steve@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Steven Holtsberg) (12/30/85)
What are the advantages and disadvantages to neutering a female cat? In particular, does the cat suffer when it is in heat? Is there a danger to the female if it is not neutered and kept away from other cats? If the female cat is going to be kept away from male cats, would there be a reason to neuter it?
kan@ihlpg.UUCP (Casali) (12/30/85)
> > What are the advantages and disadvantages to neutering a female > cat? In particular, does the cat suffer when it is in heat? > Is there a danger to the female if it is not neutered and > kept away from other cats? > > If the female cat is going to be kept away from male cats, would > there be a reason to neuter it? Having a unneutered female cat before, keeping it away from male cats is no easy task. When the cat goes into heat, it seems to take on a different personality. Everytime the door is about to open the cat is ready to make a break for it, just like a caged wild animal. If you have kids or guests this makes it impossible to keep the cat inside. My cat meowed constantly for days while it was in heat making it impossible to live with.
suze@terak.UUCP (Suzanne Barnett) (12/30/85)
> > What are the advantages and disadvantages to neutering a female > cat? In particular, does the cat suffer when it is in heat? Not really, they do appear to be about as uncomfortable as human women can become. > Is there a danger to the female if it is not neutered and > kept away from other cats? No. > > If the female cat is going to be kept away from male cats, would > there be a reason to neuter it? Sometimes cats get out when you don't want them to. The desire to get out increases SIGNIFICANTLY when they are in heat. (Our's literally tore the screen out of the window while we were at work to get out.) -- Merry Christmas! Suzanne Barnett-Scott uucp: ...{decvax,ihnp4,noao,savax,seismo}!terak!suze CalComp/Sanders Display Products Division 14151 N 76th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 (602) 998-4800
booter@lll-crg.ARpA (Elaine Richards) (12/31/85)
In article <2548@sdcrdcf.UUCP> steve@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Steven Holtsberg) writes: > >What are the advantages and disadvantages to neutering a female >cat? In particular, does the cat suffer when it is in heat? >Is there a danger to the female if it is not neutered and >kept away from other cats? There is a distinct danger to your mental health. The cat is yowing and PRRRRUUUTTTT???-ing all night long. You and your lovely hairy friend get no sleep for three to five days. Kitty also gets bad habits like escaping. Mine jumped a 12 foot fence to get laid. (She was spayed four days later) >If the female cat is going to be kept away from male cats, would >there be a reason to neuter it? You may THINK you will keep her away, but uh uh! She'll find a way (or her boyfriend will) They go into heat a lot if they don't get pregnant. 4 or more times annually. You think PMS is bad well, kitty's repro organs get swollen, she calls all night, noone gets sleep and she pees all over the house. Also, the neighborhood "gentlemen will mark their turf all over your turf. E ***** PS Pardon the line noise
cam@aluxe.UUCP (MASCAVAGE) (01/04/86)
> > What are the advantages and disadvantages to neutering a female > cat? In particular, does the cat suffer when it is in heat? > Is there a danger to the female if it is not neutered and > kept away from other cats? > > If the female cat is going to be kept away from male cats, would > there be a reason to neuter it? I have two young cats(one female, and one male), and a mommy cat. The younguns are both "fixed", but mama isn't. I have found that mamma does get somewhat more vocal and physical (she'll follow you around extremely close to be constantly petted) when she is in heat. This behavior seems to last a couple of days possibly 6 mos. appart(I haven't kept a very good count of the mos. inbetween, so this is extremely approx.) They are all basically indoor cats, though I do try to get them out for fresh air with walks on the leash, and some time in an outdoor pen. I have not had the problem of mamma diving for the door as some others have mentioned,neither has my granmother who's cat is not spayed(she's not had any litters at all),but this may depend on the individual cat. Those are some comments on the unspayed one, now for the "fixed" kitties. Here I basically would like to warn you about some things you may encounter if you decide to get the cat "fixed". From what I have heard from many sources, it is very important not to get this done too early! I would say at least 8mos. if you can wait. In fact if htere is no urgency(an indoor cat with no males available) you may want to make sure the cat is done with it's physical growth - maybe even until after the first heat. The reason I say this is because of the problems that may result if it's done too soon.(This was discussed before on the net, but I'll summarize for those who missed it) If the cat is too young and small when "fixed", proper growth may not occur overall, and especially in the urinary system which leads to blockage problems that may be deadly if not treated immediately. This may be avoided by using a low ash dry diet or a totally moist/wet food diet (mine are doing OK). This syndrome is also more common in males. Basically, be aware of the possible problems, and check carefully into the vet you choose. I was very upset because my vet okayed the "fixing" of my cats at 5mos. which I now believe was way too early after talking more to cat people and other vets. Whatever your decision, GOOD LUCK. CAM
steve@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Steven Holtsberg) (01/04/86)
Thanks for all the responses- I received about 10 and they almost unanimously said "neuter the cat". I don't own the cat- it is my sister's. But I'll do all I can to convince her to have it fixed.
ibyf@ihlpa.UUCP (Scott) (01/08/86)
Hey there Net.landers, Is it me, or do you neuter a MALE cat (or dog) and SPAY a female (cat or dog)? thanks Dave Scott ihnp4!ihlpa!ibyf Great! I'm about to get killed a million miles from no where with a gung-ho iguana telling me to relax!