Bringing a cat into your home is a rewarding experience, but responsible pet ownership involves more than just providing food and shelter. One of the most crucial steps in ensuring your cat’s health and well-being is spaying or neutering. While many people associate these procedures with preventing unwanted litters of kittens, they can also offer significant health and behavioural benefits. Early age neutering, ideally around four months of age, is a safe and effective way to give your cat the best start in life. Paying for this procedure may not be easily accessible, so MEOW offers a Spay and Neuter Assistance Program to help Calgarians in need take the best care of their cats as possible.
Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
Unspayed female cats are at risk of developing pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus. They are also more likely to suffer from mammary tumours, which are often malignant. Additionally, pregnancy and birth carry their own risks, especially for young or malnourished cats. Females with infectious diseases can pass them on to their kittens, further endangering their health.
For unneutered male cats, the risks are different but equally serious. Males are more prone to fight-related injuries, which can lead to abscesses and the spread of diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV). Since these diseases can be transmitted through bites, reducing aggressive behaviour through neutering helps lower infection rates. Unneutered males also tend to roam in search of a mate, increasing their chances of being injured or killed by vehicles.
Behavioural Improvements
Bringing a cat into your home is a rewarding experience, but responsible pet ownership involves more than just providing food and shelter. One of the most crucial steps in ensuring your cat’s health and well-being is spaying or neutering. While many people associate these procedures with preventing unwanted litters of kittens, they can also offer significant health and behavioural benefits.
While neutering doesn’t change a cat’s personality, it does reduce aggression and territorial tendencies, making them easier to integrate into multi-cat households.
Preventing Overpopulation
One of the most significant reasons to spay or neuter your cat is to prevent cat overpopulation. Shelters and rescue organizations are overwhelmed with cats and kittens in need of homes. Female cats can have their first heat cycle as early as four months old and can produce multiple litters per year, contributing to the already high number of stray and abandoned cats. Male cats, even if they don’t have a home themselves, can father dozens of litters in a single mating season.
Unplanned litters often result in kittens that may not receive proper care, leaving them vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and environmental dangers. By spaying and neutering, we can reduce the number of homeless cats and ease the strain on animal welfare organizations.
What to Expect from the Procedure
Neutering is a common and safe surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. For female cats, spaying involves the removal of the ovaries and the uterus. A small incision is made, usually on the belly, and stitches are placed to aid healing. Most cats recover quickly and are back to normal within a day or two.
For male cats, castration involves the removal of the testes through a small incision in the scrotum. The procedure is even quicker than spaying, and since the incisions are tiny, stitches are rarely needed. Recovery is typically swift, with most cats resuming normal activity the next day.
While spayed and neutered cats may be more prone to weight gain due to a decrease in hormone-driven activity, this can be managed with proper diet and exercise. If you have concerns, your veterinarian can guide you in maintaining your cat’s ideal weight.
Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP)
Spaying or neutering your cat is essential, but we understand that the cost can be a barrier for some pet owners. That’s why MEOW Foundation offers the Spay Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) to help Calgarians in need afford these important procedures.
To qualify for SNAP, you must be at least 18 years old and the legal owner of the cat. Our partner veterinary clinics are in high demand, so applicants should be prepared for potential wait times and travel distances to access services. Here’s how the process works:
- Apply Online – We only accept applications through our website.
- Review Process – Our SNAP Coordinator will assess your application. Processing typically takes 7-10 business days, but delays can occur.
- Clinic Assignment – If approved, we’ll match you with one of our partner clinics and provide details on cost and location. You’ll need to book your own appointment.
- Surgery Day – Take your cat to the clinic for the procedure. As part of the service, your cat will also receive permanent identification, such as a microchip or tattoo.
The Bottom Line
Spaying and neutering are key components of responsible cat ownership. These procedures not only improve your cat’s health and behaviour but also help control the pet population and reduce the number of cats in shelters. If cost is a concern, programs like SNAP exist to make spaying and neutering accessible to those in need.
By taking this important step, you’re ensuring a healthier, safer future for your cat and contributing to the welfare of cats in your community. If you need assistance or more information, reach out to MEOW Foundation to learn how you can get involved in supporting feline welfare initiatives.