People tend to believe certain things that they know or hear about spaying or neutering their kitty. These myths do more harm to good as it can result in kitty not being sterilized (another word for spaying and neutering) and this can result in unwanted and abandoned kittens, hurt tomcats and very demanding and agitated female cats. Here are some of the myths explained and debunked!
Myths Associated with Spaying and Neutering of a Cat
Myth 1 -All spay or neutered cats gain weight
This is not necessarily true and can be controlled. Spayed female cats and neutered male cats may experience a lowering of their metabolism and if they are continued to be fed as they were prior to surgery then they would gain weight. For male cats, it may because they do not roam as before surgery and for female cats, it’s because her metabolic rate is lower that it was before. It’s best that you monitor your kitty’s weight and eating habits and adjust as necessary. They can also be exercised to increase their activity.
Myth 2 – Spayed or neutered cats will not hunt anymore
This is not true. The only aspect of a cat’s natural instinct that will change is the cat’s behavior during the mating season. The disruptive behavior such as yowling (male and female cats), roaming (male cats) or roaming (male cats) will not occur. Other aspects of their natural instincts will remain and this includes their hunting skills.
Myth 3 – A spayed female wont “be a female”
Meaning that a spayed female cat won’t be a female because she will be unable to make kittens. This is not the case and is attributing human perception onto the cat. It is actually a good idea to spay because this will increase the chances of your kitty living a long and healthy life.
Myth 4 – A neutered male wont “be a male”
Meaning that a neutered male cat won’t be a male because he will be unable to produce sperm. Again, this is not the case and again, is attributing human perception onto the cat. It is actually a good idea to neuter because this will increase the chances of your kitty living a long and healthy life.
Myth 5 – A cat should experience sex first
Again, this is a human’s response and it is understandable that we as humans will feel that way. However, for a cat it is better that this is not the case as behavioral problems will become established and may linger after she has been spayed. Also, this may result in a kittens being born and as such you would need to ask yourself a question – can you guarantee a safe home for ALL of the kittens that would result from that litter?
Myth 6 – A female cat should have a litter first
Not much can be said about this except for the one question that keeps coming up -
Can you guarantee a safe and happy home for ALL of the kittens that would result from that litter?
Myth 7 – I can find homes for any of my cat’s kittens
Yes, you may find homes for this batch of kittens but think about it….what about kittens from those kittens and then kittens from those kittens. Can you be okay with not knowing how they were treated?
Myth 8 – Kitty should be in heat before she can be spayed
This is actually not the best. The preferable action would be to spay your kitty before she experiences her first heat as it will reduce the risk of certain serious health problems from occurring later on in her life.
Myth 9 – The spaying or neutering surgery is too costly
Really, only you can determine whether or not this surgery can be costly, as depending on your financial standing this may be true. However, there are alternatives to look out for, such as low cost clinics that you can check out in your particular country.
In America, there is a regional group called Cats with No Name that provide low cost spaying or the Humane Society can be contacted. In Australia, you can check with the National Desexing Network and other countries will have their own groups that can offer low-cost spaying or maybe even free spaying or neutering.
If these options are not available, then only you can weigh the cost of spaying against the healthy long life for your kitty if he/she is spayed. Or, the fact that knowing any litter they contribute in producing means a reduced chance of adoption for kitties abandoned in a shelter.
Myth 10 – She/he won’t be themselves anymore
Many people think that their kitties will go through a significant personality change and this is just not the case. Male and female cats tend to have the same personalities as they did prior to the surgery. The only aspect that will change will be their disruptive behavior that they display when mating season comes around or when they “go into heat”. Check out What are the effects of spaying or neutering of a cat?
Myth 11 – Males do not need to be neutered as they don’t make the litters
One of the profound and untruthful myths that circulate is that male cats do not need to be neutered. Female cats tend to be the first gender to consider sterilizing, because they actually produce the litter. However, even though male cats do not physically produce the litter, they do have a significant role in the making of little kitties. A male cat can impregnate quite a number of unsprayed female cats as they tend to roam during mating season. Also, because they are not neutered, they will roam looking for females and during this time, they can get into fights with other cats. Also, he can damage himself or get hurt while wandering away from home.
Myth 12 – Preventing kitty from making a litter is not natural
It may feel wrong to spay or neuter your kitty, and that is understandable. However, humans already domesticated cats, even though they were born wild, and there can be a debate with whether any domestication of wild animals is natural. However, is it natural that your female cat or male cat not being spayed or neutered contribute to the birth of kittens and that these kittens may or may not be in good, loving and safe homes?
Myth 13 – Vets just want the extra money
Yes, vets do earn money by spaying or neutering your cat. But what about those that devote their time because they know that what they are doing is for the best for the cat and the others that do not have a safe and loving home? Vets perform a service by performing the surgery, but this service is for the benefit of your cat and it is your choice whether or not she/he should be spayed or neutered, because the benefits outweigh the cost.
It’s great to have all the myths about spaying on one page. I have always thought that spaying made cats gain weight. It’s good to know that it can be controlled.