If you have recently brought home a new kitten, then you will of course want to make sure you do your best to keep that kitten safe and healthy. As a new cat owner, you may have questions about the benefits of having the cat fixed and whether or not there are any negative aspects you should be aware of. This article will cover some of the more commonly asked questions about having a cat spayed or neutered and provide you with answers to those questions.

How invasive is the procedure?

Having your cat fixed is a simple procedure that involves only a half a day at the vet's office. Whether you have a male or female cat, only a small incision will be made for the procedure. When you bring your cat home, you will want to keep them indoors and calm for a few days following the procedure so they heal quickly and don't injure themselves. Also, try to keep them from licking the incision site.

How old does a kitten have to be in order to be fixed?

Kittens can be fixed when they are about 8 weeks old. As long as they are at least two pounds, they will be fine going through the procedure and most kittens weigh this much by this age range. Since you shouldn't take a kitten away from its mother until it is 8 weeks old, this means you can make an appointment to have yours fixed as soon as you bring it home.

What benefits come from fixing your cat?

When you have a male cat fixed, it will decrease the chances of them spraying to mark their territory. Cat spray smells very bad and is strong, as well as hard to remove from surfaces. Male cats will also go away from home looking for females in season and they will fight with other males, sometimes getting seriously injured and needing emergency veterinarian care following these fights.

Female cats will also leave home looking for a mate when they are in season. They will also meow in a very loud and obnoxious tone, calling for males to come to them. This will cause males in the area to come to your home and if you have a female you keep inside, those males will try to get in and even spray on the outside of your house to mark their territory.

For more information, contact a local clinic like Ashworth Road Animal Hospital PC.

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