Cat neutering is an essential procedure to offer more health and quality of life to any pet. But even so, many guardians end up postponing surgery for fear of something happening to the animal during the procedure or even when they find out how much it costs to neuter a cat. The good news, however, is that these two issues need not be obstacles: public agencies andNon-governmental entities do sterilization for free, as well as several universities also perform cat castration at popular prices. As for the concern with the feline, just make sure that the chosen place is reliable and take all the necessary care before and after the surgical process to avoid any complications.

With that in mind, we have prepared an article that will let you know everything you need to know about before and after sterilization; about the health benefits of the animal; and the differences between castration in female cats and castration of male cats. Check it out!

Castration of cats prevents the abandonment of kittens and ensures a longer life expectancy for the animal

With shelters increasingly crowded and the number of people willing to adopt a pet disproportionate to the number of animals without a corner to stay, it is worth noting that one of the advantages of cat castration is precisely the help in population control. Many owners do not bother to castrate cats and, when they have their kittens, end up abandoning all - or most of them - ...However, this irresponsible attitude can be avoided with sterilization surgery.

In addition, neutering also offers many specific benefits for the health of the animal! Female cat neutering, for example, excludes the need to use contraceptives for cats, a medication that can be quite dangerous for the pet; and helps to reduce the risk of infections and breast and uterine cancer. Castration of a male cat, in turn, reduces the chances of prostate cancer. otherA positive point is that it reduces the incidence of feline AIDS, which is transmitted from animal to animal through bites and crossbreeding.

Calm down, it doesn't stop there: castration in cats can also bring changes in the animal's behavior - such as improved aggressiveness; fewer escapes for mating; and reduced need to mark territory. That is, with less chance of dealing with serious diseases, the feline has the possibility of living much longer - about 18 years, on average - and inmuch better conditions!

Cat neutering: care needed before the procedure

Although cat neutering is a safe procedure when performed in trusted locations, it is also important to take some precautions before cat neutering. An important point is that the indication for surgery must be made by the veterinarian himself, who will perform a series of tests - such as blood count and electrocardiogram - to find out if the animal is really able to undergo the surgery.anesthesia and throughout the surgical process.

With the professional's permission for the surgery, it is necessary to make some preparations: fasting for 12 hours for food and 6 hours for water; provide protection so that the feline does not bite or pull out the stitches ahead of time (the tip is Elizabethan collar for males, and surgical clothing for females); and take a blanket to wrap the pet after the procedure because it is very likely that the anesthesiamake him very cold.

And speaking of anesthesia for cats, it is important to make sure that the animal goes through the procedure properly anesthetized by a qualified professional. As much as sedatives make the feline immobile during castration, they are not enough to prevent the kitten from feeling pain or experiencing trauma while sterilization is performed. In addition, throughout the process, the felinealso needs to be connected to a monitoring device so that it is possible to check their vital signs and keep track of any changes that may arise.

Castration: do cats have more risks during sterilization or is it a myth?

The sterilization procedure is indicated for both sexes and only brings benefits, but it is true when they say that the castration procedure in female cats is more invasive. The reason is the following: while, in the castration of male cat (technically called orchiectomy), the procedure is done only by removing the testicles from the scrotum, the castration in female cat (or ovariosalpingohysterectomy...),According to the technical name, the surgery requires cutting the muscles of the belly in order to reach the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Because of this, the surgery time (which usually lasts an average of 10 to 20 minutes) also varies and tends to be longer in females.

Another difference is in relation to what to use to protect the area that will be in the process of healing. It is common to wonder if the best is the surgical garment for cat or Elizabethan collar . In the postoperative period of castration in cats , the surgical garment is more indicated than the Elizabethan collar because it covers the whole body and thus prevents the action of contaminating agents that can delay the process of healing.recovery.

However, as much as it is even more delicate, there is no need to avoid the procedure on female cats: just choose a reliable clinic and follow the recommended pre- and post-operative care so that the surgery is smooth, as is the castration of a male cat. In addition to the benefits already mentioned for the health of the kitten, another point to consider is that the owners will also no longer need to do the procedure.deal with feline estrus or the approach of unfamiliar felines during this period.

When to neuter cats and kittens?

The veterinarian is the one who can best tell you when you should have your cat neutered, since the development of the body can be different in each feline. But in general, it is recommended that the procedure be performed while the animal is still young - between 6 and 8 months of life, approximately. When it comes to male cat neutering, however, it is important to wait for the descent of the cat's hair.testicles.

In relation to females, there is the idea that cat castration can only be done after the first heat, but this is nothing more than a myth. In reality, the ideal is to do it as early as possible, since the chances of avoiding health complications - such as the dreaded tumors in the breasts, for example - are even greater when the procedure is performed earlier.

Post-spayment of dogs and cats: understand how to take care of the pet

After the cat neutering surgery, a bandage is made on the incision site - which takes, on average, 7 to 10 days to heal. The Elizabethan collar and surgical clothing will help prevent the animal from moving in the area and hindering the healing process, but care does not stop there. It is very important to prevent the feline from making too many efforts; ensure a clean and comfortable spaceso that it can rest; and, above all, to be alert to any changes in the site to seek veterinary advice at the slightest sign of swelling, redness, bleeding or secretions.

Lack of appetite, drowsiness and even vomiting are common symptoms of cat and dog neutering, but you should also see a professional if you notice that they are lasting for a long time. In some cases, antibiotics can be used right after surgery, while painkillers and anti-inflammatories can be prescribed in the days after if the feline is in a lot of pain.

Being patient with your kitten and giving it lots of affection after the castration are also details that make all the difference so that the animal does not get stressed - and thus end up feeling even more pain. After two weeks, approximately, it is the final stretch: just take the cat to the vet so that he can check how the recovery process went and, finally, remove the stitches.

Choice of food helps prevent weight gain common to cat neutering

A much talked about point about the castration of dogs and cats is the fact that it can cause weight gain in animals, even leading to obesity. But the truth is that the procedure itself is not responsible for this: what happens is that, with the removal of the ovaries and testicles, the production of hormones is affected and the feline becomes less active. Thus, if the diet is not adapted to thisnew scenario, it may be easier for him to put on weight.

But, to avoid this side effect, do not reduce the amount of food the feline eats - after all, the body can be affected by the abrupt reduction of nutrients. The tip is to choose a cat food for neutered cats, which will have low fat content and which is also rich in fiber to increase satiety. When the animal is fully recovered and the incision area is healed, alsoit is worth betting on games that stimulate physical activity so that he returns to exercise, despite the hormonal change.

If the weight gain persists, it is necessary to have a nutritional follow-up with the veterinarian so that he can design the best diet for the kitten.