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Unless you are a professional breeder, there is no reason not to spay/neuter your cat. Not only do unaltered cats contribute to the problem of unwanted animals, but unaltered cats face more problems throughout their shortened life.

Controlling Unwanted Animals

The easiest way to control the amount of unwanted animals that end up in shelters and may be euthanized is to spay/neuter. A single female cat can have three to four litters per year, with each litter ranging from three to five kittens, on average. Since cats reach sexual maturity quickly, within a matter of four to six months, by the time these new kittens start reproducing, the original female may have been pregnant two additional times. This means the number of cats and kittens rises exponentially. Many people also assist with trap-neuter-release (TNR) programs, where colonies of outdoor cats are spayed/neutered and maintained to prevent increases in the colony's size.

Prevent Undesirable Behavior

Both male and female cats display unappealing behavior when they are unaltered. Instead of having the cat spayed/neutered, some people just abandon them. Males that have reached reproductive age without being neutered are more likely to spray and mark their territory, which includes the inside of your home and your possessions. Female cats are more affectionate than usual when they are in heat, and there may be blood coming from their vagina. They can also spray like males to mark objects. Both male and female cats are noisy during mating season, which can be especially obnoxious at night. Male cats are more likely to fight with other neighborhood cats, which can lead to significant injuries, such as deep scratches, bites, missing eyes, and torn ears. All of these injuries are likely to become infected without prompt medical attention.

Increased Disease And Injury Risk

The increased disease risk seen in unaltered cats comes from different factors. Since unaltered cats take every opportunity to leave home and mate, they will likely come into contact with diseases from other cats. This can include chronic diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or rabies, which is quickly fatal. Cats roaming outdoors and fighting with other cats may contract parasites that leave them balding. Much like humans, if you have reproductive organs, there is always the risk of developing reproductive cancers. Since unaltered cats will roam, this places them at significant risk for injuries from wild or unfriendly animals, cruel humans, and automobiles. Sadly, it is common for cats to be hit by cars, especially in residential communities.

The easiest way to reduce your cat's risk of controllable diseases and help them live a long, healthy life is to have them spayed/neutered. In addition to protecting their health, you are doing your part to reduce the number of unwanted animals.

For more information about spaying and neutering, reach out to a clinic such as Animal House Veterinary Hospital.