Advantages, care and the best diet for neutered cats

To castrate or not to castrate our kitten? This is the big question many owners face. It is a really important decision that must be made with the veterinarian and that can, in some way, modify some of the animal's behaviors. Today we tell you about the advantages that neutering can bring to your kitten , as well as the ways to keep your companion healthy and active after the intervention by giving him the best cat food . Let's start!

What are the advantages of neutering a cat?

Many people feel “sorry” about neutering their pet in case it hurts them and others do not do it because of the possibility that their pet has puppies to sell or give away. However, the benefits of castration in animals are many... and today we will tell you about the most important ones.

Less diseases:

Neutering eliminates the risk of your feline suffering from any major illness. Neutered females, for example, are less likely to suffer from ovarian and uterine cancer, polycystic ovaries or metritis, while male kittens are less likely to have testicular cancer or prostatitis, adenomas or perianal hernias.

Birth reduction:

Castration of animals is a way to control birth rates and avoid uncontrolled reproduction, thus preventing the large abandonment of animals that is usually seen every day on the streets.

Better coexistence:

Castration helps to have a better coexistence with animals. They lose much of their aggressiveness after castration and become more docile and manageable. You won't have to put up with your companion urinating where he shouldn't, having territorial behaviors or fighting with other animals to see who is more dominant.

Furthermore, in the case of females, before the intervention they usually have up to 4 heats per year and during these periods they eat less, move from one place to another and do not stop meowing. Sterilization in this case will also eliminate these behaviors that can make coexistence in the domestic environment difficult in some cases.

Fewer getaways:

Neutering can also reduce the risk of males running away from home after a female in heat, since the smell that they give off does not affect them in the same way. It is a way to prevent many pets from being lost (and prevent you, as the owner, from having unnecessary scares).

How to care for your cat if it has been neutered?

Despite all these benefits, it is true that neutered kittens need extra care that we must take into account.

In the short term, your kitten will be convalescing after the intervention and you will have to help him get through those first moments. During the first days, help him stay calm and collected (avoiding unnecessary trips, uncontrolled games and contact with other pets). Place the bed, the water bowl and other elements that he may need close to him so that he can access it without efforts... and observe his behavior during the first days (if you see that he vomits, bleeds or has any strange behavior, consult your veterinarian immediately).

After those first moments of convalescence, the kitten will be perfectly fine, although it is true that felines that have gone through this experience are three times more likely to gain weight. The reasons? Neutering usually brings with it slight changes in metabolism and a lower amount of energy and exercise needs.

To prevent your kitten from having overweight problems, we recommend two solutions that you can combine:

Activity:

It is essential to plan daily activities that help the kitten stay active and fit. You can increase their activity at mealtime (by hiding treats and food in toys or secret corners to stimulate their “hunting” feeling) and encourage play (with special toys or more advanced structures such as bookshelves and scratching trees).

Meal:

If your cat gains weight after castration, you must take care of its diet. But that does not mean that you reduce their daily food portions (because this can cause hunger and nutritional problems for the little one). We recommend giving you the best food for sterilized cats since it is specially adapted for them. An ideal example is DNM Light Menu , a special food with fewer calories but a higher concentration of nutrients and natural ingredients for cats with low activity and a tendency to be overweight. Or you can also choose Fitmin Purity Castrate , food for sterilized, neutered and overweight cats made with 80% animal origin.

And here we finish for today. If you have any additional questions about castration, we recommend contacting your veterinarian, the best specialist to answer all your questions.