Why Spay/Neuter?

With each cat "fixed" (spayed/neutered), you’ll help control cat overpopulation - but there are also many benefits for HEALTH and BEHAVIOR that come with spaying (female cats) and neutering (male cats).

#1 FOR GOOD HEALTH:

Your cat can live a longer, healthier life!

  • Spaying a female cat helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 90 percent of cats. Spaying a cat before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases as well as pyometra, a potentially fatal infection.

  • Neutering a male cat prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

#2 FOR BETTER BEHAVIOR:

  • Spayed female cats won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during the breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!

  • Neutered male pet cats will be less likely to roam. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.

  • Neutered males may be better behaved. Neutered cats are less likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house and yard, and fight less. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

#3 TO SAVE MONEY:

  • Yes - You’ll actually save money! The cost of a spay/neuter surgery can be far less than the cost of feeding and caring for litters of kittens.

#4 PREVENT CAT OVERPOPULATION:

  • There are more cats than available homes, resulting in far too many having to face the daily challenges of living on the streets.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

Won't spaying or neutering cause my cat to become overweight?  

No! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your cat will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor her food intake.

When can I get my cat spayed/neutered?

It is safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered; they must be 2 pounds. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, it’s recommended to schedule the surgery before your cat reaches 5 months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat or nursing kittens.

How do I make an appointment?

Call us at 503-797-2606 or click here.

 

Thanks to the ASPCA for some of the content above.