It’s as simple as this – Have your cat spayed or neutered at 5-6 months of age.
Spaying and neutering will prevent unwanted kittens…thousands of unwanted cats are put to sleep every year in Reno and Washoe County…and will also prevent or reduce the risk of many serious diseases and cancers. It will also make your cat less prone to aggression and will make your life substantially easier.
In addition to saving lives, spaying and neutering can also drastically improve your cat’s health and life expectancy. The idea that pets become fat or lazy when they are spayed or neutered is a myth. Sterilized cats lead healthier, longer lives. Spaying a female eliminates the possibility of uterine and ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. Neutering a male reduces the risk of both prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Neutering also will make your pet more affectionate and less likely to roam, get in fights, or become lost.
Having your cat neutered is basic responsible pet ownership and should be seen as a normal procedure for your pet to undergo. It’s good for your cat, you, and the community.
It’s Good for Your Cat
- Spayed and neutered cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying female cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer.
- Neutering male cats reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
- Neutered cats are less likely to roam and fight.
It’s Good for You
- Spayed and neutered cats are better, more affectionate companions.
- Spaying a female cat eliminates its heat cycle, which usually starts at around 6 months of age, if your female cat has not mated her cycle may last for 7-10 days and recur at 15 -21 day intervals. Females in heat will “cry” incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted Tomcats.
- Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to bite. Unaltered animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those that have been spayed or neutered.
It’s Good for the Community
- Quite a bit of money is spent in Reno and Washoe County to control and eliminate unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of feral cat bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
