If we do not want to raise our cats, or if we do not know what future these kittens will have, the best we can do is take them to be neutered or spayed before they have their first heat; that is, at 5 or 6 months of age. But do we know what will happen next?
What is the behavior of sterilized cats? Is it true that they become more sedentary? I am going to talk to you about all this and more below.
What is spay and neuter?
Although both terms are used to refer to the same thing ... this use is wrong, since they have a different meaning:
- Sterilization: It is that operation in which the cat undergoes a tubal ligation and the cat's spermatic pathways are cut. Zeal and its consequences remain.
- Castration: it is that operation in which the cat is removed only the ovaries, or the ovaries and the uterus; and the cat's testicles are removed. Zeal is completely eliminated.
What are the consequences of both interventions?
Sterilization
The consequences of sterilizing cats, be they male or female, are the following:
- They will continue to have zeal. This means meows at night, possible aggressive behavior by the male, escapades, fights.
- They will not be able to have offspring.
- They may continue to mark their territory if they already started doing it before surgery.
Castration
The consequences of neutering cats are many:
- They will not be able to have offspring, nor will zeal.
- They will have less desire to go out.
- The cats will not have psychological pregnancies, pyometra. In both cats and cats the risk of cancer is reduced.
- Their life expectancy increases.
What is the behavior of neutered cats?
The behavior of neutered cats, based on my experience after having castrated a few felines over the last few years, is that they usually become more loving and calm. But it is also important to spend time with them, play with them, and treat them with respect and affection so that everything goes well.