There are many people who are considering castration surgery for cats.
Neutering has the potential to reduce marking behavior and soften temperament.
However, there are some points to be aware of.
In this article, we will tell you about the changes that occur in cats after castration and precautions after surgery.
If you are an owner thinking about neutering your cat, please read on.
What changes occur in cats after neutering?
In general, neutering tends to make cats calmer, less aggressive, and easier to keep.
This is because removing a male cat's testicles reduces the amount of male hormones released from them.
The absence of male hormones may reduce aggression and suppress problem behavior.
However, there are also some children who have their own personality and are strong-willed even after the castration surgery.
Marking behaviors such as peeing in various places and spraying are also often reduced.
Weight gain is one of the most common changes that occur after castration.
This is because the energy related to sexuality that has been used up until now is no longer needed, so there will be a surplus of calories for that amount.
If you give the same amount of food as before surgery, you will easily gain weight, so it is necessary to reduce the amount or eat a weight loss diet.
It is also a good idea to use toys, cat towers, catwalks, etc. to give them moderate exercise.
When should cats be neutered?
Cat neutering surgery can be performed from about the second half of life when the growth of the body is stopped.
However, if the growth of the body is slow, the time may be delayed.
In addition, female cats should be spayed as early as possible from the viewpoint of disease prevention, but in the case of male cats, early surgery does not have much of a preventive effect.
Therefore, there is no need to rush into surgery.
That said, if you want to castrate your dog, it's a good idea to do it while it's still small, as it may develop a habit of marking.
Advantages and disadvantages of castration surgery
Cat neutering has its pros and cons.
I will explain them separately below.
Advantages of castration surgery
The advantages of surgical castration include:- have a mild temperament
- Reduces problem behaviors such as marking
- eliminate unwanted pregnancies
- relieve stress
- Reduced risk of reproductive disorders
have a mild temperament
As mentioned above, male hormones are not released, so the personality tends to be mild.
As a result, they tend to have a more mature personality and are easier to keep.
In particular, in the case of multiple pets, territorial disputes are reduced, so fights and unforeseen accidents can be prevented.
Reduces problem behaviors such as marking
There is a tendency to reduce problem behavior such as rough appearance and excessive vocalization during estrus.
Many owners are worried about excreting in places other than the toilet.
Try to think about surgery before you get into the habit of marking as much as possible.
In addition, the possibility of escaping in search of an outside (estrus) cat will be reduced, and you will be able to spend your time with peace of mind.
eliminate unwanted pregnancies
It may not matter if you keep a single animal completely indoors.
However, if a cat goes outside or escapes, it will easily reproduce.
Cats have a 100% chance of getting pregnant through mating, and when they get pregnant, they give birth to 4 or 5 kittens at a time.
It is difficult to raise everything, and it is not always possible to get a hand, so try to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
relieve stress
If you are not neutered, you are always thinking about the female cat, so not being able to mate can be very stressful.
Even the slightest external pheromones can cause irritability and anxiety.
Castration often relieves such stress.
Reduced risk of reproductive disorders
This is a late-life problem and reduces the incidence of reproductive diseases such as testicular cancer. However, it is necessary to be careful because it is possible to become ill without relying on hormones.Disadvantages of castration surgery
It can be said that there are almost no disadvantages due to castration surgery, but if there is only one, it may be the risk of anesthesia.
There is no 100% safe anesthesia, so you may not wake up from anesthesia.
However, castration surgery requires relatively short anesthesia time, and preoperative examinations are also performed, so it can be said that such a situation almost never occurs.
If in doubt, check with your primary care physician.
In addition, it may become easy to gain weight after castration, so be careful to manage your weight.
Precautions after castration surgery
There are a few things to keep in mind after having castration surgery.
The first thing to do is to wear an Elizabethan collar so as not to lick the wound.
Cat neutering doesn't require stitches, so licking can cause infection.
Therefore, you will wear an Elizabethan collar for a few days.
The number of days of wearing depends on the veterinary hospital.
Wearing an Elizabethan collar may change your behavior, such as not going to the bathroom or moving.
If it is within the reach of the owner's eyes, it is okay to take it off at the right time.
The Elizabeth collar is cute and easy to clean even if it gets dirty.
It is recommended because the neck part can be adjusted according to the cat ♪
You will also experience some pain on the day of surgery and the day after.
Castration surgery can often be done on the same day, so rest at home after surgery and let it rest early.
You may fall asleep without eating or you may vomit, so be sure to check with your doctor beforehand if you have any questions.
[Summary] Commentary on changes that occur in cats after castration and precautions after surgery
Cats are often neutered to reduce their marking behavior and become more calm.
Having a gentle personality is very important when spending time together.
If you're considering castration surgery, it's best to do it at about the age of the first half of life.
You may gain weight easily after surgery, so check your cat's body shape on a daily basis, and if it is overweight, reduce the amount of food it eats or adopt a weight loss diet.