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The hordes of homeless and
feral cats everywhere are growing by leaps and bounds, and
finally people are beginning to wake up to the necessity
of neutering their cats.
Population Explosion
Because cats can reproduce
several times a year, and kittens mature quickly, just 2
feral cats (the wild offspring of domestic cats) can
quickly become 2,000. In fact, the feline reproduction
statistics are staggering. 2 uncontrolled breeding cats
produce: 2 litters a year, at a survival rate of 2.8
kittens per litter. Continued breeding will produce 12
cats the first year, 66 cats the second year, 2,201 cats
in the third year, 3,822 cats in the fourth year, 12,680
cats in the fifth year, and on and on . . .
Unaltered Cats Spread
Disease
Many of these feral cats
are actually unaltered pet cats (or their offspring) that
were released by owners who could no longer care for them.
A colony of feral cats can spread diseases among pet cats
and dogs in the area.
Even when these cats are
fairly healthy, they are usually infested with fleas.
Hungry cats will raid trash cans, and playful kittens will
destroy shrubbery and soil lawn furniture.
Noise Pollution From Cats
In Heat
When female cats are in
heat, the colony can keep neighbors awake all night with
their fighting and howling
Spaying and neutering cats
provides several important benefits in addition to
reducing the number of unwanted cats. If you have an
un-neutered female cat at home, the sound of her mewling
pitifully at the door will soon be joined by the yowling
and shrieking of every tomcat in the neighborhood.Both
indoor and outdoor tomcats will try to mark everything in
sight with their odorous spray.
Reproductive Cancers In
Unaltered Cats
Certain types of cancer are
much more common in unaltered cats. These cancers of the
reproductive organs are very rare in cats that are altered
prior to 1 year of age. Unaltered cats can also develop a
number of reproductive diseases that are contagious.
Help Make Every Cat A
Wanted Cat
Kittens can be altered at
quite a young age. Some humane societies routinely alter
kittens at 8 weeks. While some veterinarians feel that it
is better to wait until kittens are 5 or 6 months, that is
often simply not a option. Certainly for feral kittens who
are trapped for altering, then released back into their
colonies, or for those who share a home with other
unaltered cats, neutering at the earliest opportunity is
critical.
Most cats heal well and
without incident after being neutered. However, a cat can
contract an infection in the incision. Check your cat
daily to be sure the incision area has not turned red and
puffy. If you notice your cat licking or chewing at the
stitches, your vet may suggest a surgery collar to keep
the stitches out of reach until the incision is healed.
While male cats can be active and bouncy without injuring
themselves after neutering, female cats should be confined
indoors for a few days after the surgery.
Feline "Zero
Population Growth"
Unless you're a cat
breeder, your cat almost certainly would be better off
neutered. The typical cost of neutering a cat is about
$125 for a female and $65 for a male. If the cost is too
much for you to afford, many communities have special
funds available for neutering cats. Your humane society or
veterinarian can give you more information.
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About
The Author
Visit
New
Cat to learn more. Ron King is a
full-time researcher, writer, and web
developer with a website at Website.
Copyright
2005 Ron King. This article may be
reprinted if the resource box is left
intact. |
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