Getting Your Cat Fixed: When and What to Know

Surgery to have your feline friend spayed or neutered not only prevents your cart from having kittens but also protects them against a number of serious health conditions. Our vets in Smyrna discuss the benefits of having your furry companion spayed or neutered and what to expect when getting your cat fixed.

Getting a Cat Fixed: Why is it Recommended?

Every year, a large number of unwanted cats and kittens arrive at shelters across the United States. Having your cat spayed or neutered is the single most effective way to reduce the number of unwanted cats in Smyrna shelters.

However, the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet don't stop at population control. Along with reducing the unwanted kitten population, a spayed or neutered cat also has a reduced risk of certain medical conditions.

At what age should you have your cat spayed or neutered?

Did you know that your kitten only needs to be 8 weeks old to be spayed or neutered? However, standard spay and neuter procedures are often performed when a kitten is between five and six months old.

It is worth noting that your cat can be fixed at any time in their life, as long as they are deemed healthy. Your veterinarian can examine your cat and advise you on when it is best to schedule a spay or neuter surgery.

Spayed and Neutered Cats: Are These Surgeries Different?

The main difference between spayed and neutered cats is that male cats are neutered and female cats are spayed. Here is more about these two surgeries:

Having Female Cats Spayed

A spayed cat's ovaries and uterus, or sometimes just the ovaries, of the female cat are removed surgically. Your cat will not be able to have kittens after she has been spayed. 

Having Male Cats Neutered

Neutering (sometimes called castration) refers to the removal of a male cat's testes. Your neutered male cat will not be able to father kittens. 

The Procedure For Getting a Cat Fixed

There are a number of steps during the process of paying or neutering a cat. They are:

1. Your vet will conduct the appropriate diagnostic tests before surgery to ensure your pet is healthy enough to safely undergo the operation. Spay and neuter procedures are done using general anesthesia and typically take between 20 and 90 minutes to complete, depending on your pet's size and any specific medical considerations.
2. Following anesthesia, the hair on your pet's abdomen will be shaved down and the skin thoroughly disinfected. The organs are then removed, either laparoscopically (with surgical lasers) or with a traditional scalpel, both of which are safe.
3. After the procedure is complete, the vet will use skin glue, sutures (stitches), or surgical staples to close your pet's skin. Staples or stitches will need to be removed by your veterinarian 10 to 14 days after the procedure. 
4. While the actual procedure is relatively quick, you can generally expect your pet to spend a few hours at the hospital, allowing time for check-in, initial physical assessment, the surgery itself, and time for recovery from anesthesia. 

Recovery After Being Spayed or Neutered: How to Help Your Cat Recover

You should notice a significant improvement in your performance within a day or two, with a complete recovery taking about two weeks. Keep your pet calm and do not allow them to jump during this time, as this can cause their incision to reopen. Examine the incision daily for signs of infection, such as swelling, discharge, redness, or a foul odor. If you notice any of the following, please contact your veterinarian.

Should be sure to continuously monitor your cat throughout recovery to ensure that they are not being overly active or showing signs of complications.. If they still seem lethargic or are not eating or drinking after 48 hours, this could indicate infection. Bring them to an emergency veterinarian for care or follow up with your primary vet. 

Benefits of Spayed Female Cats

Controlling the Cat Population

Before she is even six months old, your tiny little kitten may actually be mature enough to have kittens of her own. By spaying your female cat before she reaches this age of maturity, you can help reduce the population of unwanted cats in your neighborhood. 

In addition, female cats can birth as many as four litters a year. When we consider that the average litter can range in size from two kittens (from a young mother) to as many as 10 kittens, that's a staggering number of potentially unwanted cats. 

Keeping Your Pet Healthy

Spaying your kitten before she has her first heat can help to reduce her risk of pyometra (infection of the womb) as well as mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens who go on to spread the disease even further. Pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners. 

Preventing Attacks on Wildlife

It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds each year. Keeping the number of homeless cats to a minimum can help save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife.

Deterring Bad Behaviors

Female cats that have not been spayed will go into heat frequently throughout the year, attracting male cats from all over the neighborhood to your home and garden. Unneutered male cats prowling around your property looking for your female can be a problem because they tend to spray, fight, and caterwaul. Spaying your female cat may help keep male cats out of your yard.

Benefits of Neutered Male Cats

Reducing the Risk of Unwanted Kittens

While male cats don't actually have kittens themselves, one unneutered male cat in your neighborhood can make many female cats pregnant. That's why neutering male cats is as important as spaying females when it comes to population control!

Protecting Your Cat Against Health Concerns

Neutering your male cat may help slow the spread of serious cat diseases such as Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) that are often spread between cats during fights. Neutering can help to reduce cat aggression and may mean fewer injuries from fighting. Neutered males also tend to stay closer to home which helps to reduce their risk of being injured by vehicles. 

Deter Undesirable Behaviors

Unneutered male cats tend to spray more inside the home than neutered males and can be aggressive toward their owners. Having your male kitten neutered while young can help prevent these behaviors from developing. Unneutered male cats often roam large areas, looking for unspayed females to mate with. These males will spray to mark their territory and frequently fight with other male cats, which can be aggravating, noisy, and unpleasant.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.