Cat Spaying & Neutering

Cat Spaying and Neutering

Do you have a feline companion? If so, one of the best gifts you can give your cat is neutering or spaying. Doing so will benefit your family as well. Responsible pet ownership is synonymous with these routine medical procedures. At La Jolla Veterinary Hospital, we perform successful neutering and spaying procedures on cats of all ages and breeds.

In addition to preventing pet overpopulation, the procedures can help prevent behavioral and medical problems. Allowing your furry friend to lead a healthier, happier, and longer life.

What Are Spaying and Neutering?

Cat neutering is the surgical removal of a male cat’s testicles, while spaying is the removal of a female cat’s uterus and ovaries. Only a trained veterinary surgeon can safely and properly perform these procedures.

What Happens During Cat Neutering and Spaying Surgery?

Before surgery, your vet will likely perform a complete physical exam of your cat. The veterinarian may also draw some blood for analysis. Your veterinarian will perform the procedure while your furry friend is under general anesthesia. We want your cat to be as comfortable as possible during surgery.

Afterward, we will tell you how to care for your cat during recovery. The surgery site should heal within two weeks. However, most cats can resume their normal activities within a few days. Your vet will remove any skin stitches during your follow-up appointment.

Reasons to Neuter or Spay Your Cat

Few people would feel comfortable watching an animal get euthanized. However, this happens to millions of animals in shelters across the U.S. annually. Many animal welfare organizations work hard to decrease the number of euthanized animals by opening low-cost neuter and spay clinics. These clinics help reduce the number of animals, including cats, that need homes.

Neutering or spaying your cat will prevent unwanted births. Non-spayed female cats, according to the Feral Cat Project, can produce up to 100 other cats throughout their lifetime, including offspring their non-spayed kittens will eventually have.

Only a few cats in shelters are lucky enough to find new homes and caring human companions. Many die from starvation, disease, exposure, or trauma. It’s the reason we recommend neutering or spaying your cat to prevent these tragedies.

Other Benefits of Neutering/Spaying Your Cat

• Medical Benefits

Spaying your cat will help her live a healthier, longer life. It will decrease the risk of breast tumors and prevent uterine infections. Spay your cat before her first heat to offer the best protection from these health conditions. Regarding male cats, neutering will prevent testicular cancer and specific prostate issues.

• Behavioral Benefits

Spayed female cats do not go into heat. Cycles tend to vary, but female cats typically go into heat about five days every three weeks during their breeding season. To attract mates, they usually urinate and yowl more frequently. If you want to prevent your cat from urinating all over your house during the mating season, get her spayed by a licensed veterinarian.

On the other hand, an intact male cat will do almost anything to find a mate. Once he is outdoors and free to roam, he risks getting into fights with other animals and getting injured in traffic.

Also, an unneutered cat is more likely to spray strong-smelling urine all over your house to mark his territory. To prevent this behavior and other aggression problems, have your cat neutered by your veterinarian.

For more on cat spaying and neutering, visit La Jolla Veterinary Hospital at our office in La Jolla, California. Call (858) 454-6155 today to schedule an appointment.