is healthy and happy. So stop on by; we’d love to get to know you and your cat!
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