Spaying and neutering is an essential surgical procedure to avoid unwanted pregnancy and overpopulation. It also offers numerous health benefits to improve your cat’s quality of life and longevity. At Tucker Road Animal Hospital, we work extremely hard to bring you the accurate information you need.
If you’re looking for a highly trained veterinarian in Hood River, OR, we’d love to see your cat for either procedure, so please call us at (541) 386-1566.
What is the difference between cat spaying and neutering?
Veterinarians use the term spaying when removing the reproductive organs from a female cat and neutering when removing the reproductive organs from a male cat. Spaying involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus, while neutering removes a cat’s testicles — both to prevent reproducing.
How does spaying or neutering impact the health and wellbeing of your cat?
Spaying or neutering has a significant impact on the health and wellbeing of your cat, from preventing pregnancy to positive behavioral changes. It’s a critical part of the AVMA’s guidelines for responsible pet ownership.
How soon should you bring your cat in to see a veterinarian to get them spayed or neutered?
At Tucker Road Animal Hospital, we recommend waiting until your cat is five to six months of age to get spayed or neutered, The AAFP says the ideal age is five months. At this age, they will handle the anesthesia much better, and they’re still young enough that it’s before males develop secondary sex characteristics and females have their first heat. If your cat does go into heat, we can still spay her- believe it or not, she will stay in heat unless she is spayed or gets pregnant!
What are the medical benefits of spaying or neutering your cat?
While the most significant medical benefit of spaying or neutering your cat is avoiding unwanted pregnancy, there are several other health and behavioral advantages.
Benefits of spaying or neutering your cat include:
- Prevents unwanted litters and reproduction
- Reduces the risk of reproductive-related cancers, including:
- Mammary and ovarian cancers in female cats
- Testicular cancer in male cats
- Helps prevent infections of the reproductive tract in female cats
- Reduces roaming behavior in male cats, lowering the risk of injury, fighting, or getting lost
- Decreases urine marking and spraying behaviors in male cats
- Helps reduce fighting and aggression between cats
- Eliminates heat cycles and the urge to escape and breed in female cats
- May help some cats become calmer and more relaxed overall
How should you care for your cat before and after spaying or neutering surgery?
Before spaying or neutering, the most significant consideration is to ensure they’re heading to your veterinarian for the procedure with an empty stomach, as anesthesia can make them nauseous. This includes avoiding food after midnight the night before. If you have an outdoor-only cat, keep them inside the day before surgery. At Tucker Road Animal Hospital procedures are done on an outpatient basis, so you’ll bring them to the hospital in the morning, and they will go home with you later that day.
Following the surgery, keep your cat quiet in their own space where they won’t be bothered by other pets or young children. Females come home with stitches underneath their skin and males do not have any sutures in place. Keep a close eye on how the surgery sites are healing during the first two weeks. Generally, cats bounce back from the anesthesia pretty quickly, although they might be tired for a day or two.
At Tucker Road Animal Hospital, your pet is our priority. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call our team at (541) 386-1566, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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