Kittens in New Bedford: Why a Spay and Neuter Program Matters

Just about every community in the South Coast area has an issue with over-population of unwanted cats and dogs. The shelters are full and local towns, and counties have many more feral cat colonies than most people realize. However, there is something that responsible New Bedford pet owners can do to reduce this heartbreaking situation. When you visit your Dartmouth animal hospital for a veterinary check-up, make sure to ask about their spay and neuter program. By choosing to spay or neuter your pet, you can help reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs in our local area. Pet owners have a responsibility to take care of their pet and provide them with quality care and nutrition. There are many health benefits associated with spaying or neutering your pet that you can discuss with your veterinarian.

Disease Prevention

Studies show that by spaying a female cat before her first “heat” cycle, you can significantly reduce her risk of cervical cancer and eliminate her risk for ovarian cancer. After spaying, hormone levels are decreased as well, meaning that the growth of cancerous tumors will be reduced as well, significantly cutting the risk for mammary cancer in female cats. However, there are other diseases that can be spread due to cat behavior during mating. A good spay and neuter program can prevent this behavior and stop the spread of these common diseases. Feline AIDS and feline leukemia are the two diseases most concerning that come from cats mating and fighting.

Roaming and Fighting

When you spay or neuter your cat, you can help them to reduce the urge to fight over territory or mates, which can lead to the contraction of these incurable diseases. Your local Dartmouth animal hospital can help you decide on the best time to spay or neuter your pet when you bring them in for a veterinary check-up. New Bedford pet owners can help reduce aggressive instincts in cats, whether they stay all of the time indoors or go outdoors. Indoor female cats who are not spayed will try to escape to mate with a male every time you open the door. Males will also try to get into your home to mate with your female, which can result in fighting and roaming for long distances just to find a mate.

Stop Spraying

Contrary to popular thought, both male and female cats will spray fluids as part of territorial and mating urges. Male cats will spray urine on top of vertical surfaces to mark their territory. Not only is this disgusting and damaging to the furniture, but it puts out the “alert” to other males that he is an unneutered male who is looking for females and lets females know that he is waiting for the chance to mate with them. Neutering a male cat will significantly reduce or eliminate the urge to spray. Female cats spray when they go into heat, putting down a scent to alert males that they are fertile and ready to mate. When you spay your female cat, you will eliminate this problem as well.

What is a Spay and Neuter Program?

New Bedford pet owners often have a lot of questions about spaying and neutering, as they wonder if this is the best choice for their pet. Your veterinarian can help answer any questions that you might have about their spay and neuter program, what it entails, and when it should be performed. The surgical neutering procedure will be done under general anesthesia in the veterinary office. Pre- and post-operative care instructions will be provided. For female cats, a much larger incision is required to completely remove the uterus and ovaries, which can mean staying overnight for observation. Cones, collars, and other products are often recommended to keep your pet from biting, licking, or scratching at the surgical site so it can heal properly.

Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth

Our veterinary team provides professional services for pet owners throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. New Bedford pet owners and pet owners from all over the Southcoast region have been bringing their pets to Anchor Animal Hospital in Dartmouth since 1975. Whether your pet requires an annual veterinary check-up, vaccinations, preventive treatments, or if you are interested in learning more about our spay and neuter program, our team can help you to achieve your goals. Our Dartmouth animal hospital offers a wide range of top quality services designed to help your pet live a long and healthy life. If you would like to schedule an appointment or speak with one of our team members, just give us a call at 508-996-3731.