Before sterilising your cat
If you have a cat – or several – at home, sooner or later you will have to ask yourself a question: To sterilise or not? This question will almost certainly be followed by a series of doubts: what the advantages or disadvantages are, what the procedure consists of and how it will affect your cat. Sterilising your cat is a big decision and the more information you have about it, the better. At Ultima, we want to make it easier for you, which is why we are going to tell you the pros and cons, the aspects to take into account before and after the operation, and the changes that your cat will undergo if you choose to sterilise.
What you should know before sterilising your cat
Neutering a cat is a very common operation that you can arrange at your regular veterinary clinic. Females have their ovaries and uterus removed, although the ovaries can be removed while leaving the uterus, which is less invasive and takes less time. Males have their testicles removed, thereby eliminating sperm production and the hormones responsible for sexual behaviour.
Your veterinarian will indicate the steps that you need to follow before the operation. Before the procedure, they will perform a general check-up to make sure that your cat is completely healthy. Your cat will have to go several hours without eating or drinking: this time may be shorter or longer depending on your cat's age and weight, and your veterinarian will tell you.
Advantages of sterilising your cat
Some carers are clear about this from the start. Others, not so much. That's okay. Even though it is a tough decision to make, you need to know that sterilising your cat holds many advantages for him or her.
Neutering improves your cat's behaviour and quality of life. Don't worry: the operation will not reduce your cat's learning ability, intelligence or playfulness. Your cat's personality will remain the same as it ever was.
Here are some of the main advantages of sterilisation according to your cat's sex.
Advantages of spaying your female cat:
- Heat is eliminated, reducing behaviours such as urine spraying and calling to attract males.
- It prevents urinary infections and other more serious diseases, such as mammary cancer.
- It prevents unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation: a cat can go into heat three times a year and give birth to six kittens in each litter. Separating her from her kittens if you can't or don't want to take care of them is very hard on her. Instead of abandoning them or having them put down, it is better to simply avoid pregnancy.
- Advantages of sterilising your male cat:
- Territorial behaviour is minimised: castration reduces rutting and the behaviours associated with it, such as spraying and aggression towards other cats.
- It reduces and prevents the risk of suffering the most common illnesses, such as prostatitis or testicular cancer.
Consequences of sterilising your cat
Despite the many advantages of sterilising your cat, there are some issues that you should take into account. The procedure can change your cat's character and metabolism, as well as affecting their health and general wellbeing.
These are the main consequences of sterilising your cat:
- Change in behaviour due to the reduction in sex hormones: female cats can become more affectionate. Because they lose their sexual appetite, they will be less prone to leaving the home. Males become more docile and easier to handle. They will stop showing territorial behaviour and the tendency for leaving the home and spraying will be reduced.
- Weight gain: neutered cats lose the ability to regulate the amount of food they eat, which translates to a greater food intake and therefore sterilisation can cause your cat to gain weight.
- Decrease in activity levels: With sterilisation, your cat's activity levels may be decreased, meaning that he or she will burn fewer calories than before the procedure. If your cat eats more than necessary, it will begin to accumulate the excess as fat, causing weight gain.
- Greater urinary tract sensitivity: This consists of a problem that can affect day-to-day wellbeing and quality of life. Watch out for the symptoms: presence of blood in urine, urination in inappropriate places or increased frequency of litter tray visits. If they appear, consult your veterinarian.
After sterilising your cat
How to care for your cat after sterilisation
Once neutered, your cat needs time to recover. Due the complexity of the operation, male cats need less time than female cats to recover from the operation. If your cat is male, you may be able to take him home with you on the same day. If your cat is female, your veterinarian may recommend leaving her in the clinic for a day to recuperate. When returning home, make sure your cat is comfortable, calm and at a pleasant temperature.
During the first days following the operation, it is possible that your cat may be hostile, stressed or in a bad mood: this is completely normal behaviour that you can counteract with cuddles, even if your cat refuses to accept them entirely to begin with. If your cat loses his or her appetite after the operation, you can ask your vet to recommend a dietary supplement.
Specific food for sterilised cats
Sterilisation brings with it several changes that you need to pay attention to, such as weight gain and urinary tract sensitivity. The diet you give them can help to control them. For this reason, it is convenient to change your cat's dry food after sterilisation and choose a specific recipe.
Dry food for sterilised cats needs to be nutritious, with high-quality animal proteins and plant fibre with a satiating effect, which does not provide more calories than required. Such a formulation will help to control your cat's weight and keep him or her in good shape.
If the food helps to control your cat's weight, it will avoid the possible health problems resulting from being overweight, such as diabetes, lameness and fatty liver disease.
A cat's diet also needs to look after the urinary tract. Cats benefit from food that helps them to dilute their urine, contributing to keeping it at the right pH and facilitating the excretion of minerals.
Sterilised cats have certain needs that must be met through their nutrition. Ultima products for sterilised cats help to control your cat's weight thanks to their moderate levels of fat and calories. Their formulation includes fibre to help regulate appetite and control overeating.
The high percentage of high-quality proteins helps them to stay in good shape, maintaining their vitality. Furthermore, Ultima helps to care for the urinary tract, maintaining an adequate urinary pH. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and zinc contribute to maintaining a healthy, shiny coat.
Ultima Sterilised Cats offers specific dry food for junior, adult and senior cats. For adult cats, you can choose between different varieties: chicken, beef and salmon, combined with barley and wholegrain cereals to help them maintain a balanced diet.
A common problem in cats is hairballs. If your cat is prone to them, Ultima Sterilised Hair Ball will help to prevent them from forming and aid their expulsion. Furthermore, thanks to its low levels of fat and calories, it will help to control your cat's weight.