Effects of Spaying & Neutering Cats

Some cat owners are concerned that spaying or neutering a cat before it reaches maturity might cause an adverse effect. The website KitznKatz Bengals reports that studies on this topic by the University of Florida found that there were no known negative side effects. In fact, the study showed that earlier spaying or neutering aids in the healing process. In days past owners delayed the spay/neuter process until the cat was older because of concerns about anesthesia. But anesthesia is now safer and can be used on cats as early as seven weeks.

  1. Growth

    • You can prolong the growth of a cat with spaying or neutering before it reaches sexual maturity or its first heat and may end up with one larger than it would have been with the operation. This is because long bones in the body tend to grow for longer in a neutered animal. This is not rapid but prolonged growth. When growth is slower, bone density increases and this is beneficial to the cat's health. According to Dr. Dick Rosebrock, on the website Great Danes Online, spaying and neutering of prepubescent animals does not result in adverse results. The procedure does not stunt growth, although it may slow it down.

    Observable Differences

    • There were no observable differences in urinary tract development between animals that are spayed/neutered and those who aren't, according to the study. It was also noted that spayed/neutered cats remained as active a non-altered cats. The cat's personality will not change as a result of the procedure, notes the Wisconsin Humane Society.

    Health Protection

    • A benefit of spaying a female cat includes protection against uterine infections and mammary cancer. In males, it reduces the risk of an enlarged prostate and associated infections as well as testicular cancer.

    Less Aggression

    • Altered cats are less aggressive than those who haven't been spayed or neutered and they are more affectionate. Because they are not constantly seeking a mate with whom they can reproduce, they are less likely to get into fights and roam.

    Other Benefits

    • When a cat is neutered it eliminates the spraying that goes along with being territorial and aggressively male, as well as vocalization.

    Population Control

    • A natural, and obvious, consequence of spaying and neutering is control of the animal population.