Everything about the neutering of your cat
If you have welcomed a furry friend into your family, you will eventually come to the question of when your cat should be neutered. In addition to the right timing, there are also other aspects such as costs and a possible obligation to neuter. We provide you with helpful tips regarding the neutering of cats and tomcats.
Why neutering is so important for cats
The →heat cycle in cats is different from the →heat cycle in dogs. Cats do not simply go into heat twice a year, but remain in heat until they encounter a tomcat and mate. The ovulation, that is, the fertile phase in the cycle, is only triggered by mating. If your cat lives outdoors, there is a very high chance that she will have (unwanted) offspring multiple times in her life if no neutering is performed.
If this does not happen, as is the case with indoor cats, a kind of continuous heat occurs - and it is obvious that this is not only physically but also psychologically very stressful for your cat. Not infrequently, the process repeats every 3 weeks, and if you are sure that your cat should not have offspring, then neutering is advantageous to spare both your four-legged friend and yourself the regular emotional stress.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Rollige Katzen machen sich durch lautes Miauen bemerkbar, sind mehr verschmust als sonst und fordern sich stark die Aufmerksamkeit ihrer Zweibeiner ein.
In short, this means for outdoor cats that without neutering, many new cats will be born, all of which need to be cared for. Since animal shelters are full of homeless cats, timely neutering is important. For indoor cats that are not intended for breeding, neutering can prevent constant heat cycles. In some federal states like Bavaria or Hesse, there is already an obligation to neuter cats.
When can a cat be neutered?
The best time and the right age to neuter a cat depends on several factors. There is a divide of opinions between neutering at the beginning of sexual maturity and earlier intervention. Cats reach sexual maturity at 5 to 6 months, while tomcats do so only around the 6th month. Since the transitions are fluid and cannot be predicted exactly when it will happen, owners of free-roaming cats are particularly obliged to act in a timely manner.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Katzen können vor oder zu Beginn der Geschlechtsreife kastriert werden. Je nachdem, ob deine Katze ein Stubentiger oder Freigänger ist, empfehlen sich verschiedene Zeitpunkte.
The advantages of early neutering before sexual maturity particularly benefit outdoor cats, as unwanted offspring are avoided. Early neutering is also suspected of reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, such as mammary tumors.
Disadvantages of early neutering exist in the development of cats, which differs from that of unspayed four-legged friends. They "remain" at their developmental stage, tend to have duller fur and a higher final size. Due to the stagnant development, early neutered cats are prone to urinary stones. In terms of character, the furry friends remain affectionate and cuddly, as they do not reach the level of sexual maturity in terms of character either.
If your cat lives indoors and you decide on neutering, you can look for early signs of sexual maturity. These include signs of heat in cats such as loud meowing, strong cuddling, and rubbing against legs and objects. Tomcats begin to mark the entire apartment, and the strongly smelling urine is usually noticed immediately. In terms of behavior, tomcats and cats show increased aggression and sensitive behavior during this time.
Should I neuter or sterilize my cat?
Neutering vs. sterilization, or in other words: infertility through the removal of ovaries or testicles or just "merely" tying off the sperm or fallopian tubes? It is important to know that both procedures require general anesthesia. While cats are not capable of reproduction after sterilization, the hormones are still present and signs of heat continue to appear. Tomcats mark their territory even after sterilization.
In general, veterinarians recommend neutering, as this additionally reduces the risk of cancer in the mammary glands and other hormone-related diseases such as uterine infections. Neutered cats have a lower energy requirement, which is why the amount of food should be adjusted in any case, →to maintain a healthy weight.
A healthy complete feed for cats provides your beloved pet with everything it needs for an active everyday life. Fresh meat, vitamin-rich vegetables, and a pinch of herbs make our Pets Deli food for cats a true feast! We also have the perfect nutritional solution specifically for sterilized cats: Our →food for sterilized cats is optimally tailored to their changed needs. A little gourmet? Our various consistencies cater to every taste!
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What does neutering cost for cats?
The fee schedule for veterinarians specifies what costs you can expect for certain procedures. Neutering costs approximately 19€ for tomcats and about 58€ for female cats. Additional costs for anesthesia, medications, and possibly other expenses apply. This results in a total of about 80€ for tomcats and about 130€ for female cats.
