Having a kitten at home generates great satisfaction, but it also entails great responsibility. Due to the characteristics of their reproductive cycle, it is highly advisable to sterilize our female cats at a suitable age to avoid unwanted litters or the discomfort of heat.
In this article on our site we will learn more about the estrous cycle of cats. Find out below the ideal age to sterilize a cat:
Should a cat be neutered before or after the first heat?
The surgical intervention that is generally carried out is an ovariohisterectomy, which consists of removing the uterus and ovaries, always using general anesthesia. It is also possible to perform an oophorectomy, removal of the ovaries only, or ligation, which blocks only the access of the eggs.
However, they are not usually performed since the latter, for example, allows the cat to continue having a normal sexual cycle, which causes the cat to suffer from heat discomfort.
When is the ideal time to neuter a female cat?
There are two moments in the life of the cat indicated for carrying out the intervention:
- In the prepubertal periodwhen she reaches 2.5 kilos
- After the first heatwhen she is in anestrus
Our veterinarian will tell us when is the ideal time to sterilize our cat based on her characteristics
Is it possible to neuter a cat in heat?
Although it is possible to perform the operation it is not advisable to sterilize a female cat while she is in heat as it involvesmany more risks than normal operation.
When do female cats reach puberty?
Cats reach sexual maturity between 6 and 9 months of age, thus beginning their fertile age. There are different factors that influence on the onset of puberty:
- Cat weight: when the cat reaches the somatic development of the breed.
- Breed: long-haired cats have late puberty (12 months), while Siamese cats have early puberty. Within the middle ground are the common and mesoline races.
- Daylight hours: bright light more than 12 hours about two months before puberty is expected to occur earlier.
- Presence of males
- Date of birth (season of the year): females born at the beginning of the breeding season go through puberty earlier than those born at the end.
- Born in autumn-winter are earlier than those in spring-summer (it is warmer).
- Stress: If prepubertal lives with dominant active cats, she may not present puberty to avoid fights.
Phases of the estrous cycle of cats
Two types (mixed):
- Ovulatory: normal, with follicular phase and luteal phase.
- Anovulatory: follicular phase only.
The cycles are distributed irregularly and arbitrarily throughout the breeding season. There may be ovulatory cycles along with anovulatory ones. For ovulation to occur, it is necessary that at the time of heat the cat undergoes physical stimulation at the level of the cervix, that is, it is induced ovulation.
In cats that live indoors they can be jealous throughout the year despite being a seasonal species that usually cycles between the months of January to September (longer daylight hours).
Phases: Proestrus → Estrus:
Anovulatory cycle
If you do not ovulate (because you are not stimulated) post-estrus occurs. Corpus luteum does not form, therefore follicles that have matured (and not ovulated) tend to become atresia. There is no metestro or right-hander. The cat continues with an anestrus phase of sexual rest and continues with the normal cycle (depending on the season):
- New cycle.
- Seasonal anestro.
Ovulatory cycle
There is excitement (it is covered) and, therefore, ovulation. Continue with:
- Metaestro.
- Right handed.
Depending on the copula:
- Copulation performed correctly: there is gestation (seasonal anestrus), delivery and lactation continue.
- Intercourse not performed correctly: when the cervix is not properly stimulated, there is ovulation but no pregnancy.
There may be a luteinization of the follicles, giving a right hand with pseudo-pregnancy. Therefore, there is metestrous and right-handed, anestrous and finally he comes out in heat again.
Duration of each phase
Regardless of whether you ovulate or not:
- Proestro: 1-2 days. During proestrus, cats vocalize suggestively and with greater intensity. They rub their heads and necks to release pheromones and mark them. They try to attract the male and position themselves in lordosis (curvature of the spine).
- Estrus: 2-10 days (6 days on average), depending on the breed and the time of the breeding season (at final → some follicular residue remains in the ovary and, therefore, they have longer oestrus and shorter rest).
Ovulation does not occur immediately after mating, but 24-48 hours later.
- Metaestro.
- Pregnancy (58-74 days) / Pseudopregnancy.
During 5-6 days after ovulation, the embryos move before passing to the uterine horns and once there they continue to move rhythmically to favor the secretion of placental estrogens and inhibit the synthesis of uterine PG, making it known to the pregnant mother.
- Definitive implantation: 12-16 days after intercourse.
- After childbirth: the cat can attend lactation together with a new pregnancy (she recovers cycling 48 hours after childbirth or, if it is the season, she will enter seasonal anestrus)
If the copula is wrong:
- Pseudogestation between 35-50 days Anestrus (1-3 weeks) New cycle.
- The difference with the bitch is that the pseudopregnancy in the cat does not present mammary modifications or behavior change. Only reproductive behavior ceases.
Advantages of sterilization
Some people experience hesitation when it comes to neutering their female cats. However, this operation has many advantages that should be considered:
- Reduced sexual behavior: vocalizations, urine marking, leaking, rubbing against surfaces, etc.
- Reducing the risk of transmission of infectious diseases (feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, etc.) through bites during mounting and fights during heat.
- We prevent hormone-dependent diseases such as breast tumors and pyometras (uterine infections).
And remember, it is not necessary for the cat to go through a pregnancy to improve her he alth, it is an unfounded belief.
Is it good to sterilize a cat with pills?
There are pills and injections that we can offer a cat to prevent the appearance of heat, and as a consequence, ovulation. It is a momentary "sterilization" since the treatment has a beginning and an end.
These types of methods have serious side effects, as they increase the risk of certain types of cancer or can cause changes in the conduct. It is not recommended to use them on more than one occasion.
How much does it cost to sterilize a cat?
The price of sterilization varies greatly depending on the veterinary clinic, the anesthesia used or the country you are in.
In Spain we find very cheap prices, from 30 to 70 euros in protectors, 100 euros in sterilization campaigns or up to 200 and 300 euros in veterinary clinics and hospitals. In México we would castrate a cat for 50 or 70 Mexican pesos in a shelter, but in a clinic we can talk about a price of around 200 or 500 Mexican pesos.
In Colombia we can talk about between 70,000 and 150,000 Colombian pesos per operation and in Argentinawe also find very different prices, we find places that sterilize for 500 Argentine pesos, while others can cost up to 900 Argentine pesos.
Postoperative and recovery
The care of a recently operated cat is essential to prevent the wound from becoming infectedWe must maintain regular hygiene of the area and at the same time prevent it from being scratched or nibbled. We will follow all the advice that the veterinarian offers us.
In addition, it will also be necessary to modify your feed to one adapted to your new needs. In the market we can easily find light or sterilized cat food, specifically formulated for neutered cats.
