Among lovers of domestic cats, one can often hear conversations. Does a cat need sterilization? The pros and cons of this operation are many, but the main thing is to know right away – if you decide to sterilize your cat, you should understand that you are responsible for her life and health.
And before deciding to sterilize a cat, you need to consult a veterinarian, because not all cats can have this operation.
Cat sterilization is a surgical operation to remove its reproductive organs. Such operations are now permitted and practiced in all civilized countries, where animals are cared for at the state level and prevent the appearance of stray animals, including cats.
Homeless cats
Depending on age, there are two types of cessation of childbearing function: sterilization and castration. Each has its own pros and cons. For young cats that have never given birth, sterilization is performed, this is an operation to remove only the ovaries. But for those who have already given birth at least once, complete removal of both the ovaries and the uterus is required, this is castration. So the common belief that cats are only sterilized and cats are neutered, in principle, is not true.
Often, owners of cats, learning about this, are wondering what is best to do: sterilize or neutered? If we compare these two surgical interventions and the risk to the health of the animal, then after sterilization in the future, different pathologies, inflammations, and sometimes neoplasms in the genitals can develop. Actually, therefore, now veterinarians choose castration, considering it a more reliable way to stop the animal’s reproductive activity while maintaining its health.
The optimal time for sterilizing cats is between 8 and 12 months of age. During this period, the operation is considered safe, since the genitourinary system is already fully formed and will no longer develop. In addition, such a procedure is contraindicated in case of intolerance to anesthesia, as well as in the case of some serious diseases previously transferred.
When asked whether a cat should give birth before the sterilization procedure, experienced veterinarians categorically answer: it is impossible! The operation should be done as soon as possible in order to prevent mating.
The cat, the most popular pet, like all living creatures on the planet, has one of the most powerful instincts – reproduction, because it depends on it the survival of the genus. A similar instinct, which “turns on” according to a special biological rhythm in the body at certain times of the year, is especially evident with the onset of spring. For people containing cats, this period is a big problem.
A cat is a mammal with special fertility. With the onset of puberty, a cute fluffy lump can become completely uncontrollable, aggressive, meow loudly day and night, refuse food and always try to escape to the street. And if the cat runs away from home, then in a couple of months it will bring kittens, which then have nowhere to put. On average, there are 5 kittens per one lamb, sometimes even more. And if we consider that some cats have estrus and a mating period several times a year, it becomes clear what problems cat owners expect.
Cats are almost always ready for mating, sometimes even if no more than a week has passed since the birth of the kittens. However, frequent pregnancies and childbirth cause irreparable harm to the health of the animal itself, and this becomes a great threat to their health. Often, cats giving birth and feeding cubs lose weight greatly, their hair loses its luster, digestion problems appear, they lose activity and quickly age with all the ensuing consequences.
In addition, the uncontrolled birth of kittens is not beneficial to any owner. With the birth of kittens, a lot of problems appear in the family, where to keep them, what to feed and generally what to do with them. If in some families with rather rude manners it is considered normal to just stoke kittens, then in families where children are instilled with love for animals, this situation is simply unacceptable. At the same time, the appearance of an entire cat brood in an apartment will rarely leave anyone calm.
