3 Reasons Why You Should Spay, Neuter Or Castrate Your Cat
Spaying or neutering your kitten is something a new pet owner should consider. Spay refers to a female and castrating refers to a male. Neutering can refer to both sexes. A cat spay and neuter procedure consists of surgically removing the reproductive organs. Here are three reasons you should consider this procedure for your pet.
Longer Life Expectancy
A cat that is spayed or neutered is more likely to live longer. According to USA Today, pets that live in states with high spaying and neutering rates have a longer life expectancy.
This procedure decreases the risk of your cat developing certain types of cancer. An unspayed female kitten is more likely to develop uterine infections, uterine cancer and other reproductive cancers. Castrating a male kitten eliminates the risk of getting testicular cancer. It also lowers the risk of male kittens getting prostate cancer.
Decrease The Amount of Homeless Animals
Homeless animals are a problem for many cities. There are only so many shelters to house these animals. Many of the animals in the shelter are not getting adopted. The animals that are not adopted are euthanized. The tragic part is that these animals are healthy and would make great companions.
The only effective birth control method for cats is to spay or neuter them. If you are a pet owner, then you are helping society by getting this procedure done on your pet. This means less animals are roaming the streets without a home.
Preventing Bad Behavior
Unneutered and unspayed cats are more likely to engage in negative behavior. Urine marking is one of the main problems. The urge to spray is extremely strong in female and male cats that still have their reproductive organs. You can prevent this problem by getting your pet neutered or spayed before there is a problem. According to Spay USA, you can get your cat neutered or spayed as early as two months old. This procedure can also minimize howling. It can be annoying to wake up to your cat howling in the middle of the night. Other behaviors that can be prevented from having this procedure are roaming, mounting and aggression.
Many pet owners are excited about adding a kitten to their family. You have a responsibility to provide the proper care for your pet. Choosing not to neuter or spay your kitten can significantly reduce his or her lifespan. An unneutered or unspayed cat tends to have an increased urge to roam, which exposes them to getting hit by cars and fighting with other animals.