Spaying Kittens Can Save Lives!

Yes, your girl kitten will miss out on being a mom. But, motherhood is not necessary for feline happiness and fulfillment. Besides, you and your kitten can both benefit from spaying.

What is Spaying?

Spaying cats involves the surgical removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes of female felines. It is typically performed around the ages of 5 to 7 months. However, some vets do the surgery as young as seven weeks. The best time to spay female kittens is before sexual maturity and first heat. Sexual maturity depends on the breed between 6 -10months.

The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A kitten must be in a healthy state prior to surgery. Most kittens will have to stay overnight at the hospital after surgery. A few days after surgery a kitten may be sore at the site of incision. Give you kitten space to re-cooperate.

Make sure that they don’t chew or rub on the wound site. Surgical spaying complications include: bleeding, lack of removal all reproductive tissue, and ureter damage. There is some evidence that spayed cats may gain weight after spaying. Weight gain may be, in part, due to a slowed metabolism.

What is "Heat"?

"Heat",also known as estrus, is the time in a female cats reproductive cycle when they are fertile. "Heat" cycles are regulated by temperature, the hours of daylight, and the availability of tom cats. In the Northern Hemisphere, feline "heat" cycles run from March through September. In the Southern Hemisphere, "heat" cycles are from October through March.

Signs and Symptoms of "Heat" in a Female Kitten
• Overly affectionate towards humans
• Urine spraying
• Loud meowing
• A raised backside posture
• Aggression
• Increased appetite

Health Benefits of Spaying Kittens

There are many health benefits of spaying to felines. Kittens may not realize the benefits. However, owners are truly saving lives when they get their kittens spayed.

• Decreases False Pregnancies

  False pregnancy occurs when a female cat releases an egg that is not fertilized. The cat may or may not have all of the signs of pregnancy. But, it is not truly pregnant. False pregnancy is a self-limiting issue. It is resolved after 40 days after the heat cycle. However, it can be an annoying problem.

• Lowers the Risk of Cystic Ovaries and Uterine Infections

  Cystic ovaries result when the ovaries produce too much estrogen. This creates a prolonged heat cycle. Which means you must deal with the constant behavioral issues that come with it. Your feline may be irritable, fight, and have a whole host of other behavior problems.

  Most uterine infections occur due the effects of estrogen production from the ovaries. Removal of the ovaries completely eliminates both cystic ovaries and uterine infections.
  
  

• Stops Estrus

  The surgical removal of ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus completely stop the heat cycle. This means no more tom cats hanging around your house spraying strong smelling urine and no more loud mating calls.

• Lower Risk of Breast Tumors

  Breast tumors are very common in unsprayed cats. Almost 80% of feline breast tumors are cancerous. And feline breast tumors spread quickly and are quite malicious. The options for treatment include surgery and chemotherapy. The best prognosis for survival happens when the tumors are caught early. Just save your kitten the trouble and get them spayed.

Behavioral Benefits of Spaying Kittens

Just think no more urine spraying, no more cleaning urine smells out of your carpet, no more whining, and no more trying to prevent you kitten from going outside to meet tom cats. Your kitten will have an even temperament. They’ll spend less time focused on mating and more time being a happy member of your family.

• Stops Urine Spraying

  Contrary to popular opinion, both male and female cats spray urine during mating season. Males spray to mark territory and tell other male cats “This is my space”. Female cats spray to let male cats know that they are available for mating. When your female cat is spayed, you’ll eliminate potential suitors coming to your door and reduce the amount of time spent cleaning cat urine.

• Prevents Kitten Injury

  Kittens in “heat” will do anything to get outside to meet a suitor. Outside, they could get hit by a car or meet people who are unwelcoming to felines. If your kitten’s not spayed, expect to spend a lot of time devising new ways to keep them inside your home.

• Prevents Feline Euthanasia

  Spaying kittens prevents thousands of kittens from being born on the streets without loving homes. Millions of kittens are born each year and thousands are eventually euthanized because there are simply not enough suitable homes. Save a kitten’s life and get them spayed.

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