IF my female cat?

Question

is a strictly indoor cat and will be forever, is there a need to spay right away or can one wait.

Answer 1

If I were you, I would run, not walk to the nearest good vet clinic and spay my cat. I'm going to assume that you've never been around a lot of cats in heat? Well, I've had a cattery - I've had to live with cats in heat who I didn't want to breed on their heat cycles and let me tell you, it ain't fun. Now a kitty that doesn't know what's going on for that first heat cycle - well, this is kind of the way it goes. They come into heat - but they don't understand what's going on. They know they want something but they don't know what it is. Is it food? Nope, that isn't what it is....so they go check out their bed. Nope, don't want to go to sleep! Is it my owner? Nope, that isn't what it is either!! Darn, what is it that I want!! All the time, they're meowing, meowing, meowing and twitching their tail, crawling into every available corner, looking out windows, searching for what they want!! Is it under the bed? Nope, not there! How about the basement. Nope, not there either! Sniff sniff - maybe it's outside - look at that kitty out there - I bet that's what I want! Yow yow yow yow - that's what I want - gimme gimme gimme, then they twine around your legs and beg, let me out - let me out - let me out I think you begin to get the idea?? Basically they attempt to drive you crazy with their crying and behavior. Kind of like someone dangling a bar of chocolate in front of you and not letting you have it!!

Cats can stay in heat for up to three weeks if they're not bred, So this behavior can continue for that long. Sounds wonderful doesn't it? And then, to top it off, a lot of female cats will spray when they're in heat!! Yup, they have to let the male cats know that they're in heat, you know, here I am you lovely hunk of maleness! Come and get me!! The fact that the outside cats can't smell them very well inside doesn't bother your inside cat - so your furniture, your rugs, curtains, all can become the target of your female cat. I had one that loved to spray my stove! Talk about fun cleaning up that before breakfast!!! ACK!!! Oh, and btw, the outside males CAN smell your inside kitty when she's in heat and you'll have every single unneutered male in the neighborhood hanging around yowling a serenade to your sweet lady kitty!!

So, spaying that little lovely kitty BEFORE she goes into heat will not allow her to develop any of these behaviors. Or you can wait and see if you like them and try it out?

Seriously, some people do allow their cat to go thru a heat cycle before they spay them but as long as they are near to adulthood, there is no reason to do that - 5 months or thereabouts is a good time to spay. I know that many places do it at 4 months but my own personal preference is 5 months - and please note that I say it's my own personal preference. Many rescue and shelters do it at 8-12 weeks without serious harm. I just don't like it for my own personal reasons.

To spay or not to spay a strictly indoor cat is probably a personal decision but there is always that possible chance she might slip outside during a heat cycle and I would never want to take that chance - I'd spay her. Good luck - hope it all works out for you!!

Answer 2

It's better to spay her as soon as possible.
Unspayed females are more prone to mammary cancer and pyometra (uterus infection). A cat in heat won't just call continously and try to get out, but often will mark with urine too. Often they'll lose weight while in heat, because it takes so much energy and they often won't take the time to eat a full meal. No need to say that cats that go in heat a lot aren't in the best shape possible.
A spayed female's temper is much more even also, since it's not under the influence of hormonal changes (that also cause "mood swings") anymore.
I don't think you'll need any more arguments ;)

Answer 3

Well, in my opinion, spay her! I have a siamese female cat, and I also thought the same thing a year ago. Siamese cats are very vocal cats, and especially my cat, who has this very high pitched meow. Well, when she was in heat, she would meow all day and all night. Once when I came in the door, my cat escaped, and a week later, my cat finally came home, with her belly a little bigger than usual. 24 days later, my cat had 3 kittens. I kinda learned my lesson after that, so 3 months later my cat got spayed. My cat was supposed to be an inside cat, but then, she escaped. Hope this helps your descision making.

Answer 4

If I were you I would go ahead and spay her instead of waiting. I say this because she could get out while you were bringing groceries in, and you not catch her right away. Then before you know it you have a female cat and a litter of kittens. No to mention that the younger/smaller she is when you have her spayed, the cheaper it will be.

Answer 5

I have a colony of sixteen cats. And my individual alternative are feminine cats. They appear to be cleanser than the men, however a few generally is a little prissy in which the men are reasonably extra cute. Just constantly take into account each and every cat has a further character, so possibly you'll be able to get a male and a feminine!!! Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

I have three cats and two kittens right now (three males and two females) so I know what I'm talking about here.

You should Spay or neuter your kitten as soon as possible. Kittens can be spayed or neutered at eight weeks. Kittens mature at a very early age and you don't want your kitten to start "marking" your home with its urine because the urine can be very difficult to remove from carpets and furniture.

In addition, spaying or neutering your kitten will make it prevent it from being influenced by hormones and be more docile.

Good luck!

Answer 7

i have 4 female cats and one male, none of which are fixed ...yes they go to the vet ...but they r inside kittys so i see no reason to go there at least with the girls ive not noticed any unusaul behavior ....this is the first time ive had inside cats tho but all i seen so far is allot of clumbsyness and playfulness all my cats r not much in the vocal department just the claws lol and as far as lifting the rear the lil seem to enjoy being petted (there now 6 mo old) choclolatte at 1 & 1/2 is the mother of the 4 and was preg when we got her she was an outside only cat but easly adapted yet after the babies were born and to date things r still quite ...maybe i just have a strange breed ;D but anyway thats what i have to offer ...unless something is amiss dont go looking ...... just love ur family

Answer 8

My cat is an indoor cat.....was, now we take her out on a harness and leash. if your cat goes into HEAT it will be very annoying for you. I would get her spayed. The vet said it was better to do it sooner cuz they heal faster. (plus it decreases the risks of cancers)

Answer 9

Unspayed female cats, even if not bred, are more prone to mammary cancer than spayed females.

That alone is enough of a reason to have her spayed - you do not want to have her or you go through treatment, surgery, etc. for feline cancer. Ask your vet about the benefits for her and you to doing the surgery now.

Answer 10

Yes you could wait a little but it is a good idea to spay her, the sooner the better. It's healthier for her overall and she won't be going into heat all the time (during which she'll crouch down and show her rear all the time).