The levels of pet homelessness throughout the US has reached crisis levels. This is especially true for cats, who are far less likely to be cared for by a veterinary professional and transferred to a loving home. Spaying and neutering is one way we can help to reduce pet homelessness and prevent the overpopulation of stray cats throughout the nation. Our pet surgeon in Lake Worth FL also recommends spaying and neutering to help prevent and eliminate certain health conditions in cats. Many types of cancers can be prevented or the risk significantly reduced through the process of spaying and neutering. Keep reading to learn more about why spaying and neutering cats is always the humane choice.
Cats can be spayed or neutered at any age, but it is recommended that it is done before they reach six months old. This is because cats reach sexual maturity at six months, and female cats will go into their first heat. Having your cat spayed or neutered before six months can provide them with health benefits like a lower risk of uterine infections, uterine cancers, breast cancers, prostate issues, and the elimination of testicular cancers. Kittens as young as eight weeks can be spayed or neutered, so talk to our pet surgeon in Lake Worth FL about scheduling your cat's appointment. Overall, cats that have been spayed or neutered live longer, healthier lives and have less serious reproductive health issues as adults.
After six months, male and female cats will reach sexual maturity. When a female cat goes into heat, she will attract male cats to mate. This will lead to unwanted pregnancy, possible spread of disease, and cats will be more likely to wander. Wandering cats are at a higher risk for parasitic infections, such as heartworms. The symptoms or a parasitic infection are hard to detect, and it is possible that your cat could be infected for months, even years, without showing any symptoms. That is why it is so important to take preventative health measures such as spaying, neutering, and using parasite prevention methods. Wandering cats are also at a higher risk for injury due to being out in the wild. It is possible that a wandering cat could get lost and never return. Choosing to have your cat spayed or neutered will make them far less likely to leave because they won't be seeking out a mate.
Our pet surgeon in Lake Worth FL also recommends spaying and neutering to curb aggression in cats. Cats that have not been fixed are more likely to be aggressive, unpredictable, loud, and fearful of strangers or other animals. Spaying a female cat will prevent her from cat calling or trying to attract males, and neutering a male cat will reduce the chance of him growing up to be aggressive. Their quality of life will be far more improved and they will be more sociable, friendly, and peaceful in the home.
Help reduce the overpopulation of stray cats and protect your cat from serious health issues by talking to our team about spaying and neutering. Call our pet surgeon in Lake Worth FL to schedule your cat's appointment. You can reach our team by calling (561) 964-3144.
