Wordy Wednesday: 7 Reasons to Spay and Neuter

Given that yesterday was World Spay Day, mommy and I thought it was appropriate to list some great reasons why everybody should spay or neuter their fur babies.

1. Spaying female cats helps them live longer, healthier lives: According to the ASPCA, spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle is the best way to prevent breast cancer and uterine infections.  These diseases are fatal for 90% of cats.

2. Spaying and neutering helps reduce pet overpopulation: According to the Humane Society of the United States, six to eight million animals enter shelters each year.  While half of these companions find loving forever homes, the other half are tragically euthanized.  It's heartbreaking to think that so many wonderful, loving, sweet companions are being euthanized each year.

3. Neutering your male cat will not make him fat: It's a myth that neutering your male kitty will make him get fat.  The truth is, if you monitor your cat's food intake and provide him with opportunities to exercise regularly, your kitty won't become overweight.

In fact, Carmine was neutered as a young kitten (he was neutered before I adopted him and he was four months old when he came to live with us), and he's never been overweight.  He's eight years old now and weighs a health 9 pounds, 7 ounces.

4. Neutering provides your male with health benefits: Getting your male cat neutered before he turns six months old prevents the development of testicular cancer later in life.  Additionally, About asserts neutering reduces the risk of male cats developing mammary cancer.

5. Spaying eliminates the heat cycle for females: Female cats tend to cry and pace when they are in heat.  When you eliminate a female cat's heat cycle, you will also eliminate these behaviors.  It is important to note that female cats do not need to have a litter of kittens before they are spayed.

6. Neutering improves mancat behavior: Neutering prevents many problem behaviors in mancats.  For instance, neutered males are less likely to spray.  They are also less likely to be aggressive or try to escape.

7. Spaying and neutering is cost-effective: There are many low-cost spay and neuter clinics available in the United States today.  Please check out our "Low Cost Spay and Neuter" page to find one near you.

Spaying or neutering your cat is cheaper than taking care of a litter of kittens.  Additionally, because your male cat won't feel a need to roam, he is much less likely to get into fights with other cats in the neighborhood, which reduces the possibility of needing to take your cat to the vet for fight-related injuries.

Spaying and neutering provides many benefits to your cat.  We hope that you will help reduce animal overpopulation and give your kitty a longer, healthier life by spaying or neutering him or her.

Sources:

About: Reasons for Spay and Neuter of Cats

Humane Society of the United States: Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

ASPCA: Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet