We at Lonely Miaow strongly believe that cats and kittens should be de-sexed as soon as possible. There are already so many unwanted cats and kittens in New Zealand - we really do not need any more. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that early de-sexing has a number of benefits both in terms of your cat's health and behaviour. If you would like to know more, or are not convinced that your cat needs to be de-sexed please keep reading.
Desexing involves the removal of the reproductive organs. For females this means the removal of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tube. For males this involves removal of the testicles. These procedures have a number of important health and behavioural benefits for your cat:
For females, desexing eliminates the chance of developing ovarian or uterine cancers or infections, and greatly decreases the risk of developing tumours of the mammary glands.
For males, removal of the testicles results in a decrease in testosterone. Testosterone has been shown to decrease a male cat’s immune system, making it more difficult for him to fight off infections. So desexing can make your cat more resistant to infections.
Desexing your cat means there is less risk of him or her wandering to find a mate – which means there’s less risk that he or she will get lost or injured by cars or dogs. It can also reduce spraying, particularly in male cats (although female cats have been known to spray too). Your cat may also be more affectionate and settled as they are not stressed by heat cycles. Male cats will not be as aggressive as they do not need to fight over females on heat, which in turn means fewer injuries and fewer vet bills.
An un-desexed female will come into heat every 3-4 weeks from spring to autumn, starting somewhere between the age of 4 to 7 months. If she is not mated, she may stay on heat from anywhere between 7 to 21 days at a time, and there may only be a few days between each heat cycle. While she is on heat, your female cat will be very vocal, she may display mood swings, advertise to local tom cats by marking vertical surfaces in your house and will do anything in her power to get outside. Every tom cat in the neighbourhood will be on your doorstep calling loudly, spraying to mark his territory and trying to get to your cat. If a tom cat succeeds in getting to your cat, you can expect 3 to 6 (or more) kittens to arrive approximately 67 days later. Your cat can also become pregnant again before her kittens are weaned, producing multiple litters (up to four) per year. The number of kittens a single tom cat can create each year is even higher.
Please call your vet now to arrange to have your cat desexed. Many vets will now desex a kitten once it reaches a weight of 1kg. As there are already more cats and kittens than there are loving homes, bringing more kittens into the world simply contributes to the problem of stray and abandoned cats and kittens.
But I can find them all loving homes!
Every kitten you bring into the world and re-home, takes a loving home away from another unwanted kitten fighting for its life “on the street.” Even if you have six family members, friends and colleagues who have said that they would love to have one of your cat's kittens, when it comes down to it, you're likely to wind up holding the babies. Suddenly your friend's partner will be allergic to cats and your work colleague's husband will refuse to have another cat in the house. Please get your cat desexed.
Desexing is too expensive!
Desexing does cost – females cost more than males as the procedure is more involved. However, if you “shop around” you should be able to get a good deal. The Humane Society may also be able to help with the cost. The SPCA also has a desexing bus which may be able to help – call the SPCA to ask about this.
The cost of a litter of kittens should also be considered. You will need to feed your cat on good quality food while she is pregnant and nursing to ensure she has the nutrients required to support her kittens. Under the Companion Cat Code you are legally required to keep the kittens with their mother for the first 8 weeks of their lives, unless a vet advises otherwise for the health of the mother or kittens. This means you will be feeding the mother cat and up to 6+ kittens. The kittens may need to be wormed and given their first flea treatment before they go to their new homes, and their first vaccinations are due at 6-8 weeks of age. If the mother cat needs an emergency caesarean she will need to be rushed to the vet. If a kitten or the mother cat gets sick you will need to pay for the vet and any medication. The kittens will also need a litter tray and clean litter. Remember, a female cat can produce up to four litters of kittens per year. As the owner of the mother cat and kittens you are legally required to ensure they receive adequate water, food, medical attention and shelter. Failing to do so may lead to prosecution. Is desexing your cat really that expensive?
But desexing is painful and risky!
As with all surgical procedures there are some risks, however these are minimal. Vets perform these procedures many times each day and know what they are doing. There is also evidence to suggest that the younger a kitten is when desexed, the faster they recover. Your vet will also prescribe sufficient pain relief. The most important thing is that you give your cat or kitten peace and quiet to recover in the few days after surgery, and keep an eye out for any complications – the earlier they are caught and dealt with, the better.
Having kittens is not without pain or risk for your cat or kitten either – and when having kittens she is unlikely to have pain relief or a vet present.
Someone told me I need to wait until after her first heat/litter
The desexing procedure is much simpler when done before the first heat or litter. In general, kittens also appear to recover more quickly when desexing is done while they are younger. So you really do not need to wait until after the first heat, and definitely do not need to wait until after the first litter.
I want my kids to experience the miracle of birth
Are you also going to show your children the flipside of the miracle of birth – all the unwanted cats and kittens fighting for survival on the street? A nature video or a trip to Auckland Zoo during spring will show your children the miracle of birth without contributing to the problem of unwanted cats and kittens. Another option is to foster a pregnant cat. This would be a valuable opportunity for your children to learn about caring for animals.
My cat will get fat if I desex him/her
False. Your cat will get fat if he/she does not get enough exercise and eats more than necessary. If your tom cat is not out chasing female cats every day and night he won’t need as much food – so make sure you adjust his diet accordingly.
I will deprive my cat of experiencing motherhood
Cats mate out of instinct, not due to a biological clock. Your cat will not get depressed as a result of being unable to have kittens. She will not even realise she is “missing out” on something. As long as she has a home, food, attention and “her person,” she will be satisfied.
“A boy’s gotta do what a boy’s gotta do”
An un-desexed male will constantly wander and get into endless fights. This means many injuries, many expensive vet bills and a potentially horrible death due to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), the cat alternative to HIV. Is this really what you want for your cat?
