Reasons to Spay a Female Cat

While many people find kittens adorable and cuddly, there are simply too many of them for the number of available homes. You can reduce the number of unwanted kittens and help your female cat live a happier, healthier life by getting her spayed. Spaying is a routine surgery for veterinarians, and the health risks are minimal compared to the risks of pregnancy.

  1. Health Reasons for Spaying

    • Spaying a female cat eliminates the risk of ovarian or uterine cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of mammary gland cancers. It also prevents health problems and complications associated with pregnancy. Unspayed cats that come into heat but don't get pregnant can develop pyometra, a potentially fatal infection of the uterus.

    Behavioral Reasons for Spaying

    • Female cats in heat can be downright obnoxious, and they can come into heat three to four times a year. They may start spraying urine, and they yowl and pace constantly if kept indoors. The female will try to escape at any opportunity in order to find a mate, which leaves her open to being attacked by strange animals or run over by cars. Spayed female cats are calmer, don't have the urge to spray or seek out males.

    Societal Reasons for Spaying

    • Spaying female cats prevents unwanted litters of kittens. A female cat can have multiple litters per year, and there are simply not enough homes for all of the kittens born every year. Shelters destroy seven out of 10 cats taken in simply because no one wanted to adopt them.

    Other Reasons for Spaying

    • A female cat in heat attracts intact males from a wide area. They may spray the area around your house, and engage in noisy cat fights while you are trying to sleep. The cost of spaying your female cat is less than the cost of caring for one litter of kittens in a year.