Neutering or spaying – what’s the difference?

There is quite a bit of confusion among pet owners when it comes to neutering and spaying.Do both terms mean the same thing??Neutering is a procedure for male cats, and spaying is for female cats?What exactly happens during the procedure??I'll explain!

Neutering or spaying a cat—what's the difference??

Both females and males can be neutered or spayed.Both procedures are designed to prevent animals from reproducing by rendering them infertile.So what is the difference between them??Spaying is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the gonads in both sexes: in female cats, this involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries, and in male cats, the removal of the testicles.It is therefore appropriate to perform the castration procedure on both females and males.

Neutering a cat has many benefits.Neutered cats are less aggressive, more trusting, and have a smaller territory, which, in the case of outdoor cats, reduces the risk of accidents or fights with other cats.

In short, the benefits of neutering include:

• unwanted offspring,
• the risk of weight gain after surgery,
• changes in a cat's behavior (which some see as an advantage and others as a disadvantage—it's up to each person to decide).

Many myths have arisen around neutering, and unfortunately, they still persist in the public consciousness.One of them is the claim that a cat becomes lazy after being neutered and loses all interest in play and physical activity.Many people also cite obesity and lower urinary tract problems as consequences of castration.It is therefore worth taking a closer look at this to understand exactly how these mechanisms work.

First and foremost, it should be clearly noted that neutering is a procedure that affects the reproductive system and, as a result, is associated with specific changes in the hormonal balance of male and female cats.In fact, both cats and dogs may exhibit certain behavioral changes as a result.The first of these is usually the loss of the need to mark territory, which occurs in both sexes among sexually active animals.This is because neutered cats, like neutered dogs, are generally less territorial and therefore tolerate the company of other animals better.In addition, the smell of their urine is significantly reduced after the procedure, making it much more comfortable for people to live under the same roof with a neutered pet.

A Balanced Diet: How to Prevent Your Cat from Gaining Weight After Neutering?

Contrary to popular belief, spaying or neutering does not cause weight gain or obesity.Obesity most often occurs when our cat is overfed and poorly nourished.A cat that hasn't undergone the procedure may just as easily have a weight problem.It is true, however, that neutered cats tend to accumulate more body fat due to overeating.Therefore, we shouldn’t completely change our pet’s eating habits, but rather reduce the portion sizes of the food we give them.If, after some time, you notice that your cat has gained weight, it means the portion is still too large.If we add to that the right amount of exercise for the cat and regular checkups, we have the recipe for a happy life for a neutered cat.

CAT BEHAVIOR EXPERT
Małgorzata Biegańska-Hendryk