Castration of the cat: when it is necessary, risks and consequences


What do we know about cat castration? Why is it sometimes advisable and what’s the difference with sterilization? Everything you need to know.

It is never easy to tackle the topic of ‘castration’ with cat owners: many feel guilty or frustrated at the thought of necessarily having to subject their feline to such a definitive and painful operation. Although it may seem absurd to take away from a cat the possibility of having kittens, in reality it is sometimes the only possible solution. Similarly, there are some health conditions that make the operation necessary to prevent other difficulties from arising. In short, cat castration has always been a difficult topic to deal with, as well as sterilization, but we will try it in a simple way.


Cat castration: when to do it and why

Although the idea of ​​depriving the cat of the possibility of having descendants is incredible, in many cases it is necessary precisely to prevent it from giving birth to kittens that no one can take care of. Let’s start from a premise: that of procreating, for a cat, is the direct consequence of his sexual instinct Di him. In fact, precisely for this reason they would be led to have so many ‘children’ that often a master is not able to look after. Sometimes it is not a question of will, but also problems of space, economic etc. Precisely for this reason castration is often used as the ultimate solution, also in order not to be terrified by the possible encounters of the cat and when it is not under our close surveillance.

Furthermore, a cat that is not neutered, in the pubertal age, may feel the need to find a companion with which to mate: this could lead the feline even very far from home, with the risk that it may get lost or run some danger (from accidents to illnesses) infectious diseases of the cat.


The behaviors of an uncastrated cat

When a cat is in heat it gives off some particularly significant signals: it rolls on the ground, emits particular noises to call the male and often suffer from loss of appetite. Furthermore, when a cat does not mate she can suffer from various diseases, including mammary gland tumors, intimate problems and cysts. A castrated animal does not have these behaviors and therefore does not risk getting sick from the aforementioned pathologies.


Sterilization and neutering: commonalities and differences

We often talk about both without having a clear idea of ​​the subject. This is what both neutering and feline neutering consist of.

  • Sterilization: it is an operation that is carried out on female cats, and consists in the removal of the uterus and ovaries (also called ovary-hysterectomy). It is made either with a ventral incision (from the abdomen) and sutures to close the wound. The latter has the advantage of forcing the cat to a very short convalescence, but is rarely used due to its rather onerous cost. Neutering can only be done after anesthesia, although the latter can have serious (even lethal) consequences on the cat’s health. When to sterilize my cat? After four months of age and in any case after the first estrus.
  • Castration: it is carried out on male cats, whose testicles are removed (in fact it is called: orchiectomy). This type of wound also requires sutures, although recently a rubbery material has been used that equally closes the torn skin. When should it be done? Towards 6 months of life, or when the testicles have now descended but the blood that flows in them is still in small quantities, to avoid the risk of bleeding. The neutered cat does not suffer from urinary tract diseases, as previously believed.

Castration of the cat: costs, duration and convalescence

First of all you have to wait until the cat is mature but does not exceed six months of life: this helps not only to prevent the cat from procreating without limits but also to run as few risks as possible for its health. The operation itself takes about 20 minutes and, after a few hours, the cat can be brought home. During his convalescence he will have to observe absolute rest, in order to recover his strength and get back in shape. The cost of the operation varies depending on the veterinarian who performs it, but also depends on the regional costs. Usually when a cat is adopted from the catteries, the specimens are already sterilized and the new owner can make an offer at will.

Post-castration convalescence does not require special care: you need a lot of rest and perhaps make sure that the cat does not lick the wound too much. This could become infected and swollen, requiring the necessary intervention of the veterinarian.


Neutered cat: characteristics

A cat that has undergone the operation usually has other disorders: those related to food (obesity in cats), behavioral (apathy and indifference to humans and others like it). Certainly he will not suffer from the ailments related to the heat period, precisely because he will not suffer hormonal upheavals. Obesity is due to lack of movement and increased hunger, although energy needs decrease. Therefore it is advisable to adopt a specific diet for him, with products specially designed for sterilized cats, which contain fewer calories and fewer carbohydrates.

Of course, by eliminating sexual desire, the instinct to mate will also be eliminated. They will usually be more docile and less likely to fight with their peers. It also reduces the risk of more common diseases such as IVF or FeLV.


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