There are many discussions on this topic. From serious ones: they say, this is violence against the very nature of a pet, to playful ones – about male solidarity and the owner of the house, who will never allow it. And what do experts think about this? If we talk about the nature of a cat, then the wild ancestors of modern Murziks and Barsiks were indeed active and loving. No wonder there is an expression “yells like a March cat” – it is in the spring that these animals begin a period of active search.
It would be wrong to somehow romanticize this – the pet is driven only by a powerful instinct aimed at procreation. The “package of services” also includes a fight with relatives, because the strongest and healthiest male should leave the offspring. But how relevant is all this for a peaceful furry living at home?
Everyone has heard stories of how domestic cats run away during the mating season – and it’s good if through the door, and not through the window, risking their health. The results of such shoots are not very pleasant. First, a pet can be seriously injured in a fight with street cats. And life itself in the wild is full of dangers – dogs, cars, weather changes. Secondly, cats, especially street cats, can be carriers of infectious diseases, including incurable and fatal ones (viral leukemia of cats and viral immunodeficiency). The problem of offspring should not be written off either: every feline spree is homeless kittens, as a rule, doomed to a hard life on the street.
“And experts have also proven that cats do not get pleasure from mating, only short-term relief,” explains Anastasia Chechneva, veterinarian of the Kuntsevsky branch of the network of veterinary clinics “Svoy Doctor”.“But the sexuality of the animal is preserved not only in the spring, but throughout the year.”
If you strictly monitor a potential fugitive, he will still have hard times – at home, the animal will physically suffer from the inability to satisfy instincts. Complaining meows all night long, anxiety, aggression towards the owner are the most popular manifestations of such a conclusion. In addition, non-castrated cats have a habit of marking territory – from carpets and upholstered furniture to owners’ shoes. Anyone who has ever encountered this knows how difficult it is to remove the smell. Tablets, drops and other drugs that suppress the sex drive of animals have many side effects – from problems in the genitourinary sphere to the development of neoplasms of the reproductive system and mammary gland hyperplasia in cats.
As for castration, it makes life easier not only for the owners, but also for the pet itself, says veterinarian Anastasia Chechneva. The animal becomes calm, affectionate, ceases to mark the territory. In addition, castrated animals live longer, they have a significantly reduced risk of diseases such as inflammation of the prostate gland, “greasy tail” (characterized by increased secretion of sebaceous secretions, which further leads to bacterial skin infection), idiopathic cystitis (cystitis due to stress , due to the absence of the female during the hunting period of the cat).
The operation itself is now on stream and is considered uncomplicated. The optimal age for conducting is from 5 months to 1 year, that is, after the end of puberty. Before the operation, the veterinarian examines the animal and chooses an adequate and safest anesthesia. To reduce anesthetic risks, the doctor prescribes a set of examinations, which includes general clinical and biochemical blood tests, for some breeds of cats (Scottish Fold, British, Maine Coon, Persian), an X-ray examination of the airways and echocardiography of the heart are performed due to congenital pathologies of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The recovery period is fairly easy and fast.
“Weight gain and lethargy as a result of castration is a myth. All this is not the result of the operation itself, but of improper diet and lifestyle, ”explains veterinarian Anastasia Chechneva.
Yes, due to a decrease in the level of sex hormones, the animal really becomes calmer and tends to lead a less active lifestyle, and in combination with a good appetite, this can lead to obesity. But if you provide the cat with a balanced diet, play with him more often, provoke activity, then these problems can be easily avoided. You have to show your imagination for games, but everything is simple with the diet – popular brands like WHISKAS® have special lines for neutered cats and neutered cats. Such food includes all the necessary vitamins and is balanced in calories, which means that your furry will always be in great shape.