How to determine that it is time to castrate a kitten. Puberty in cats - age

To castrate a cat or not is the business of every owner of a fluffy pet. If the pet was in the family from a very young age, you can schedule an operation by choosing a specific age for this.

If the cat was already an adult with the new owners, was picked up on the street or taken from a shelter and the new happy owners want to protect themselves and their new pet from many troubles in the future, that is, you first need to make sure that this has not been done yet. And how to check whether the cat was castrated or not, if there is no reliable data about his former place of residence? Below are some tips on how to do this.

Examining the cat

First you need to try to determine for yourself whether the new pet is neutered or not. Verification does not present any special difficulties. If we talk about preparing for the test, then everything is simple - the cat needs to be calmed down.

Self-checking for castration of a cat can be divided into two types: visual and tactile.

Visual

This is what it looks like after surgery

Visual is a search for external signs of the operation. If the cat is young, then they should be more pronounced. The first thing to look at the condition of the coat in the genital area - if it is shorter than the rest or clearly recently shaved, this may be a sign of recent castration.

If the cat is not a "young man" this method, of course, will be irrelevant. You can examine the genital area for scars, this method, like the previous one, is only possible if castration has been carried out recently.

In many castrated cats, with age, a kind of “abdomen” appears in the scrotum area - a sagging fold of skin.

Tactile

Everything is easier with tactile. It consists in feeling the scrotal sac. Before starting, put on disposable sterile gloves. If, when palpating, solid elastic formations are felt inside, or at least one thing - the cat was not castrated, but if not, there is nothing to worry about.

Although there exists some probability of hitting a cryptorchid cat , in such animals, the testicles do not descend into the scrotum and seem to be absent. But this happens very rarely.

Alternative methods to identify "neuter"

If an independent examination did not bring firm confidence in a particular result, one should resort to an alternative method of clarification. The first thing to say is that if the cat is not taken from the street, you need to ask the former owners whether it is neutered or not.

If ordinary people may not know, then in the case of acquiring a cat from a cattery, the workers of the latter must know exactly the answer to the question of interest.

If the cat was picked up on the street, you can examine his ears . Now there are foundations and services whose volunteers find homeless animals and sterilize them, leaving a mark or hanging a clip. The mark may consist of a partial cupping of the ear or the use of a triangular incision.

Conclusion

If none of the above methods helped or is irrelevant, you should simply contact your veterinarian or the nearest veterinary clinic. The doctor will examine the cat, if necessary, do tests and say everything that the owner may be interested in at the moment. There you can also sign up for a castration operation if it turns out that this did not happen.

Many, if they want to have a pet, pay attention to cats. Just because there is much less trouble with them than with a dog (you don’t need to walk it every morning), and for those who are constantly at work, this is the best option.

Faced with the dilemma "he" or "she", the majority prefer the male sex: there will be no need to worry about when and how to shelter all future descendants of the cat. While the kitten is small, the owners carelessly play and enjoy the daily playfulness of the baby. But, here comes the moment when there is a fear that the cat will grow into an adult, and as you know, the main instincts in such a period are to mark territories and inform all cats in the area that an adult cat lives here, ready to continue offspring. How to understand that it is time to castrate a cat, what to look for and is there an alternative to this method of getting rid of undesirable consequences?

cat puberty age

Many owners of fluffy pets are interested in the question of how to determine that it is time to castrate a cat, are there certain symptoms, what features in the behavior of a cat should you pay attention to? Puberty of a cat - around the year (7 - 11 months). Since the characters of all pets are completely different, the period of full puberty may vary somewhat. So one may show a desire to continue offspring as early as 8 months, while the other will not show any signs even in a year. However, such a moment always comes unexpectedly for all the owners. Therefore, timely castration will help to avoid an unwanted surge of hormones for the cat, and sleepless nights for its owners.

Whim or vice: is it worth castrating a cat?

Since a pet becomes a full member of the family, a procedure such as castration raises a number of doubts and fears: will this not harm the mental and physical health of the cat? Existing frightening stories only exacerbate the confusion of the owners. Therefore, it is worth knowing such features as the advantages and disadvantages of castration.

