Spaying or Neutering Your Kitten: What to Expect and Why It's Important

Bringing home a new adopted kitten is an exciting time filled with cuddles, playtime, and lots of learning about their needs. One crucial decision every cat owner faces is whether to spay or neuter their pet. While it may seem like a routine procedure, it comes with a wide range of health, behavioral, and societal benefits. Keep reading as experts at CatKing Cattery walk you through the importance of neutering or spaying your kitten, what to expect before and after the procedure, and how it can lead to a happier, healthier life for your feline friend.

Why Spaying or Neutering is Important

Neutering or spaying your kitten is a decision that offers long-term benefits to your cat’s health, behaviour, and the community.

Health Benefits

Spaying and neutering reduce the risk of certain cancers and other health problems in cats: For females, spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers and significantly reduces the chance of mammary (breast) cancer. Cats spayed before their first heat cycle have a much lower risk of developing these cancers. For males, neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and reduces the chance of developing prostate problems later in life. Additionally, spaying helps prevent infections in the uterus (pyometra), which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Behavioural Benefits

Neutered and spayed cats tend to be calmer and less aggressive than their unneutered counterparts:

Male cats that are neutered are less likely to roam, spray urine to mark their territory or get into fights with other animals.

Female cats that are spayed no longer go into heat, which means they avoid the vocalization, restlessness, and attempts to escape that are typical during a heat cycle. Spaying eliminates the hormonal changes that can cause erratic behaviour.

Population Control

Millions of cats end up in shelters each year, and many are euthanized due to overcrowding. By sterilizing your pet, you’re helping reduce the number of unwanted kittens and contributing to the overall well-being of the feline population.

The Procedure: What to Expect

Beforespay or neuter surgery, your veterinarian will conduct a physical examination to ensure your kitten is healthy enough for anesthesia and surgery. Your kittens will need to fast and the veterinarian may also recommend blood tests to check for underlying health conditions that could affect the surgery. Once the surgery is complete, your kitten will need a little extra care at home as they recover. Here’s what you can expect during the healing process:

Grogginess: After anesthesia, your kitten may be groggy or sleepy for the first day or two.

Incision care: Monitor the surgical site for any signs of swelling, redness, or discharge. Your veterinarian may provide an Elizabethan collar (cone) to prevent your kitten from licking or biting the stitches.

Restricted activity: While kittens may be eager to play, it’s important to limit their activity for the first few days to prevent stress on the incision. Most kittens recover quickly, and within a week or two, they’re back to their usual active selves. Be sure to attend any follow-up appointments to ensure your kitten is healing properly

Looking To Bring Home A Healthy, Well-Bred Kitten?

At CatKing Cattery, we prioritize the health and well-being of all our kittens. While spaying and neutering are mandatory, we offer flexible options to suit your needs. For those who prefer convenience, we recommend our $499 Neuter/Spay & Recovery package, where we handle the procedure before adoption. If you prefer to spay or neuter your kitten at your vet after rehoming, we require a $1000 deposit, fully refundable upon providing proof of the procedure and a video of your kitten post-surgery. Contact us today at 647-994-3210 to learn more and find your perfect feline companion!