Mating season is just around the corner, with cats in many regions beginning to go into heat starting in February. It’s no coincidence that it’s National Prevent A Litter Month, an awareness campaign started by animal activists in hopes of curbing the influx of unwanted kittens that will inevitably begin to overwhelm shelters in the spring and summer months.
If your cat is four months of age or older, and they’ve not yet been fixed, they’re likely already capable of reproducing. Learn why it’s a smart idea to smart or neuter your cat as soon as possible.

Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to roam. Many cat parents put off spaying or neutering because they can’t imagine their indoor-only kitty ever pairing up with a mate. But cats, both male and female, become incredibly determined to roam during mating season. Females go into heat every 2-3 weeks in the spring and summer, and males can pick up their scent from up to a mile away

Spayed cats are ~90% less likely to develop mammary cancer. Mammary cancer is the third most common form of cancer in cats, yet your cat’s risk is reduced by 91% if she’s spayed before six months of age. Those spayed between 7-12 months still benefit with a risk reduction of 86%. Spaying between 1 and 2 years still offers 11% risk reduction.

Neutered cats are less likely to spray urine. All cats, both males and females, and those that are fixed and intact, can spray urine to mark their territory. However, unneutered males are most likely to spray. As early as four months of age, an unneutered male cat will use pungent urine markings to assert territorial boundaries to other cats. Neutering before your male cat matures lessens the chances that they’ll ever spray. In cats that do still spray after neutering, the urine is less stinky.

Spayed and neutered cats are less likely to fight. In males and females, fluctuating hormones and competition between cats of the same sex can lead to violent fights, either with other cats in the home or those they may encounter if they ever roam outside. Fighting between cats can lead to dangerous, life-threatening injuries prone to infection, and cat bites are highly susceptible to the spread of Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia (FeLV).

Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters. Nearly two million cats are euthanized in shelters across the United States each year due to overcrowding. As adorable as kittens may be, shelters are already preparing for the flood of unplanned litters that will be born this summer. If your cat falls pregnant, you’ll be responsible for prenatal vet visits, the possibility of birth complications, costs of feeding, deworming, vaccinating, and otherwise caring for an entire litter, which will usually consist of around four kittens but could be as many as twelve tiny, hungry mouths.

Don’t Delay, Neuter or Spay Today

Many shelters, humane societies, and cat rescues offer assistance to pet parents who still need to have their cat spayed or neutered. Don’t wait - later in the season it can become harder to find an appointment. The sooner you get your cat fixed, the sooner you can enjoy a happy, healthy, litter-free summer.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.