Could 850,000 unwanted cat pregnancies be prevented?
New research recently published in the Veterinary Record shows that high numbers of unwanted kittens may be caused by owners lack of knowledge.
80% of litters were reported to be accidental.
25% of owners believed (incorrectly) that cats could not get pregnant until they were at least 1 year of age.
Further 49% of owners believed ( again incorrectly) that a female cat should have a litter before being neutered. It is estimated that the number of unwanted litters being born could be reduced by 850,000 each year if owners did not believe this last point.
We have seen far more unwanted cats and kittens in the last 12 months than is usual, so responsible ownership is needed more than ever.
We recommend female cats are neutered around 6 months of age or before if they start to come into season earlier (however it is unusual for cats to come into season before 6 months of age). Male cats should also be neutered at the same age. Please phone the surgery if you think your cat needs to be neutered.
Neutering is a surgery that we perform daily and as with all anaesthetics they do carry a risk but this is a simple procedure. Our vets will give your cat a full health check the morning of the surgery, then your cat will be taken into our kennelling room and given a pre med to relax them before surgery, the surgery will then take place and your cat will be able to go home that safe afternoon or evening. Our nurses will have a chat with you when you come to collect your cat about the do’s and don’t s after surgery. Female cats will need to come back 7 – 10 days after surgery for their stitches to be removed but male cats do not need to return as they do not have external stitches.
