When should I spay or neuter my cat?
Provided your cat is healthy spaying and neutering can be performed at any time during your cat's life.
Standard spay and neuter surgeries are most often performed when the kitten is between five and six months old, but kittens can safely be spayed or neutered as young as six to eight weeks of age.
Spaying vs Neutering
Male Cats: Neutering is the sterilization of male animals. This is done by surgically removing the animals testes.
Female Cats: Spaying is the sterilization female animals. Females are sterilized by surgically removing their reproductive organs.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat
Cat overpopulation is a serious problem in North Carolina. Spaying or neutering your cat will help to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the Asheville area. More cats are born each year than there are homes available for them. Homeless cats frequently wind up on the streets, and can ultimately end up being euthanized in shelters.
Benefits of spaying female cats before their first heat:
- Prevention of unwanted kittens.
- Reduced risk for malignant mammary tumors later in life.
- Reduced risk of developing an infection of the uterus.
- Reduced risk of developing cancers of the reproductive organs.
- Reduction in overly intense affection, and intense rubbing on objects
- Reduction in marking territory with urine.
- Reduced desire to wander.
- Reduction in heat-induced howling.
Benefits of neutering male kittens while young:
- Prevention of unwanted kittens.
- Reduction in marking and spraying behaviors.
- Reduced cat aggression.
- Reduction in roaming behaviors which can help to reduce your cat's risk of injury.
- Reduced risk of testicular and prostate cancers.
By getting your cat fixed you are helping to reduce the rates of cat homelessness and euthanization in your area.
The benefits of spaying or neutering your cat cannot be overstated. If you're ready to get your cat or kitten fixed, contact the compassionate vets at Animal Hospital of North Asheville today.
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