4 Benefits of Sterilizing Your Cat

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If you have a cat that is older than six months, then it is time to get it sterilized. The procedure is known as spaying in female cats and neutering in male cats. The procedure is simpler in male cats and the incision heals completely within a few days. For female cats, the healing process can take up to 10 days as the procedure is slightly more complex.

There are a number of benefits of sterilizing your cat. Here are a few of the important ones.

• Aggression is reduced. Sterilization causes a change in the level of hormones in your cat’s body. The change in hormones leads to temperamental changes and can help make your cat docile and calm.
• Keeping the cat indoors is easy. If you have a female cat that is in heat, she will meow incessantly, try to run out of the house every time the door opens, and can get aggressive. She may stop eating or eat very less and will be very agitated. If you have a male cat who smells a female cat in heat, he will get aggressive and try to run out of the house. Sterilization prevents such occurrences.
• Reproductive cancers can be prevented. Removal of reproductive organs ensures that cats do not contract reproductive cancers, which are very common in older, unsterilized cats.
• Unwanted pregnancies can be avoided. You will avoid pregnancies, especially when you do not have the space or time for kittens in your house. It can be extremely difficult and expensive to care for newborn kittens and to get them adopted.

Female cats can go into heat about four times a year or more. If there is a virile male cat around, the female cat will have litter at least a few times every year. Many of these kittens will die, get killed, or land up at shelters for lack of permanent homes for them, where they will most likely be put down.

• Ensure you do not feed your cat 6–12 hours before the procedure, depending on the age of the cat.
• Do not give drinking water to your cat about 4 hours before the procedure.
• Have an empty room ready with mats, warm blankets, and water, as your cat will experience uncontrolled vomiting and urination for a few hours after the procedure.
• Stay with your cat before, during, and after the procedure, as your presence will help keep your cat calm.

Your vet will be able to give you the exact requirements before the procedure. An empty stomach is mandatory as anesthesia leads to nausea and vomiting in cats. If the stomach is not empty before the procedure and the cat vomits once unconscious, it could choke your cat and cause medical complications.