What Is Kitten Desexing?
Kitten desexing is the surgical removal of a cat’s reproductive organs, usually before it is six months old. This is done to prevent the cat from reproducing and prevent certain behaviours, such as fighting with other cats in the household.
The procedure involves the removal of both testicles in a male cat or the removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female cat. The procedure is relatively simple and takes about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many animals are being operated on at one time. It can be performed under general anaesthesia or with an intravenous sedative.
The first thing you need to know about kitten neutering is that it is a procedure that prevents the cat from reproducing. Kittens can be neutered at any age, but it usually occurs around six months. They are then old enough to understand what is happening and are healthy enough to recover from the procedure.
If you have a female cat, she will need to be spayed before she can have kittens of her own. During spaying, the uterus and ovaries are removed so she can no longer get pregnant or produce eggs. This prevents her from getting diseases of the reproductive system, such as uterine cancer and ovarian cancer. It also reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.
Matraville Veterinary Practice is a veterinary clinic that provides veterinary services, including kitten spaying and neutering in Matraville, NSW and surrounding areas.
How Kitten Desexing Works And Why It Is Important
Most commonly, a male cat will have both testicles removed, but a female cat may also have both ovaries removed. Here are some things you should know about the procedure.
The testicles produce male hormones called androgens. These hormones control sexual behaviour in cats. They also stimulate the growth of the male external genitalia.
When you desex a kitten, the testicles are removed. This means that the androgens produced by the testicles are no longer released. The male behaviours stimulated by these hormones are reduced, and the genitals stop growing.
This does not mean that the cat loses all its masculine behaviours. The cat no longer drives its reproductive instincts with hormones, so certain behaviours disappear, such as trying to escape to find a mate. The testicles are also the source of sperm. By removing the testicles, the cat can no longer reproduce. Therefore, it will mark its territory with urine less often and roam less.
Spaying is a very similar procedure but is usually performed on female cats. It involves removing the ovaries and uterus. This eliminates the source of hormones that would otherwise stimulate the reproductive system.
Spaying also makes it less likely that the cat will roam. It also eliminates the risk of ovarian cancer, uterine adenocarcinoma and uterine sarcoma.
The Advantages of Desexing Kittens
There are many benefits to desexing your kitten. Matraville Vets recommends the following most important ones.
- Neutering Kittens Prevents The Spread Of Disease
Neutered cats are less likely to roam in search of a mate because hormones do not control their drive. This means they are less likely to spread disease to other cats.
Roaming is the most common way diseases transmit from one cat to another. They spread through direct contact and urine, which can easily be picked up from other cats’ noses when marking territory. By desexing your kitten, you can help limit the spread of disease.
- Kitten Desexing Reduces Irritability
Cats that are not neutered often become highly irritable. They become more aggressive and are more likely to start fights with other cats in the household.
Neutering a cat effectively lowers the androgen levels in the animal’s body. This reduces aggressive behaviour and decreases irritability.
- Neutering Reduces The Risk Of Cancer
The testicles are the primary location for one type of cancer, testicular cancer. The testes are also the primary source of testosterone, one of the androgens that stimulate male sexual behaviour.
If you have a cat neutered at a very young age, the risk of testicular cancer is minimised because the animal can no longer produce sperm. The risk of other cancers is also reduced since the cat no longer has hormones stimulating the reproductive system.
- Kitten Desexing Prevents the spread of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline immunodeficiency virus is a disease that attacks the immune system of cats. It prevents the immune system from being effective against bacterial infections, making the cat susceptible to such infections. The virus is passed on through saliva and blood, meaning it is transmitted through bites or fights. When fighting occurs, the virus is transmitted and leads to immunodeficiency.
Desexing your cat will help prevent the spread of this disease by lowering the hormone levels in the cat’s body and reducing the risk that it will feel the need to fight with other cats.
- Kitten Desexing Reduces Aggression
Male cats that have not been neutered become more aggressive when they reach sexual maturity. They may start marking their territory with urine and try to flee to find a mate. Desexing a cat can help reduce this behaviour by eliminating the risk of testicular cancer and reducing the urge to fight and roam.
- Desexing A Cat Will Improve Its Relationship With You
When your pet is neutered, she becomes more loving, affectionate and attentive. It will be less aggressive, less irritable and less inclined to roam. She will also be easier to train and take to the toilet.
- Kittens Desexed Before Six Months Have A Lower Risk Of Developing Cancer
Studies have shown that a cat’s risk of developing testicular cancer decreases by more than 50% if it is neutered before six months old. This type of cancer is no more common in cats than in humans and no more common in male cats than in female cats.
However, studies have shown that removing the cat’s testicles early in life reduces the likelihood that she will develop this type of cancer.
- Kitten Desexing Helps Prevent Behaviour Problems In Cats.
Behaviour problems can be challenging to manage, especially in cats. These problems can include aggression, straying and irritability.
Neutering a cat does not cure these problems, but it does make them much easier to deal with. The irritability in male cats when they are sexually mature can be eliminated by desexing.
- Desexing A Cat Reduces The Risk Of Developing Certain Health Disorders
The reproductive system of cats is particularly susceptible to certain health disorders. Neutering reduces the risk of cancer and the risk of infection of the reproductive system.
- Desexing Makes It Less Likely That The Cat Will Spray Urine In Your Home.
Male cats that are not neutered and allowed to roam outside will spray their urine to mark their territory. Neutering a male cat reduces this behaviour by about 90%.
Why Do You Need To Follow Your Veterinarian’s Guidelines For Desexing Kittens?
Desexing kittens is a routine procedure. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind to ensure your pet’s neutering is done with a minimum of inconvenience and risk.
First of all, you need to make sure that you follow your veterinarian’s guidelines for desexing. They will tell you how old your kitten must be before the procedure.
The veterinarian will also tell you how long you need to wait before performing the procedure. Cats older when they are desexed are more likely to have complications during the procedure. Your veterinarian may also tell you to give your pet medication to relieve pain during the procedure.
The Dangers Of Skipped Cat Desexing And Why You Should Avoid It.
Kittens should be desexed by their first birthday, three months after they are born. This is the ideal age, as cats are not yet mature in their development. The operation is faster and easier at this age, and the chances of success are more significant.
Cats must be desexed at this age because they still have a smaller reproductive system. This makes it easier to remove the reproductive organs and ensure that there are no complications.
Here are several reasons why it is not a good idea to skip desexing kittens:
- The Operation Is More Difficult To Perform Later In Life
As a cat gets older, its reproductive system becomes much more complex. A cat’s scrotum then contains more testicles, so the testicles must be removed one at a time, and the urethra must be carefully removed to avoid problems. The older the ileum, the more complex the surgery is likely to be.
- The Cat Is More Prone To Complications
The risk of complications is higher in an older animal undergoing desexing. Complications are more likely to occur because the surgery is more complex.
It is also higher because the animal has a chance of developing other health problems. If the animal is already sick, it is more likely to develop complications during or after surgery.
- The Cat’s Behaviour Is Likely To Change
Most people prefer a cat that is less aggressive and more affectionate. However, an aggressive and irritable cat will not be more affectionate after it is desexed. Aggressive cats are more likely to hurt their owners, be destructive, and be more likely to spray urine around the house.
It would be best if you never considered skipping a kitten desexing. If you are concerned about the cost, consider the price you will have to pay if you do not have your cat desexed.
You should consider a kitten desexing if you have a cat that will undergo a personality change. Your cat will be more likely to be affectionate and less irritable if you desex him.
Matraville Veterinary Clinic offers the best methods for desexing your cats with minimal pain and stress if you need professional veterinary advice on desexing your cats. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate.