To Spay/Neuter or Not To Spay/Neuter? Myths & Facts

Many cat owners debate the issue of whether or not to spay/neuter their pets. Here are the myths and the facts:

Myth #1: I need to let my female cat have at least one litter before I get her spayed.

Fact: Cats do not, for any reason (medically or otherwise) "need" to have a litter before they are spayed. Many shelters spay kittens so they can be adopted, even before they are old enough to go into heat for the first time. Ideally, cats should not be spayed before they are 5-6 months old. You probably didn't know this, but a cat can go into heat every 3-4 weeks and stay in heat (and thus, primed for pregnancy) for an average of six days. It's miserable for them, they may scoot and leave blood on your carpet or furniture, and they certainly will cry/howl during that time. 

In addition, cats who have not been spayed run a much greater risk of getting mammary (breast), uterine, or ovarian cancer than unspayed cats. Also, their risk of uterine infections (sometimes chronic) is much higher. There is also the issue of overpopulation. Millions of unwanted, stray, and feral cats are euthanized each year because people didn't bother to get their pets spayed, and they ended up pregnant (the pets, not the owners). If you feel an overwhelming need to have kittens to play with, there are hundreds of foster programs that will gladly supply you with kittens to love and enjoy until they find their forever homes.

Myth #2:  If I get my cat spayed/neutered, they'll get fat.

Fact: Pets don't get fat unless you overfeed and underexercise them. It's that simple. Spaying and neutering have NO effect on metabolism. As long as you watch how much your cat eats and play with them often, they will maintain their sleek physique.

Myth #3:  Spaying/neutering my cat is expensive, and I can't afford it.

Fact: There are many shelters and humane associations that provide free or very inexpensive spay/neuter clinics periodically. Call your local shelter or humane association to find out more about this. Many of these have spay/neuter mobile units that can come to your neighborhood, so you don't even have to drive to them.

Myth #4:  I feel bad about getting my male cat neutered (Men mostly say this). 

Fact:  Male cats who are intact (not neutered) are much more likely to fight with other cats and get injured, spray urine to mark their territory (all over your walls, carpets, furniture, etc.), and develop testicular cancer or enlarged prostates that make it very difficult for them to urinate and cause all kinds of medical problems for them. How bad would you feel about that?

The upshot of this is GET YOUR CAT SPAYED/NEUTERED. They'll be happier, you'll be happier, and there will not be hordes of unwanted kittens languishing in shelters hoping to be adopted, not euthanized.