The idea of sterilizing a cat arose at least once in every owner of a representative of the cat family. This procedure will permanently get rid of inadequate behavior of the pet, night screams and attempts to escape from the apartment. At what age is it recommended to sterilize cats?
What is sterilization for?
The procedure is performed to remove the animal from regular hormonal bursts, causing it to experience stress from uncontrolled sexual arousal.
Often, in response to a question about the age at which a cat should be sterilized, animal owners receive a dangerous recommendation from a veterinarian to stifle estrus with hormonal drugs. Unfortunately, against the background of their reception often there are tumors, diabetes and endometritis. Therefore, the only correct solution for correcting sexual behavior remains the sterilization of the cat.
When to sterilize a cat: the optimal age
There are two types of sterilization of cats:
- removal of ovaries - ovariectomy - less traumatism and can be performed at an early age, but after performing all the manipulations, the risk of developing uterine diseases in a cat does not decrease;
- ovariohysterectomy - the entire reproductive system is more dangerous, but at the same time it guarantees protection against the appearance of purulent inflammation of the uterus, and also prolongs the life of the animal.
Regardless of what type of surgery you think is right, you have to decide at what age you need to sterilize the cat. Ideal from the point of view of the hormonal status of the animal, the variant assumes reaching 7-8 months of age, provided that the age of puberty is reached. If the first estrus in a cat started in 5-6 months, the veterinarians are already allowed to plan the operation.
The older the cat, the more difficult it is to heal during the rehabilitation period. As a rule, animals before reaching the age of 10 do not require a thorough diagnosis before the procedure. Cats older than 10 years are diagnosed with heart disease, as well as a biochemical blood test.