Neutering is a simple, safe way to keep your cat calm, healthy and out of trouble. — MARKUS SCHOLZ/dpa-tmn
The thought of your beloved cat being on the operating table can be daunting for any pet owner.
Yet for many cats, neutering is strongly recommended.
But is it really necessary?
Dalia Zohni, pet expert at the German Animal Welfare Association, is clear: "Cat owners play a key role in preventing the suffering of stray cats. By neutering their pets, they make an important contribution to animal welfare."
Many street cats are descended from unneutered pets. On the streets, they struggle to survive or end up in overcrowded animal shelters.
Neutering helps prevent uncontrolled reproduction and curbs the population of homeless animals.
According to the German Animal Welfare Association, around one in 10 cats is not neutered.
Beyond animal welfare, there are other benefits to neutering. It is a routine veterinary procedure, and the risk is generally low for healthy cats.
Neutering stops the production of sex hormones, which can help reduce aggressive or territorial behaviour.
While neutering does not automatically make cats overweight or lethargic, owners should adjust food intake to match the cat's activity level.
Neutered cats also tend to fight less and roam shorter distances, lowering the risk of injuries and traffic accidents.
For female cats, not being neutered can lead to prolonged periods in heat, which increases the risk of uterine infections and tumours.
According to Zohni, cost should not be a deterrent. "Keeping a pet is expensive overall. The one-time cost of neutering should be factored in before getting a cat." – dpa