Advantages of surgery:

• A neutered cat becomes balanced and calm;
• No screams in the middle of the night and in the morning;
• The pet sleeps more time;
• Wool becomes softer and brighter;
• Castration prolongs life;
• There is no risk of tumors and inflammation of the testicles and prostate.

Disadvantages of the procedure:

• It is necessary at first to carefully control everything that the pet eats;
• Limit in certain foods (fats, carbohydrates);
• It is necessary to introduce anesthesia, after which the cat may feel unwell for about 14 hours;
• The hormonal background is changing, which in turn can affect the proper production of uric acid. As a result - urolithiasis.

After weighing all the advantages and disadvantages, it is worthwhile to understand that for those who do not want to forever put up with the unpleasant and persistent odors of their beloved pet, such a procedure is the only chance to avoid undesirable consequences in the future. After such a procedure, the owners of the cat will be responsible and understand that it is now necessary to pay more attention to the correct and balanced nutrition of the cat.

Age restrictions or when it's time to castrate a cat

Determining when it is time to castrate a cat is quite simple. Due to the fact that the urge to procreate is always accompanied by a surge in hormone production, there are certain symptoms by which you can determine the need for castration of a cat:

• Refusal to eat;
• weight loss;
• Aggressiveness;
• Less sleep;
• Screams at doors and windows;
• Regular thorns with the back of the back on the jambs and sharp corners;
• Territory marking with enzymes;
• Desire to constantly slip out of the apartment or house.

The first symptoms can rarely be noticed, attributing them to illness or weather conditions (heat), however, if the cat has already begun to mark territories and scream, then it is not worth debugging a trip to the veterinarian even until the evening. After all, the persistent smell of enzymes not only smells bad, but it is also difficult to get rid of it.

If for some reason it was not possible to castrate the cat for up to a year and a half, then you should not worry. This can be done up to 3 years of age of the pet. Subsequently, such a procedure can be dangerous to the life and health of an adult cat with a formed hormonal background and habits. It is worth remembering that such a procedure is best done at an earlier age, even before the cat understands all the delights of adulthood.

A small, fluffy lump - this is exactly what a kitten looks like in the eyes of a child and many adults at the time of its acquisition. However, over time and, accordingly, the maturation of the cat, it becomes clear that it is necessary to determine the future life of this pet, namely: decide whether to castrate the animal?

Uncastrated cat: possible problems

Perhaps in the first year of your cat's life, the question of whether to castrate him will not arise sharply, but with the advent of the first spring, you will increasingly begin to think about this issue. Most often, cats that are rarely on the street, it does not matter, voluntarily or at the whim of their owners, start marking territory. Most often, pets do not even care where to do it. Both ordinary slippers and an expensive sofa can be completely spoiled.

It is noteworthy that cats, unlike cats, are more importunate in their desires. So, a caring owner, seeing how his pet is suffering, is likely to offer the cat:

• go outside and find a cat there on your own;
• bring a couple to the house or send them on a date.

In the case when the first option does not work, the second also cannot always fully satisfy you. Often it is not enough for cats to enjoy one meeting, and they continue to behave indecently. In addition, in most cases, in addition to marking the territory, animals vocalize songs loudly. It is at such moments that the question of whether to castrate an animal becomes particularly acute.

The question often arises before the owners: should they castrate or sterilize their cat? Veterinarians have their own opinion on this matter. Castration is an operation., in which an incision is made on the scrotum and the testes of the animal are completely removed. Sterilization is simply the tying of the spermatic cords. In the latter case, the animal endures the whole process more easily, however, if the goal of the owner is to make sure that the animal does not mark and does not scream, this option should be excluded. After sterilization, the cat will not be able to have offspring, but all his bad habits will remain.

If you have a cat, veterinarians advise choosing castration. The operation is more difficult, but after it everyone will be satisfied. Castrating a cat is more dangerous, as there is a risk of complications.

Experts say that there is only a small period of time when castration is desirable. This is the age of the cat from 7 months to 7 years. There is one more nuance: sometimes the age depends on the breed. Some cats reach the age of puberty much later than their relatives.

