Our topical Thursday comes early this week because it’s World Spay Day. Today, we’re asking a simple question: why should you spay or neuter your cat?
Pet Overpopulation
The most obvious reason is overpopulation. Pet overpopulation is a huge crisis, with estimates ranging up to 70 million stray cats in the US. There are more cats than there are homes, and millions lose their lives in shelters every year. Spaying and neutering can help!
Female cats can start reproducing as early as five months old, and will continue to have litter after litter. And of course, unneutered males are needed to impregnate intact females, so spay and neuter helps break the cycle. and keeps extra cats out of the overburdened system.
Health Benefits
In addition to preventing reproduction, spay and neuter helps ensure your cat’s future health.
Males
Neutered male cats can’t get testicular cancer, and they have an average longer lifespan than unneutered cats. Males are less likely to wander and be lost or be injured in fights. As a result, they are less likely to be infected by diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which is transmitted by deep bite wounds.
Females
Spayed female cats can’t get uterine or ovarian cancer, and their risk of both cervical and mammary cancer are significantly reduced.
You Can Afford Spay/Neuter!
Some people don’t spay or neuter because they think it’s just not in the budget, but many communities have programs to help subsidize spay and neuter. For more information on subsidized spay and neuter in your part of the US:
- Search for reduced cost spay and neuter in your part of the US
- Contact nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay and neuter
- Find veterinarians participating in low-cost spay and neuter voucher program
Make a difference for your cat. Be sure to spay or neuter.
Photo credit: depositphotos/photo-deti
I wish everyone realized how much better off we kitties are when we are fixed!
There is no good reason to not spay and neuter your pet.
Thank you for the links! Very helpful.
Wonderful, important information. (I just love your infographics!!!)
Spaying and neutering definitely have some great health benefits. And it’s true, there are so many places that subsidize or discount the cost these days 🙂
It’s so important to spread the word again and again ! Thank for entering our Word Spay Day Blog Hop ! Purrs
We say ditto to this post x 100!
Hugs madi your bfff
We sure wish everyone would pay attention to this vital information!
100% in total agreement!!!!
so happy that a number of us posted about it!
I can’t believe that some people still don’t get this!
This message needs repeating until everyone gets it. And kittens as early as 16 weeks can experience their first estrus.
having three (or even two) litters in one year is incredibly draining on the mother cat, leaving her weak and with out the internal resources to help fight off any illness that might pop up. kits are also under nourished and are much more susceptible to illness and have a harder time fighting it off..
Keep on spreading the message.
Great post! Back a century ago, TW was so smug she had a coupon to get Nicky neutered for $7. Turned out he had an ingrown testicle or something and they had to open him up. $307 later, he was fixed. But now that I think about it, that’s the vet who would do unnecessary stuff just to make more money.
I wish this screamed across newspaper’s front pages every danged day for a MONTH!
Hope all those sitting on the fence are seeing some of the posts and internet info available and are encouraged to spay and neuter. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
VERY important and timely information!!!