Cats-To Neuter Or Not?

For most Cat owners whom are not breeders, the prospect of having litters of kittens is not something one looks forward to. First of all, you will get too attached. Than you will need to find good homes which is harder than one thinks and once you get that litter homes, your cat is starting on her next litter and it just keeps going on until you decide to do something about the real problem.

Did you know that United States has the most cats in the world? An estimated 76,430,000. China is next with 53,100,000 and than Russia at 12,700,000. Cats are a very big industry in the USA with 1000s of products available! But how many of these are wanted and have loving homes? How many are abandoned each year?  How many are killed?
The estimates are millions. So many that most will be euthanised and this is very distrubing for us cat lovers.

Cats are very good breeders. Female cats can have 3 litters of kittens per year with an average of 4 kittens per litter. That is 12 kittens in one year. The Queen will continue year after year having litters, and her offspring will also become sexually engaged with their own litters. Hence, the potential number of offspring from this one female is enormous.  The record is one female giving birth to 19.  Another female gave birth to over 450 kittens during her "motherhood" years.  That is just too many cats! 

Neutering is recommended as the only solution to the world's overpopulation of pets. It is the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and is done by majority of responsible pet owners whom can afford the cost and/or animal shelters when kittens are old enough or new stray cats are brought in. For those that cannot afford to neuter, there are sometimes free clinics or financial assistance provided. The main goal is to reduce the cat population.

As well, there are several other good reasons to neuter a cat, it makes for a better overall pet as it can prevents spraying and wandering if let outdoors which can lead to the Cat becoming injured or lost. Neutering will extends the cat's lifespan by an estimated two to three years.

Neutering is best done outside of the breeding season such as late fall or over the winter. It will require a trip to the Vet Clinic and will be performed under anesthetic. The best age to castrate males is when they are about 5 months old, when the blood flows to the testes is still light, reducing the risk of pain and post-operative complications. The best age to spay females is when they are about 4 1/2 months old and definately before they become sexually mature.

Those opposing neutering indicate that a cat still has a right to enjoy sex and vasectomies and tying of the tubes should be performed instead. Some advocate birth control pills, however, there is still costs. Giving pills to cats hardly ever go well. Keeping the cats indoor during periods of sexual activity is equally difficult particularly if this cat is use to the outdoors. Somehow, smart females and eager Toms always have a way of getting together. A morning after shot can be given if you think or catch the act being done, but it is not the long term solution.

Neutering will cost so it is recommended that you phone several clinic to get an estimate for costs. Male castration is cheaper than female spaying and is sometimes taken into consideration when first choosing a pet. In some places, mass neutering clinics are available at reasonable cost, particularly for those with many cats or those catching semi-feral cats. Some of these clinics will request a small donation.

Kittens are beautiful and a wonder to behold, however, the thoughts of so many having short, hungry, painful lives is reason in itself to ensure that we start to reduce the "unwanted" by taking action with our own pets. Adopt rather than breed.  Promote neutering and spaying.  Become an advocate for humane treatment of Pets.  Stay informed regarding care, health and general information regarding your pets.
   
There is a on going cost to pet ownership,  hence, one must take these costs into consideration when raising pets and deciding whether to allow your pets to breed.