Some owners doubt to the last and hope that the pills and drops, which, as they say, should relieve arousal, will work. But, in the vast majority of cases, in the end, they still decide to castrate their house cats.

How to prepare for surgery

Any veterinarian will tell you what to do. necessary before the first "mating" of the animal. Otherwise, the cat will still have a slight desire, because the pituitary gland continues to produce sex hormones, and your pet already remembers exactly how it was and from time to time will want to continue.

When choosing a place where the animal will be operated on, you should still give preference to veterinary clinics. Despite the fact that the procedure will take about 30 minutes, it is better to do it in special conditions. It is also important to stay a loved one in the first hours after the procedure.

The following tips will help:

It is important to understand that if an animal is castrated, its behavior can be a bit unpredictable. Some cats begin to lead their usual lifestyle after a few days, while others become ill. And it doesn't matter what health your pet has, there is an opinion that this happens due to psychological discomfort.

Before deciding on castration, it is important to know that it is undesirable to carry out this operation on animals that constantly walk freely along the street. Remember that habits, despite the procedure, he will most likely still remain. In the first days after the procedure, he will already want to walk in the company of cats. It is unlikely that the owners will be able to keep them from going out, and outside the home territory it is too high risk of catching an infection because the wound hasn't healed yet. And in the future, the cat will have a hard time.

Everyone chooses the option that suits him best. In any case, it is worth evaluating all the pros and cons, and only then decide on such an important step.

Can you understand that a cat asks for a cat if you have no experience? Do not even hesitate - you can, because the "symptoms" are unambiguous.

Puberty of a cat begins at about four months of age. Depending on the size, breed, quality of care and living environment, a cat can grow up to 15-18 months. The process of puberty consists of several stages.

In a newborn male kitten, incomplete descent of the testicles into the scrotum is considered normal. The formation of external genital organs occurs up to 4–5 months, after which a constant hormonal background begins to be established in the animal's body.

In males, testosterone predominates in the hormonal background, which is the culprit of the vivid manifestation of sexual hunting.

As soon as the cat enters sexual hunting, the owner notices clear behavioral changes. We note right away that if you do not want to face problems in the behavior of a pet and acquire kittens, a cat is better.

Important! Even if you live in the private sector, constant fights for the right to mate is dangerous for the life and health of the pet.

It remains active, retains hunting skills, but almost does not leave its own territory. After castration, the cat does not obey sexual instincts, is more focused on its own safety and becomes more affectionate towards the owner.

In addition, timely castration guarantees the absence of health problems that are characteristic of non-neutered cats:

• Testicular tumors.
• Some types of oncology.

Note! Castration is the removal of a cat's testicles and a cat's ovaries and uterus.

The active phase of sexual hunting of males begins in spring. In the mammalian brain there is a special section - the pineal gland. This gland is responsible for the production of a unique amino acid - melatonin. Melatonin is produced only at night, and its level inhibits the production of sex hormones.

In the spring, when daylight hours increase, melatonin production decreases. According to the law of nature, any voids must be filled. Decreased melatonin production stimulates the cat's hypothalamus to produce additional testosterone in cats and estrogen in cats. That is why the so-called feline buns begin in the spring, when stray animals begin to scream and arrange mating games.

Signs that a cat wants a cat

How to determine that a cat wants a cat? With the onset of puberty, cats change, become more courageous and strong. The growth of the skeleton, the increase in the skull and the acquisition of more rigid features are due to the constantly rising level of testosterone.

The first signs of sexual hunting are increased attention to smells.

Note! You may notice that the cat has begun scratching door and window openings - this is one of the ways to leave marks on the territory.

All domestic cats live in unnatural conditions because they cannot mate on instinct. A young, healthy, sexually mature cat can mate up to 10 times a day. That is why, even if there is one cat, all sexually mature females in the territory accessible to him will be fertilized during estrus.

When a cat is locked in four walls, his sexual desire is constantly pumped up. To attract females, the pet begins to scream loudly and strenuously territory.

