What is sterilization?
Cat sterilization is a surgical procedure that involves removing the reproductive organs to prevent reproduction and improve the animal’s health.
- In males: The procedure is called castration and involves removing the testicles.
- In females: There are two techniques:
- Ovariohysterectomy: Removal of the ovaries and uterus (common practice in North America).
- Ovariectomy: Removal of only the ovaries (more common in Europe).
Why should you sterilize your cat?
Sterilization offers numerous benefits, including medical, behavioral, and preventive advantages.
Effectively combating feline overpopulation
In Quebec, feline overpopulation is a major issue, leading to high numbers of abandonments and euthanasias in shelters. Sterilization helps reduce the number of unwanted births, addressing this problem at its source.
Medical benefits of sterilization
Sterilization provides numerous health advantages for cats and helps prevent several serious diseases.
- In males:
- Reduces the risk of testicular tumors, as the testicles are removed.
- Treats prostatic tumors, although castration does not have a direct preventive effect.
- In females:
- Decreases the risk of mammary cancers:
- Sterilization before 6 months → 9% risk of mammary tumors.
- Sterilization between 6 and 12 months → 14% risk.
- Sterilization after 12 months → increased risk of 20 to 40%.
- 90% of mammary cancers in cats are malignant, highlighting the importance of early sterilization.
- Prevents serious uterine infections, such as pyometra, which can endanger the animal’s life.
- Reduces the risks of uterine diseases like mucometra, hydrometra, and hematometra.
- Decreases the risk of mammary cancers:
A solution to undesirable behaviors
Behaviors related to sexual hormones can make cohabitation difficult. Sterilization helps reduce or eliminate several troublesome behaviors:
- In males:
- Decreases urine marking, although castration does not always guarantee the cessation of the behavior if it is already established.
- Reduces roaming and fighting, as territorial instincts and the search for sexual partners are diminished.
- Decreases aggression, especially towards other cats.
- In females:
- Eliminates excessive meowing during heat, which can be disruptive day and night.
- Reduces stress and restless behavior that often accompany hormonal cycles.
At what age should you sterilize your cat?
Sterilization can be performed at any age but is generally recommended between 3 and 6 months.
This period allows for sterilization before sexual maturity, preventing undesirable behaviors and reproduction.
Early sterilization (2 to 4 months)
Some clinics and shelters perform sterilization as early as 2 months to control reproduction before adoption. This approach has advantages:
- Faster surgery and quicker recovery.
- Less bleeding and reduced post-operative risks.
However, it also carries specific risks:
- Risk of hypothermia, hypoglycemia, and hypotension, as kittens have a more fragile metabolism.
- Immaturity of the kidneys and liver, which may not fully metabolize anesthetics.
- Increased exposure to infections, especially if the animal is hospitalized before completing its vaccination protocol.
To minimize these risks, it is recommended to wait at least 10 days after the last vaccination before proceeding with the surgery.
Conclusion
Cat sterilization is an essential procedure to ensure their health and well-being while helping to reduce feline overpopulation. It offers numerous medical and behavioral benefits and prevents potentially fatal diseases.
If you would like to learn more or schedule your cat’s sterilization, please do not hesitate to contact our veterinary clinic.
