| Every year, many cat owners decide to get their cat | | | | mating instincts in un-neutered cats cannot be curbed |
| spayed or neutered.This decision is made for several | | | | or controlled, and often these male cats will wander |
| different reasons, all of which illustrate why it is such | | | | far and wide, for days at a time in search of a |
| a good idea. | | | | female that is in heat. Sometimes when male cats |
| The many problems caused by un-spayed or | | | | roam they get lost and do not come home. By |
| un-neutered pets each year are part of what has | | | | neutering your cat, you can prevent this. |
| prompted numerous humane societies to require that | | | | 5. It is better for your cat's health to be sterilized or |
| any adopted animals be promptly spayed or neutered | | | | neutered. For example, female cats that are spayed |
| as a condition of adoption. Many of the problems | | | | before their first heat will have a reduced chance of |
| that are listed below would be alleviated if more | | | | mammary cancer, and will be unable to develop |
| people took the time to get their pets spayed or | | | | pyometra, which is a serious uterine condition that |
| neutered. | | | | can cause death. Also, anunwanted pregnancy in an |
| With that kept in mind, here are the top seven | | | | already ill or aging cat can be fatal. Male cats which |
| reasons to have your cat spayed or neutered. | | | | have been neutered have less chance of being |
| 1. The most important reason is simply that there are | | | | injured in fights over females, or of developing |
| too many unwanted litters of kittens. Millions of cats | | | | prostate problems |
| are euthanized each year. 90% of these animals | | | | 6. Spayed or neutered cats are often more friendly |
| would be acceptable for adoption into families, | | | | with their owners than they would usually be. Not |
| unfortunately, there simply are not enough families | | | | only are the cats more amiable, but as has been |
| looking for cats to give these animals a good home. | | | | mentioned before, there are fewer unwanted |
| A single un-spayed female cat can produce three | | | | behaviors for their owners to contend with. It's much |
| litters per year, with an average of four to six | | | | easier to have a good relationship with your cat |
| kittens per litter. | | | | when you don't have to worry about all of the |
| 2. Unwanted cats that are not euthanized or adopted | | | | unfortunate situations that come up after your pet |
| are often abandoned and become feral. It is | | | | has reached sexual maturity. |
| estimated that the feral cat population is as large as | | | | 7. Getting your cat spayed or neutered will save you |
| the current number of cats that have homes. Feral | | | | expense in the long run. First, it can save you money |
| cats can carry diseases as well as harm the | | | | by eliminating the need to replace furniture that has |
| populations of wild rodents and birds. As a result, a | | | | been damaged by a female cat in heat, or a male cat |
| large feral cat population can have a damaging effect | | | | marking its territory. Next, since the procedure is |
| on the environment. By having your own cat spayed | | | | fairly inexpensive, it may save you a lot of money by |
| or neutered, you can ensure that your pet will not | | | | preventing health problems in your pet. |
| contribute to the growing problem. | | | | Something to remember: You should still get your cat |
| 3. Un-spayed female cats go into heat several times | | | | spayed or neutered, even if you don't think that you |
| a year. By spaying your cat, you can prevent several | | | | can afford the procedure. Look around in your area |
| unwanted behaviors, including spraying, hours of | | | | for low cost or even free services. |
| yowling, and you will not have to confine your cat | | | | If you have a pet related web site and you wish to |
| for several weeks out of the year. | | | | reproduce the above article you are welcome to do |
| 4. Male cats that have not been altered are also | | | | so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, |
| more difficult to care for. Sexually mature male cats | | | | including this resource box and live link to: |
| often feel a need to mark their territory. Also, the | | | | Information about your favorite cat breed. |