Marks with the help of glands, which are located between the fingers and on the face of the animal, are ineffective, because they are not attracted to the dwelling of females. Being under constant hormonal pressure, the cat begins to mark the territory with urine, and sometimes with feces.

Note! It is important not to confuse marks and ignoring the tray. When a cat marks, it approaches a vertical surface, turns its back, lifts its tail, and sprays the surface with a stream of urine.

Particular attention should be paid to the smell. When a cat empties its bladder in the litter box, the smell of urine is strong but not pungent. The tags have a very sharp, strong odor that is difficult to remove.

The next way a cat demonstrates its sexual activity is by leaving marks on the owner's personal belongings. Sooner or later, the pet will realize that there are females outside the home. To convey his messages to hypothetical mating partners, the cat will begin to mark the owner's shoes and belongings.

Note! It should be borne in mind that the sense of smell of cats is much sharper than that of humans. When the windows are open in the dwelling, and nearby there are cats that have entered into a state of sexual hunting, the male feels them.

The pet will not deprive the "attention" of the guests, especially if they have pets. Shoes are at particular risk because they retain the smell of sweat. During the active phase, cats can become aggressive and fiercely protect the territory, especially from male animals.

Why does a neutered cat ask for a cat?

Some owners are faced with an unpleasant surprise - a neutered cat continues to call the cat and mark the territory, what is the reason?

To save yourself from problems with marks, and your pet from, it must be castrated before entering the active phase of sexual hunting. varies from 7 to 9 months.

Note! The larger the cat, the sooner it is castrated.

Neutering before the cat starts marking has a greater chance of fixing problems in the future. Urine markings are instinctive, but quickly become a habit. There are cases when castrated cats did not mark the territory, but imitated this process.

After castration, it takes from 3 to 12 months to balance the hormonal levels. The earlier the cat is castrated, the sooner its hormonal background will become “smooth”. Depending on heredity, after the initial balancing of the hormonal background, the cat will experience:

• Equal levels of estrogen and testosterone.
• The predominance of testosterone.
• Estrogen predominance.

If testosterone predominates in a cat, he continues to behave in a brightly masculine manner: fight, mark, call a cat, etc. If estrogen outweighs, the cat becomes more affectionate, playful and accommodating.

Normally, 6–12 months after castration, hormone levels will become equal, which will be expressed by the following signs:

• Urine will lose its strong odor.
• The cat will stop marking territory with urine and feces.
• The cat will more violently control and protect the territory from strangers.
• For other cats and cats, your pet will become uninteresting as a sexual object - there will be no fights with males, screams to invite cats, etc.
• The pet will become more playful, since energy is not spent on finding a sexual partner.
• if his diet is not balanced.

Are there cats that do not tag even if they are not neutered? Oddly enough, yes. Some breeds of cats that have been professionally bred for decades inherit a special gene that makes the male unwilling to mark territory with urine.

It is important to understand that genetic inheritance in this case is transmitted from father to son. However, even if your cat's father and grandfather did not mark the territory, this does not give you (as a potential kitten owner) any guarantees.

Kittens enter puberty at seven to nine months of age. But depending on the conditions of detention, the characteristics of the breed and external factors, puberty in cats may occur earlier or later.

Factors affecting puberty

Cats and cats reach puberty at different ages. in cats it comes later than in cats, which matures with the first estrus, starting at 5-6 months. But the timing of puberty can vary. It depends on certain factors:

1. Belonging to the breed. Representatives of oriental breeds: Siamese, Thais, Orientals, Burmese and - belong to the category of early maturity.
2. The structure of the skeleton. Cats and cats of graceful build with thin bones enter earlier than their powerful counterparts.
3. Seasons. Kittens born in winter or spring enter puberty in spring or summer, and in later litters, sexual maturity is delayed.
4. Conditions of detention. Compliance with the regimen and quality of feeding, as well as comfort and convenience, accelerate the growing up of a pet.
5. Features of the habitat. Surrounded by adults (in a nursery or pride), young felines mature earlier than their peers from city apartments.
6. genetic predisposition.

