Considering Having Your Cat Spayed? Don't Fall For These Big Myths

Kittens may be adorable little balls of fluff, but if you are like most cat owners, the last thing you want is a couple of litters of these little critters to find homes for every year. Having your cat spayed is one of the most logical choices you can make as a female feline parent. However, there are major myths that often prevent people from even considering having this basic procedure performed. If you are trying to decide whether you should have your female cat spayed, it is best to get these big myths out of the way so you can make the most educated decision. 

Myth: Having your cat spayed means she will have to endure a long recovery time. 

Fact: The spaying procedure is not as complex as most pet owners assume it will be. The process involves making a small incision in your cat's abdomen and removes both the ovaries and the uterus, which sounds horrible. While this is considered major surgery, cats usually bounce back quickly and start to heal fast. In fact, most cats are back on their feet and acting mostly normal by the time they leave the veterinarian. 

Myth: If you keep your cat indoors, there is no reason to have her spayed. 

Fact: This is probably the biggest reason cat owners never have their female kitty spayed. However, just because you keep your cat indoors, it does not mean she will not find a way to get pregnant. A female cat in estrous (often referred to as in heat) can be one of the most persistent animals you ever encounter. She will mew loudly, repeatedly to draw male cats to her. She will stay up all hours in wait for a chance to slip out of the door or through an opened window. Therefore, you may have intentions to keep your ready-to-breed cat inside, but she will do everything she can to fail your intentions. 

Myth: You can't have a cat spayed if she has kittens now. 

Fact: If you have allowed the undesirable to happen and your cat has given birth to a litter of kittens, you may assume that you cannot have her spayed until the babies are weaned. However, this is not the case. You can actually have a cat spayed while she is still lactating because it will not change her milk production, and this is actually a good idea. Cats often start looking for a new mate as soon as her kittens are weaned. So by having her spayed beforehand, you will eliminate the risk of her being impregnated again before you can get to the vet.

Talk to your vet, someone from a place like Northwest Animal Hospital, for more information. 


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