Positive Health Effects of Spaying and Neutering

In addition to the positive mental health effects of spaying and neutering and the reduction of stress associated with answering the call of the wild, there are many other health advantages, as well. Your cat should enjoy a longer life, with fewer physical complications than if he or she had never undergone the procedure.

For females, all the physical stresses and strains of pregnancy and birth are eliminated. Many queens are not in the best physical condition at the time of conception, due to the biological demands of estrus. Some females are so weakened by weeks of emotional upheaval, including starving themselves until their needs are met, that they enter pregnancy at a disadvantage. The strain of pregnancy causes further problems, sometimes resulting in chronic health problems, stillborn or kittens of low birth weight and/or a queen unable to meet the demands of several nursing offspring. Of course, helpful intervention by humans can ameliorate many of these problems, but the final problem--finding homes for the kittens--still exists!

Males will also be spared the physical and emotional stresses associated with procreation. They will wander and fight less, and be less inclined to mark territory with their urine. They will be less apt to suffer urinary tract problems, show symptoms of stud tail, and will be generally less aggressive, particularly toward other cats. Since they will be involved in fewer fights, they will have fewer injuries, as well.

The decreased inclination to wander will lessen chances of either gender being attacked by dogs or wild animals, or being hit by cars. The risk of reproductive system cancers is reduced to zero, and for females, so is the risk of pyometra, or infection of the uterine horns. Reductions in stress and physical illness lead to a longer, happier life for most animals. And, while an unspayed or unneutered pet is impossible to keep inside, the opposite is true of those who have been "fixed": They are now the perfect indoor pet!

If you were undecided about whether or not to spay or neuter your cat, I hope I have swayed you into making the decision to do so. Not only will you be happier, but so will your cat--who will reward you by making you, and not mother nature, the center of his or her universe.
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The Necessity of Spaying or Neutering Your Cat: Part 1

Unless you are a professional breeder, there is really no reason to allow your pet cat to add to the feline population explosion. To those who believe that this is not a real problem, I direct their attention to the plethora of animal shelters in operation, many unable to fulfill their goal of being "no kill" due to the great numbers of homeless animals delivered to their premises each day.

Some believe that the act of surgical sterilization is inhumane, and unnecessary. They think that, as long as they keep their female cat indoors when she is in heat, that there is no need for surgical intervention. Only people who have not had the pleasure of keeping house with a crazed female cat in estrus would ever say that. Not only will the whining, crying, screaming, rubbing, lack of rest and appetite drive you crazy as well, it will happen more and more, since the need is never satisfied. Add to this the cacophony of males urinating and hanging around your house and you will truly have a taste of what hell must be like! Eventually, your girl will escape (even if you don't throw her out) and become pregnant. So much for that method of birth control!

Amorous tomcats are equally annoying to have around. Therefore, they roam the neighborhood in search of love, thus annoying others. Their screeches as they battle over territory and the females contained therein will awaken even the soundest of sleepers. Finally, depleted, they come home covered in mud, spittle and bite wounds, some festering. A trip to the veterinarian is often needed to deal with the infections and abscesses that result from these nocturnal fights. A savings of $50 soon balloons into vet bills that climb into the hundreds of dollars. Not exactly cost-effective, is it?

For responsible pet owners, spaying and neutering is a natural part of pet care. The operation is very simple for males, only slightly more complicated for females. I remember when my first female cat was spayed. I stayed home from a night out with my friends to keep an eye on her, and wound up following her around the apartment, exhorting her to take it easy! She, of course, acted as if nothing major had happened. My friends poked fun at me for months after that!

Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the actual medical procedures involved, as well as the positive effects on your cat's (and your) mental health.
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