Should You Have Your Older Cat Spayed?
Posted on: 18 September 2015
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There is a common misconception that if you have an older cat who has never been spayed, it is too late and too risky to do the surgery and you're better off waiting. This is generally not the case. Though there is a higher risk of complications of any surgery in older animals than in younger ones, and spaying is no exception, there are still many reasons to have your older cat spayed. For most older cats, the benefits of spaying still outweigh the risks.
Breeding can be physically hard on an older cat.
If you do not spay your cat and she continues to go into heat, the physical demand of mating with male cats may present health risks to her. The male cats may be rough with her, leading to skin injuries from biting, bruises, and more. In an older cat, these injuries can linger for longer than in a younger cat, causing pain and prolonged discomfort. If you have the cat spayed, however, she will not have to go through the rigors of breeding.
If your older cat gets pregnant, the situation could be life-threatening.
Some mother cats continue to become pregnant when they're really too old to care for kittens well. Being a mother may take too much energy for your older cat, leaving her susceptible to illness. The kittens may also suffer since their mother is not spry enough to provide them with the care they need.
Spaying reduces the risk of reproductive cancers.
Many older cats end up developing cancers of the reproductive tract and mammary glands. These cancers are often life-threatening. If your cat has managed to avoid cancer thus far, having her spayed now may ensure that is not her fate. Having your cat spayed alters the production of female hormones in a manner that makes such cancers far less likely.
Spaying reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are another common problem in aging cats. Not only do they cause the cat discomfort, but they can cause your cat to display unwanted behaviors like urinating outside the litter box. Have your cat spayed, and you'll reduce the chances that she'll need treatment for UTIs down the road.
It often takes older cats longer to recover from spaying than younger cats. However, your vet will know how to ensure your cat makes a safe recovery. For most older cats, the benefits of spaying still outweigh the risks -- but your vet can tell you for certain whether or not this is true for your cat. For more information, contact a local pet clinic like Fischer Animal Hospital.