My family took in two female strays a few years ago, and they've never been spayed. They aren't overly annoying when they are in heat, and because they are always indoors, they have no access to male cats. Therefore, their not being spayed doesn't really hurt us -- but my question is this: does going through the heat (and not being able to do anything to meet their "needs") actually hurt the cats themselves in any way? Is it painful or stressful for them? I'd hate to put them through the surgery since none of the reasons for doing it is an issue (heat's not annoying or destructive and no males = no kittens), but if not doing so is putting my kitties through weeks of misery... :/ They're also about five years old, if that helps determine a better answer.
2007-02-08 16:25:36 · 9 answers · asked by Cati 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Added details: Nope, no bleeding, the worse thing is their walking around in embarrassing positions. The biting and the meowing doesn't bother me in the slightest -- but it bothers my family members, which might be something else I can use in my persuasion to get them fixed...
2007-02-08 16:43:30 · update #1
The main risk of not spaying is the risk of uterine infection late in life. Uterine infection occurs most often in intact females who were never bred. Every time an animal goes into heat, the cervix dilates a little bit, and bacteria have opportunity to enter the uterus. Sometimes this bacteria rages out of control, turning the uterus into a big bag of pus. If this happens, it's a life-threatening emergency, like appendicitis in people, the uterus can burst, releasing all that toxic crap into the abdomen. Also animals that aren't spayed/neutered have a higher risk of cancer than animals who were fixed at a young age-the influence of hormones increases cancer risk.
2007-02-08 16:31:15 · answer #1 · answered by lizzy 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not spaying a female cat increases their risk of developing a whole host of cancers later in life. Aside from the annoying behavior while their in heat, it is just 'safer' to have them spayed as they will go to great lengths to get out. Tom cats have been know to rip through screens, etc. to get at a female cat in heat. The surgery itself is fairly simple (as with any surgery, there are always risks) and risks minimal. She will probably be a little lethargic for the first day, but recovery is fairly quick. As for males, neutering is just as simple and will also reduce risks later in life. It will also reduce / eliminate spraying / marking.
It is simply the most responsible action you can take as a pet owner. You never know, your female kitties could escape one day (I have indoor cats and my oldest who I have had for 14 years has made a dash for it once or twice).
2007-02-08 16:47:12 · answer #2 · answered by bluefish787 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am against it. Cats have existed for millions of years without it. I used to do it, and i realized that it benefits the vets pocket book more than the cats, which almost always get fat and have big personality changes after it was done. I have had 5 cats and now at age 50 have not done it on my last 2 female cats, the last one died at age 16, my most recent is now 7. If their life span has been reduced I have not noticed it.
2016-05-22 14:16:35 · answer #3 · answered by mike c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would do it....its not an invasive surgery really. Don't they bleed? My only thing is what if they DO get out. Then there would end up being a bunch of kittens running around probably end up dying. As for things not being a problem. You won't know how annoying these things are until you don't have to deal with them.
2007-02-08 16:35:30 · answer #4 · answered by klingler_f 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is very uncomfortable to be in heat so that is one good reason why you should go ahead and get her spayed. As you can tell from the other posts there are many more advantages so please do the poor kitty a favor and have her fixed.
2007-02-09 00:25:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can cause health problems due to the fact that the cat is still producing the hormones associated with going into heat. They can build up and potentially lead to very serious health problems.
2007-02-08 16:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by OpheliaDrowns 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very bad not to neuter your pets even if they don't go out. They can get diseases. Both male and female cats can get different kinds of problems. Males will have urinary problems and famales will end up with kidney problems. You may be shortening the life span of your cats.
2007-02-08 17:04:09 · answer #7 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats that are not spayed are 70% more likely to get cancer.
2007-02-08 23:32:25 · answer #8 · answered by KathyS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am against spaying and neutering they survived without it in the wild they can survive it indoors too
2007-02-08 17:34:20 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