Why you should neuter your cat
Getting your cat neutered can seem like a daunting commitment. However, neutering has many benefits that extend to not only you and your wallet, but to your cat’s health and well-being as well.
The most obvious reason is to prevent your cat from reproducing. Unless you want your cat to have offspring and are fully prepared to take care of vulnerable kittens, allowing your cat to reproduce can contribute to overpopulation, and can lead to unnecessary pain and even death if appropriate care is not given.
Another reason is to regulate your cat’s behavior. Male cats who are not neutered are committed to finding a mate, and will roam around often. This can expose them to diseases such as feline leukemia, rabies, and feline immunodeficiency virus. Unneutered male cats are also more aggressive, engaging in behaviors such as spraying urine and fighting other male cats to mark territory. Injuries from these fights and the infections a roaming cat is at risk for can lead to expensive vet bills.
Similarly, female cats in heat will express sexual behavior in the form of mating calls that may go on for days, urine spraying, and constantly being in a mating position (legs bent, tail raised to the side, rear end exposed).
It is important to understand that you will not be the only one benefiting from the regulation of these behaviors once your cat is neutered. If your cat is experiencing surges in their hormones and are still unable to mate, it will be a source of stress for them too. Neutering will result in a calmer pet who is at less risk for disease and injury.
When you should neuter your cat
Typically, cats become sexually active at around six months of age, so a good time to get your cat neutered is considered to be when they are between 4 to 6 months of age. Even cats as young as eight weeks old can be neutered safely. It is also never too late to neuter a cat.
After the surgery
Cats recover quite fast after the surgery. Typically, they are tired and drowsy for a few hours and back to normal energy levels after a day or two. You should let your cat relax for the next couple of days so that their wounds have time to heal. A big risk post operation is that your cat might lick or scratch at its stitches, which is why they usually have to wear cones after the surgery until their stitches are removed. Neutered cats are also more likely to gain weight, so you will have to adjust their food servings accordingly.