Understanding Neutering: Why Cats Need Sterilization

What is a Neutering Surgery?

Neutering surgery is a routine surgical procedure performed on animals to remove their reproductive organs. The primary goal of this surgery is to render the individual sterile, which is typically achieved by eliminating the production of hormones. This reduction in hormone levels often leads to a decrease or elimination of behaviors triggered by sexual hormones, such as sexual冲动, aggressive behavior, and urine marking.

In the case of neutering a male cat, the veterinarian makes a small incision on the side of the scrotum, through which the testicles and a portion of the vas deferens are extracted and removed. This procedure is relatively quick and the recovery is fast, with kittens often returning to normal activities by the second day postsurgery. For female cats, the surgery usually involves a lateral or abdominal incision to remove the uterus and both ovaries. Due to the need for abdominal incision and layerbylayer suturing, this procedure takes longer and the recovery period typically lasts 23 days.

Why Do Cats Need to Undergo Neutering Surgery?

1. Controlling the Population of Stray Cats: In mainland China, where the legal and regulatory framework is not yet fully established, an effective and scientific system for the containment and adoption of stray animals has not been fully implemented. Additionally, factors such as societal awareness, superstitions, and misconceptions contribute to the abandonment of pets. The high adaptability and strong reproductive capabilities of stray cats have led to an increasing population, which in turn causes issues such as public security concerns, disease transmission, and impacts on human health and safety, as well as the survival of wildlife, particularly small birds and mammals. Neutering is one of the effective nonviolent methods to maintain a balance between humans and stray cats. On a broader scale, neutering stray cats can also reduce the number of cats that need to be euthanized, decrease humancat conflicts, improve the welfare of both species, and save on social costs.

2. Reducing the Risk of Reproductive System Diseases: Neutering surgery removes the reproductive organs of both male and female cats, eliminating the possibility of female cats developing ovarian cancer, uterine tumors, and pyometra, and male cats can avoid testicular cancer and other reproductive diseases. The risk of ovarian and prostate tumors can also be significantly reduced. Moreover, as neutering reduces the periodic sexual冲动 and sexual behavior triggered by hormones, it effectively prevents the transmission of diseases that can be spread through sexual contact, such as feline leukemia and feline AIDS.

3. Decreasing Behavioral Issues Like Yowling, Urine Marking, and Territorial Aggression: Sexual hormones can trigger behaviors such as yowling, urine marking, and territorial aggression in cats. Neutering surgery can be highly effective in correcting these behaviors. Studies have shown that neutered male cats exhibit a nearly 90% reduction in urine marking behavior.

4. Reducing Conflicts and Aggressive Behavior Between Cats, and Increasing Interaction: Territorial aggression refers to the aggressive behavior cats display when protecting their resources, such as food, offspring, territory, mates, or toys, and this behavior is influenced by sexual hormones. In one early study, within two weeks of neutering, 53% of male cats showed a significant reduction in fighting behavior, and after six months, 88% of the cats had a marked decrease in aggressive interactions.

For more information on cat neutering surgery, click here to learn more about cat and dog neutering knowledge.