Purina Cat Chow: Cat Care Center: Physical: Spaying and Neutering

Physical. Emotional. Complete.® - That's the Purina® Cat Chow® Way of Life®

Subjects in this section include: the different stages of cat growth, feline dental care, spaying and neutering, vet visits, physical changes in aging cats, and more.

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Vet, naturalist, and passionate advocate for pet adoption Specialty: Physical

Topic: Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and Neutering Your Cat

When is the right time to have him neutered? The vet associated with the pet store says now (my kitten is 9 weeks old). A friend who is also a vet says age 6 months. What are the pros and cons of earlier vs. later?

Do female cats/kittens get bleeding periods if they are not spayed? If so, do I have to worry about blood getting all over the house?

Could you please give me some information on the pros of getting my cats spayed besides the obvious (no kittens, no roaming), such as the health benefits on feline infections and STDs?

Does a castrated cat require a special food diet?

We have a new male kitten about 2 months old. How soon can we get him neutered?

I have a 7-year-old Maine Coon who has been spayed, but since then she still went into heat, l took her back and they made sure they didn't miss anything the first time around. She still goes into heat. The last time she thought she was in heat was about 2 months ago. She hasn't stopped acting like she is in heat this time, and has also started spraying. My vet checked her out, and she isn't suffering from any sort of disease. Any ideas or suggestions?

What is the age of maturity for a male cat? My 5 month cat was mating my other cats at 4 months. Isn`t that early? They are both male. I thought that females matured around that time, not male cats. My vet wanted me to wait till he was 6 months old to get him neutered. I thought it was unusual and feel sorry for the other two.

We recently took our six-month old kitten to be spayed and she died on the operating table. The vet said she may have been allergic to the anesthetic. We had an autopsy done and there seemed to be no other problems. The vet also discussed cats and fear and mentioned a substance that their bodies release when they are afraid. Have you ever heard of such a chemical released in their bodies? I'm sorry I can't remember the name he gave me, I was terribly upset at the time.

Would you please tell me if this question is fact or myth? I had my male cat neutered at seven months. I have been told that he will not spray. I hope it is true for he is an indoor cat.

We have a spayed, 2 yr. old female. I've noticed that once a month for a couple days, she becomes aloof, retreats and dislikes being petted or touched. This may sound odd but some women need hormone replacement when they have had their womb and ovaries removed, could female cats be similar?

What is the oldest your cat can be and still be neutered?

I have a 6-1/2 month old male Siamese cat - he's had all his vaccinations. I recently took him to get neutered. He has undescended testicles and I was told that he would need exploratory surgery to find them. The day of his surgery, I received a phone call from the vet telling me they couldn't find the testicles and would have to operate on another day. My cat has a big scar on his belly and I can't bear to put him through this again. Have you heard of cases where the surgeon has closed up the cat without finding the testicles?

I have an 11-year-old cat that has been spayed. Is it possible for female cats that old to go through menopause like women do?

Our 8-month-old cat was neutered in December. He frequently tries to mate with his favorite stuffed monkey or bear. Is this usual?

When is it too late to have your cat spayed?

My male cat is neutered but he still sprays. Is there anything I can do to prevent this?

I just read a previous question about a cat who was a year old and was trying to "mate" with the owner. I also have a male cat who is 9-1/2 months old. He likes to "nurse." He will put his nose up to whatever is near and knead. He then will thrust his backside and ejaculate. And if my arm is near, he will try to bite (very gently) on my wrist and mount my arm. I just got him neutered 1 week ago. I thought this would stop, but he is still trying to "mate" with me and is still "marking his territory" (peeing on boxes, etc.) Shouldn't both of these behaviors have stopped once he was neutered?

What happens if I choose not to spay my female cat? She is never allowed outside and will not have an opportunity to mate. Will she experience any adverse conditions because of this?

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	Mentor Steffen Runquist shares her years of experience in this video series

Is your geriatric cat vocalizing much more frequently? She could be trying to tell you something. Increased vocalization, increased appetite, and increased activity (especially at night), can be signs of a treatable condition called hyperthyroidism. See your veterinarian for a geriatric blood panel for your senior family member.

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