If you’re bringing a new kitten or cat into your home, one of the first things you need to do is have them desexed.
This routine, safe and important procedure is as much about being a responsible pet owner as it is about putting your cat’s health and wellbeing first.
But why is it so important – and why is it a matter of urgency?
Desexing prevents reduces strain on animal shelters
Cats can start breeding from as young as four months of age, and this has caused a huge problem of pet over-population and homelessness across the country.
Every year in Australia around 400,000 cats and dogs are up for adoption in shelters and pounds, and sadly around 200,000 are euthanised because of the incredible strain on shelters to adopt animals and make room for new arrivals.
This incredibly high (and tragic) number of perfectly loveable pets could be significantly reduced if pet owners ensured their animals are desexed as soon as possible. The sooner you organise desexing for your cat or kitten, the sooner you protect them from contributing to these statistics.
Desexing prevents unwanted pregnancy
Accidental pregnancy can cause health complications in young kittens, as well as place a burden on the family home to either keep the litter or try to have the new kittens adopted.
It’s also hard for pet owners to detect when their cat or kitten is in season. Unfortunately, regardless of whether you can tell if she’s in heat or not, your furry companion will attract a lot of interested male cats. This can be dangerous, as feral (and domesticated) cats often fight, creating costly injuries and trips to the vet that could have been avoided with desexing.
Desexing is beneficial to the long-term health of your cat
Giving your cat or kitten the chance to have a long, healthy and happy life is made easier by having them desexed. Not only will they be better protected against unwanted pregnancies or from fighting males when in heat, they are better protected against certain diseases and illnesses.
The likelihood of mammary cancer, and even uterine infections, are greatly reduced in desexed cats. It also reduces your cat’s desire to roam, which means they are less likely to be involved in accidents with people and vehicles – saving you traumatic trips to the vet for emergency help.
When to desex your cat
The best time to desex your cat is before they reach puberty – around six months of age. For adult cats that haven’t been desexed, they can still undergo the simple procedure, even if they’ve been pregnant before.
The team at Matraville Veterinary Practice will work with you to understand your pet’s health and individual needs – so you know that your cat or kitten is in safe hands. To book a routine health check, or to chat to us about desexing, give our friendly staff a call and we’ll take care of everything.