When you bring a cat into your life, you want her to be as healthy and happy as possible for as long as possible. One of the most important health decisions you can make for your female cat is choosing to spay her.
While you’re probably already aware that spaying is the best way to prevent unwanted litters and reduce the number of unhomed cats on streets and in shelters, you may not know how much the procedure contributes to your cat’s quality of life. Spaying significantly reduces cats’ risk of serious diseases, particularly reproductive cancers.
Spayed cats live an average of 39% longer than their intact counterparts. This very safe, low-cost procedure doesn’t just give you peace of mind as a responsible pet parent; it can add years to your cat’s life and prevent painful, costly health problems.
Understanding Reproductive Cancers in CatsLike humans, cats can develop cancers that affect their reproductive organs. The most significant include:
Because these cancers are often aggressive and difficult to treat successfully, prevention is by far the best protection.
The connection between spaying and reduced cancer risk primarily stems from the impact of hormones. Estrogen and progesterone, which are produced by the ovaries, drive the growth of reproductive tissues. Unfortunately, they can also fuel the growth of cancerous cells.
When a cat is spayed, her ovaries and uterus are surgically removed. Without these hormone-producing organs, the risk of developing mammary, ovarian, or uterine cancers is dramatically reduced. The earlier the spay is performed, the greater the protection it provides.
Mammary tumors are the third most common cancer in cats, and because they are malignant most of the time, survival rates are low once diagnosed.
Each heat cycle that passes before spaying increases a cat’s overall exposure to hormones and raises their risk of developing mammary cancer later in life. For this reason, cats spayed before their first heat cycle gain the strongest defense against mammary tumors. While it’s still very beneficial to spay an older cat, performing the procedure before her first heat reduces her risk of developing mammary cancer by up to 91%
Cancer risk reduction isn’t the only reason why spayed cats typically live longer. Without intact reproductive organs, the possibility of other painful health problems like ovarian cysts, hormonal imbalances, and uterine infections is completely eliminated.
Spaying also prevents the laundry list of health complications that can arise from carrying and birthing kittens. In a world of overcrowded shelters and ecological destruction caused by feral cat colonies, taking steps to avoid adding unwanted kittens to the population is good for both your cat and your community.
Beyond disease prevention, spaying can also make day-to-day life more comfortable for your cat.
The stress of heat cycles can cause female cats to yowl incessantly, pace, and spray urine. Spayed cats tend to be more relaxed and content, making them easier to integrate into multi-pet households and better able to adapt to changes within your home.
With no heat cycles, cats have less desire to roam. This means they are less likely to escape your home and risk being injured in fights, hit by cars, or exposed to diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Veterinarians typically recommend spaying cats around five to six months of age, though in some cases it can be done earlier.
While spaying before the first heat is optimal, adult and senior cats may still benefit from the procedure. If your cat is older and still intact, it’s never too late to talk to your veterinarian. Though the protective effect against mammary cancer lessens over time, removing the uterus and ovaries at any age will prevent pyometra and other painful reproductive diseases.
Despite its many benefits, misinformation about spaying persists. Get the facts about common concerns:
Spaying usually requires only a short recovery period. Most cats are back to their usual selves within a week or two. Help your cat heal quickly by:
If you notice any concerning changes, such as lethargy, vomiting, or incision issues, contact your veterinarian right away.
Spaying is more than a way to prevent unwanted kittens. It’s a proactive step that protects your cat from painful, life-threatening diseases, reduces cancer risk, and improves her quality of life. By choosing to spay, you’re giving your cat the best chance at a long, healthy, and happy life.
Whether you have a newly-adopted kitten or an adult cat with several litters behind her, reach out to your vet for advice on how spaying can manage health risks and help your cat feel her best.
At Falls Village Veterinary Hospital, a Raleigh, NC veterinarian, dogs, cats & their families deserve the best. In fact, we specialize in delivering warm, compassionate care that reminds our clients and patients how unique and important they truly are. We provide complete veterinary care including dentistry, laser therapy, surgery, and more. Call us today!
