What alternatives are there to spaying?

Question

Was wondering if there are any alternatives to spaying a female cat and if so, what (if any) the health risks/side effects are?

No need to give answers about unwanted kittens etc etc.
I completely understand the pro-spaying arguments which I agree with however people tend to get a tad evangelical about it and I'm finding it hard to recieve impartial advice re. alternatives.

And yes, if I don't find an alternative I'm happy with I'll get her spayed so please please resist!

Thanks for your answers so far. Only one response about unwanted kittens I'm inpressed! (please don't think I'm belittling the importance of this, I know! I agree! Just not relevant to my question and I don't need persuading!!!). Seriously though, I want what's best for my cat as do you all so thank you.

Of course I don't want to lock my cat indoors, nor risk pregnancy nor allow her to begin to have heat cycles as from everything I've heard this won't make her happy. Spaying is obviously an easy answer and I totally support it as a method to keep the population under control. It is however a serious operation - general anesthetic is not good for cats (or humans!) and removing a cats overies seems extreme if there is a more non invasive way to ensure my cat is happy, healthy and doesn't get pregnant. Even if this causes more effort/expensive for me I want to do whats best.

Answer 1

a locked cage

Answer 2

Cats can have something like a tubal ligation, which means their fallopian tubes are tied off, so the eggs, once released, do not travel to the uterus, and cannot get fertilized. But the female cat continues to come into heat, to whine and cry and rub and mate. But she never gets pregnant.

The glitch in this is that it was always my understanding that fertilization or some hormonal process around fertilization is what sends the hormonal signal to turn off estrus. Since fertilization never occurs with this form of plain old birth control, I don't know what triggers the cessation of all those behaviors that get real old real fast in an ovulating queen.

But I do believe I hae read something about that somewhere, and also about vasectomies in the males -- which make as much sense as a tubal ligation for the females.

You may want to go online and google something like the Cat Fanciers Association -- which sponsors the big annual cat show here at Madison Square Garden in NYC every year. They would be into the calculus of issues like this, or could put you in touch with someone, perhaps a breeder, who could help.

Answer 3

THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERTIVE TO SPAYING!

Spaying you cat is actually healthy for them. Unspayed cats tend to get more infections, and other diseses that can be carried by other cats or animals. Having your cat spayed will actually make them more mollow and hang around the house more then if they are not. If you chose not spay then when she get in heat you will have to clean up after her because she will be dropping little drips of blood on the floor. Not only that Male cats can be very aggressive around female cat in heat. Not only that but most cats have any where from 4 to 8 kittens per litter and they can reproduce 2 to 3 times a year. Each cat is different. So, now you know the pro's and the con's now it is up to you to make the right decision for your cat.

Answer 4

If there are alternatives to spaying, to keep cats from coming into heat and having kittens, I don't know of it. HOWEVER, if you don't plan to breed, or even if you do, at sometime you MUST get her spayed for her HEALTH. Unspayed/un-neutered cats have a VERY HIGH chance of developing cancer. I always warned my "kitten clients" to get their females spayed for their own good, but didn't realize, at the time, that even though my dog had had puppies, she could still get "mammary" cancer. I (mistakenly) believed that having puppies would deter the cancer......WRONG! She got it, and by the time I realized that's what it was (she was black and heavy), she was too sick for surgery! That's why I really advize people to get their animals "fixed". Good luck...hope this wasn't too "evangelical" for you. :-)

Answer 5

There is no alternative to spaying.

If you don't get her spayed, you will have to recognize that for her life, she will go into heat, in which she will bleed. You'll need to make her wear kitty diapers, or follow her around with towels to keep from staining your house. You will also need to make sure she is an indoor-only cat, or well contained so that she can't get out and get impregnated, OR that stray or loose toms don't get into your yard and get her impregnated. This si very difficult with cats, adn it's seriously insane when a cat or dog goes into heat - how many animals it attracts! So you need to be vigilant about this. There is no other procedure, spaying is the only option.

Answer 6

I'm not aware of any alternatives to spaying. I always thought spaying and neutering was the best thing you could do to help control the pet population.

www.maketheconnection.co.nr

Answer 7

the only thing you could do is keep in if you dont want kittens,but wont stop them coming in heat and having male cats about

Answer 8

Years ago, I worked for a vet who used hormone implants. They usually lasted at least six months, usually longer. I am not sure if they were available commercially, or if it was an extra-label use (a drug which was developed for one thing, but he used it differently).

Answer 9

Ovarid is a hormone which postpones oestrus but shouldn't be used longterm. Comes in tablet form for use in cats and dogs.

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Schering-Plough_Animal_Health/Ovarid/-34556.html

Answer 10

I have never heard of anything like a pill or a shot that would prevent heat cycles in cats.

Statistically unspayed cats are prone to developing mammary cancer later in their lives even if they have ONE heat cycle and not necessarily breed.

It's not something you want to deal with believe me.

Answer 11

For what reason do you want an alternative?
One to act as a 'contraceptive', one to stop her coming into season? One to stop the blood flow? One to prevent phantom pregnancies? One to change how she matures?
Not sure exactly what it is you want an alternative too. If you know, please expand your question! =)