"Fixing" Your Cat

I hate the term "fixing" for most conversations about pets, but in this circumstance, I find it absolutely appropriate. Spaying or neutering your pet is incredibly important. Often pets who act out or are difficult to live with are usually hormonal and afraid. Once the procedure is done, they feel less emotions not only from their previously raging hormones, but other stray cats will seek out others to mate with. For an indoor or outdoor cat, this can be terrifying. Females that are naturally more territorial will feel that these outside animals are cornering her and males will feel like their own scent becomes lost in a sea of other cats. Males will start spraying everywhere and often clawing too. Females will often start acting out, even to the people they love. Once a pet is spayed or neutered, other strays will no longer smell the hormones coming from your beloved, and will seek fulfillment someplace else. This will put a previously on edge kitty at ease.

On top of all of this, I must also point out how many homeless animals that need homes are around. Our shelters are to the point of overflowing and I still hear horror stories like the one of my boy kitty, Billy, who was thrown in a dumpster in a snowstorm when he was too little to even be taken from his mommy. There are animals thrown out, because people don't know what to do with them. They don't take the original responsibility to spay or neuter and then when their beloved pet has little ones who make noise at all hours of the day and night, they can't stand it. This was not how having kittens around was supposed to be...

So I urge anyone with a problem kitty that hasn't done it yet: get that kitty fixed! Many readers will respond "but it is very expensive at a vet's office and I am not in a financial position to pay for a surgery like this." Have no fear readers! Check with your local Humane Society or other no kill shelters for partial financial assistance or sometimes even no cost options.

I also want to add a few side notes when bringing your newly "fixed" kitty home. Often kitties that were once very excitable and rambunctious turn into sweet-natured, incredibly docile friends and companions. Also, male cats that are sometimes outdoors (and sometimes females too) can actually be putting their lives at risk if there is a feral male in your neighborhood. Letting your cat outside without being spayed or neutered is like throwing them into the wild. Yes, they may live a long life just fine, but they could also be targeted for lunch by a bigger predator. So please think of your faithful feline friend when making this decision as it could not only save your sanity, but your friendship as well.