WHEN SHOULD YOUR ANIMAL HAVE THE OPERATION?

While many cats are sexually mature at 5-6 months old, some may come into season later or as early as 4 months. A dog will usually first come into season around 7-8 months. It is important to talk to your vetinarian about the appropriate time for the operation on your pet. However, it is best to have the surgery before the female or male becomes sexually active.

Adult cats or dogs can be neutered at any time although it is easier and less costly if a female is not in season at the time of surgery. If you are bringing up a kitten or puppy be sure to watch for changes in your pet's behaviour as this may indicate he / she has reached sexual maturity. Remember, your dog or cat cannot say NO. That is your responsibility!

Normally your cat or dog will have recovered from the anaesthetic in 24 hours and will be up and about as usual. However, it is important to restrict exercise for 10-14 days while your pet recovers from surgery (especially in the event of spaying, as this is a bigger and more complicated operation). At this time after the operation make sure your pet can stay in a clean, comfortable and secure environment to prevent any infection. A neutered dog will still be a good guard dog, both males and females will still bark and protect their territory.

The cost of neutering your pet will depend upon the sex (male or female) and the size of the animal (different body weights need varying degrees of anaesthetic). Generally a dog should cost around 200 - 300RM and a cat around 150RM. Any local vetinarian will carry out the operation, just call in and make a consultation appointment or alternatively you could bring your animal into PAWS and talk to our resident vetinary surgeon.

For the intact male cat OR dog, the search for a mating partner will often take him far and wide, crossing many roads and entering other male's territories. The results are often fatal traffic accidents or fights with other males that can leave your pet in very bad shape. He won't be the handsome, healthy animal you fell in love with when you first saw him. An intact male will mark his territory by spraying urine. Urine from a mature, intact male has a powerful, unpleasant odour and may stain many fabrics. His territory might include your curtains, furniture, doors, walls, shoes etc. Once an item has been sprayed, it is extremely difficult to get rid of the smell.

Every year, thousands of cats, kittens, puppies and dogs are brought to PAWS for shelter. Each home you find for your pet's offspring is one less home for a PAWS animal. Please do not add to the problem by not neutering your animal. Help those that are already in need of a good lifetime home.

The only difference you may notice in your pet after being neutered is it has more of a tendency to put on weight. This is because the hormones are affected and your pet's metabolism will slow down. It is therefore important to feed your pet ONLY as much food as he / she needs to maintain a healthy weight. After neutering if you notice your pet getting fat you may need to cut back on the amount you feed them and be sure to make sure he / she gets plenty of regular daily exercise.

Neutering will not change an animal's basic personality. Male pets do not understand the concept of EGO and therefore will not sense any loss of 'manhood'. In fact he doesn't suffer from any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis by being neutered.

Contrary to myth, it is NOT better for your cat or dog to produce a litter of young before being spayed. Medical evidence shows that females spayed BEFORE their first heat are typically healthier animals. It also makes no difference if your pet is a pedigree. Many of the animals brought into PAWS are pedigrees and it is a sad fact that there are just TOO MANY CATS AND DOGS - both mixed breed and pure breed.