Perhaps, nothing causes such fierce disputes among animal lovers as castration of cats and dogs, living with a person as a companion and having no value in terms of breeding certain breeds. The irreconcilable supporters and opponents of the operation give a lot of evidence of their own point of view. Which of them is right? Let's get it right. Consider the topic in relation to cats, although most of the arguments of the parties can be attributed to any kind of pet.
Castration is an operation to deprive a cat of reproductive function by removing the uterus and ovaries. At the same time, she ceases to not only become pregnant and give birth, but also to worry, to look for ways to escape from home during estrus, to meet a cat.
Castration of cats: psychological moments
Some people perceive their cat as equal in legal and psychological terms, and for them it is wild to deprive the animal of the ability to breed. In their opinion, such an action will give rise to an inferiority complex in the pet, and among his brothers he will feel flawed. The cat never knows the happiness of motherhood, which will deprive her of the meaning of life and lead to depression.
Specialists (veterinarians, zoopsychologists) debunk this myth: animals have no psychological need to continue the genus - only physiological. A hunting cat experiences constant torment until it finds a partner and fertilization takes place. After this comes peace. About any pleasant sensations are not talking.
As for the cat, he is constantly under tension. Feeling the smell of a cat, he can leave home and go on dangerous trips along the city streets, where he is in wait for busy tracks and feral dogs. Cruelty of people is also not excluded. And all in order to conceive kittens, which he will never even see, will not raise and pass on his knowledge and inheritance to them. The cat does not want to be a father. His nature is completely different.
The cat touchingly takes care of its babies, it feels like she is in joy. In fact, this is nothing more than instinct. Having taught kittens the basics of self-care, most mothers lose interest in them and cease to regard them as theirs - hiss, drive away from a bowl of food, etc. So the barren cat does not suffer at all, in her life there are always many interesting things. And communication, tenderness and love are enough from the owners.
Castration cats: health
Many opponents of castration are of the opinion that any interference with the body is harmful. In addition, the operation itself also poses a danger: improper anesthesia, infection of the suture, unprofessional surgeon ... you never know what else can expect a four-legged patient. However, complications from the procedure are much rarer than diseases of the genital area in uncastrated cats and cats.
The main danger is the pyometra - inflammation of the uterus, often leading to serious consequences and even to the death of a cat. Viruses transmitted by contact of animals are also common, some of which are treated for a long and difficult time.
The health problems that castration of cats helps to avoid include injuries sustained by cats when traveling. In operated animals, there is no craving for vagrancy.
Castration of a cat is carried out according to a proven scheme, doctors usually have a lot of practice in conducting such manipulations. A thorough selection of the clinic will help reduce all risks to naught.
When to castrate a kitten
To prevent a cat’s bad habit of marking corners in an apartment, it must be neutered before puberty begins. For different breeds, this period is different, but on average it is better to meet the age of 7 months. Castration of 8-16 week old kittens is considered early, as a rule, it is carried out by the breeder in relation to animals that are not suitable for breeding.
The cat is neutered to the first estrus, which can begin at 6 months. If you are late with this - wait for the end of the hunt, and carry out the operation. Adult animals, from which they no longer want to receive kittens, can be taken to the clinic 2 months after birth.