Why Have Your Cat Spayed Or Neutered?

 
Every year, millions of cat owners make the decision to have their cat spayed or neutered. Their reasons for spaying or neutering their cats vary, but all of those reasons help illustrate why getting your cat "fixed" is such a good idea. 

The host of problems caused by un-spayed or un-neutered cats each year have prompted numerous local pet organizations to require that all adopted pets be promptly spayed or neutered as a condition of their adoption.

Most of the problems listed below would be avoided if more people simply took the time to have their cats spayed or neutered. 

Here are the top 7 reasons for having your cat spayed or neutered:

1. The most important reason for spaying or neutering is simply that there are too many unwanted litters of kittens being born. Millions of cats are done away with each year by local pounds.
   
   The vast majority of these beautiful creatures would be accepted for adoption with loving families, but there simply aren't enough families seeking cats to give all of these animals a good home.
   
   Just one un-spayed female cat can produce three litters of kittens per year, with an average of five kittens per litter. 
    
2. Many unwanted cats that aren't done away with or adopted are often abandoned by their owners and become feral cats. It is estimated that there are as many feral cats as there are cats that have loving homes.
   
   Feral cats often carry diseases that they pass on to other pets, as well as wild rodents and birds. As a result, a large feral cat population can have a bad effect on the environment.
   
   By having your cat spayed or neutered, you can be sure that your pet will not contribute to this growing problem. 
    
3. Un-spayed female cats are in heat several times each year. By spaying your cat, you'll prevent many unwanted behaviors, including yowling and spraying. You'll also prevent the need to confine your precious pet for several weeks out of each year. 
    
4. Male cats that haven't been neutered also pose several problems. Mature male cats often feel a desire to "mark their territory".
   
   Also, the mating instincts in un-fixed male cats can't be controlled, and they will often wander off for days at a time looking for a female that is in heat. Many male cats wander around and get lost. You can avoid this by neutering yours. 
    
5. A spayed or neutered cat is a healthier cat. Female cats that are spayed before their first heat will have a lower risk of mammary cancer, and they're unable to develop pyometra, a very serious uterine condition.
   
   Male cats that have been neutered are less likely to be involved in catfights over females, or of developing problems with their prostates. 
    
6. Cats that have been "fixed" are often more friendly with their owners than cats that haven't been fixed. Not only are they more friendly, but there are also fewer unwanted behaviors for their owners to deal with.
   
   It's a lot easier to have a good relationship with your cat when you don't have to deal with all of the unfortunate situations that accompany a pet as it reaches maturity. 
    
7. Having your cat spayed or neutered will most likely save you money in the long run. First, you won't need to replace furniture that has been picked, gouged, chewed, or wet on by a female cat in heat, or a male cat marking his territory.
   
   You'll also save a lot of money by preventing health problems in your cats. And the small fee for having your cat spayed or neutered will pay dividends down the road by avoiding unwanted litters of kittens.

Larry Chamberlain is the webmaster of Best-Cat-Art.com and a lifelong cat lover.

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