caring for your house cat

If you have a new kitten, then you should set up an appointment with the veterinarian to take it in for a health exam. During the exam, the veterinarian will make sure the kitten is healthy, give them their first set of vaccinations, and ask to set you up with an appointment to spay or neuter them. If you are unclear about the many benefits of fixing your kitten, you'll want to read the information contained in this article.

Population control

The biggest reason for fixing your kitten is to stop them from ever reproducing. The animal shelters are overcrowded with animals that can't find homes and everyday cats are euthanized in the shelters to make room for more. Even if you plan on keeping your cat indoors, there is always the chance they may get out and end up adding to that already massive population.

Health

Having your cat fixed will also help to decrease their chances of getting cancer. Some of the types of cancer the procedure helps prevent include ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer and mammary cancer. Pyometra is a uterine infection that can also be prevented by fixing your female cat. Even though most cats go through labor and delivery without incidence, there is always the chance of a life threatening complication and fixing them will prevent this.

Spraying

Cats spray to mark their territory and an unfixed one will feel the need to do so more. Male cats are known for spraying, but females can also spray. Although they can still do it when they are fixed, the chances are good that they won't. You can also decrease the chances of your cat spraying by having them fixed when they are young.

Wandering

When female cats are in season (the period when they can get pregnant) they will get the urge to wander around the neighborhood looking for a mate. Male cats will pick up on the scent of females in season and wander off away from home to find them. This puts them at risk of getting lost or injured while they are away from home.

The information above should give you a better idea of why it's such a good thing to have your kitten fixed. The procedure will be done in the veterinarian's office and your cat will experience a fast recovery. Fixing them is the responsible thing for you to do.

For a local veterinarian, contact a facility such as Abri Animal Hospital.