Most people think that the sterilization surgery of cats is the same as that of humans. As long as a certain section of the reproductive system is "tied up", everything will be fine! In fact, it is much more complicated. The sterilization surgery of female cats involves removing the ovaries. It is called OHE surgery; while for male cats, two testicles are usually removed, just like the eunuchs in ancient times. Such sterilization of male cats is called castration. For those after childbirth, Cats or cats that have uterine lesions or tend to have lesions due to frequent estrus (pyometra or uterine fibroids) will also consider removing the uterus to reduce the cat’s health risks.

Maine Coon Cat

What is the significance of sterilization surgery for cats? Why should we constantly emphasize the importance of "it"? We can talk about the purpose of "sterilization" from three aspects.

​1. Avoid or reduce the trouble caused by estrus

I think everyone who has raised a cat has experienced the horror of a cat in heat, right? When the lively and lovely cat at home senses the "coming of spring", suddenly it is no longer familiar to you. The beloved cat began to urinate everywhere, scratch the screens, doors or furniture in order to go out, cry loudly in the middle of the night, have a bad temper, fight with other animals, and have a fluctuating appetite. As the master, you feel like you are in hell. You are really angry, worried and distressed.

What makes me angry is that the environment at home is messed up by cat urine, feces and cat scratches. The person is also disturbed and sleep deprived, turning into a giant panda. He is worried that the cat is unable to resist the temptation of the outside world and may run out at any time. From then on, the person becomes a giant panda. The cat will never see us again; and what makes me sad is that it looks so restless and lonely, but because I cannot bear the burden of raising a group of kittens, I have no choice but to let it continue to be helpless!

I often hear that many people think that it is cruel and unethical to allow cats to undergo this surgery. However, there are many cats whose owners are unwilling to perform this surgery on them and cannot bear the trouble caused by being in heat. And were randomly "released" or hastily transferred to others.

Maybe as an owner, you can tolerate the cat's various behaviors, but what about your family? What about your neighbors? Can they tolerate it? If others can't tolerate it, can you bravely bear the blame and pressure of others and remain consistent? Do you take good care of your cat? If not, then take it for sterilization surgery!

2. Control the number of stray cats

Although superficially elegantThe problem of stray dogs is more serious, but in fact more and more stray cats are appearing in the streets and alleys, and they are reproducing.

Can you guarantee that your cat will never run out of the house or get lost? Especially during the estrus season, lost cats become poor stray cats. If there is another generation, these little kittens will become the second generation of stray cats. In addition to starving and freezing, we also have to endure people’s merciless beatings, scoldings, and killings. Why would we bother to create more stray kittens?

So if your cat has the urge to run away at any time or simply wanders outside, you need to consider having it "neutered"!

3. Avoid pathological changes and obesity

Reduce or avoid the occurrence of reproductive system diseases. No matter whether cats have had "sexual experience" or not, when they gradually enter old age, the function of the reproductive system will begin to decline or develop lesions.

For female cats, gynecological problems that may occur include: pyometra, breast tumors, ovarian cysts and tumors, etc., while for male cats, there may be testicular tumors and prostate hypertrophy. Don’t underestimate these problems! Once they occur, if surgery cannot be performed immediately, the cat may end its life prematurely and painfully in a short period of time. However, because the cat has entered old age at this time, its heart, lung, liver and kidney function will deteriorate. It is no longer as good as it was when I was young, and the risks of surgical anesthesia are relatively higher.

Even if the surgery is successfully completed, the recovery of the wound and physical strength is slower and less than ideal for young cats. This is why veterinarians now encourage cat owners to have their cats sterilized as early as possible. Not only can they avoid the occurrence of these terrible diseases, but they can also reduce the risks of surgery.

In addition, older cats may also develop some internal secretion problems such as diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal gland dysfunction, etc. The treatment and control of these diseases will be interfered by the hormones secreted by the ovaries or testicles, leading to instability of the condition and increasing the difficulty of treatment and control. In this case, the success of the sterilization surgery can only depend on the cat’s willpower, the doctor’s superb skills, and God’s blessing!

Does sterilization cause obesity?

As for the problems that may be caused by sterilization surgery, according to rumors, they are "getting fat" and "having a lazier personality or a drastic change in personality." However, in all current research reports in this area, it is not believed that sterilization will cause such problems. Two side effects.

According to many studies, regardless of whether cats have been neutered or not, cats may have a tendency to gain weight as their body metabolism slows down as they age. Therefore, neutered cats may have a slowdown in body metabolism.