When overfeeding a pet and being overweight, puberty in cats is delayed and can occur by one and a half or two years.

Manifestations of puberty

Behavior at the onset of puberty in cats and cats varies. In females, this period is accompanied by secretions from the genitals - estrus. External signs of approaching estrus are manifested in an increased desire to fawn, rub against legs and furniture, and when attacked, the cat's behavior becomes more defiant: it begins to meow invitingly, rolls on the floor, and takes its tail to the side, demonstrating sexual desire.

Puberty in cats is accompanied by more aggressive behavior. The mustachioed begins to meow loudly, attracting females, marking the territory, and his urine during this period has a sharp, unpleasant odor. The nature of the cat is also changing - it can peel off furniture and walls, show increased playfulness, and its games are similar to scenes of hunting for a victim.

With the onset of puberty of the animal, the owner must decide whether he wants offspring or not. If the owner is aimed at breeding cats, then you need to find out if the pet has breeding value and select a candidate for mating. All events can be held in clubs of cat lovers or take advice from a trusted cattery or from an experienced breeder. And it should also be understood that puberty and the physiological maturity of a pet differ in terms: the latter comes closer to the age of one.

If no one is going to knit a cat or a cat, then castration or sterilization would be the right decision. This will be more humane to the animal and safer than drug regulation of estrus.

The best time to knit

Everyone has heard how the March cats begin to sing with the beginning of spring, but not everyone thinks about why this happens. But the fact is that March is the best time to conceive future offspring, and it is at this time that sex hormones begin to rage, because all summer and autumn are ahead for the successful feeding of babies: the weather is warm, you do not need to go far for food and leave the cubs unattended for a long time. Although in the conditions of the city, March cats can continue to sing both in summer and in autumn, because it is warm and cozy in the basements, and there is enough food in the garbage chutes to live on.

The intensity and loudness of the cries of cats during the mating period directly depends on the number of rivals in a given territory. The more competitors, the more heart-rendingly the mustaches meow, hiss and growl, proving their superiority over the ladies and trying to win back the territory from rivals. Such duels can go on for days, which cannot but irritate the apartment dwellers. And when cats find their cats and can satisfy the need to mate, then the screams stop.

Causes of cat screams

At home, cats do not have the opportunity to mate freely and there is an accumulation of testosterone (male sex hormone), the excess of which leads to rutting - the cat yells at night, becomes aggressive, marks corners and desperately tries to find a cat for mating, and therefore screams, not giving rest for the owners.

If a cat and a cat live in the same apartment, have reached childbearing age and can mate, or the cat is spayed and the cat is neutered, and the night cries continue, then the owners should visit the veterinarian. Cat screams can be caused by hepatic or renal colic, which is accompanied by urolithiasis. The development of the disease contributes to an unbalanced diet, as a result of which stones form in the genitourinary canals. And when an adult cat goes to the tray when needed, he feels a sharp cutting pain and starts screaming heart-rendingly.

Ways to prevent cat cry

If the cat is healthy and lives alone in the apartment, then cat cries can be prevented by following the advice of experienced breeders:

• castrate a pet - in the absence of testicles, testosterone is not produced, which means there is no sexual hunting;
• tie a cat with a cat;
• give your pet more physical activity;
• do not let sleep during the day - this suppresses the instincts of a nocturnal predator;
• arrange active games with the cat so that he sleeps at night like a baby;
• monitor the nutrition of the pet - the cat must receive selected foods and meat so as not to feel a deficiency of nutrients. The mustachioed begins to be lazy, and the hunting instincts are dulled.

Some cats are talking breeds and will require communication. Do not ignore such conversations, and then the animal will be more calm and satisfied. If the option of obtaining offspring is considered, then you should have a pair of pets. A cat and a cat in the same apartment will not let each other get bored and will save the owner from heart-rending screams during the festivities.

If reproduction is not included in the plans of the owner, then you need to think about castration.

Castration and indications for surgery

To castrate a cat means to deprive him of the gonads, that is, to completely remove the testicles through surgical intervention. Together with the gonads, the cat loses the ability to reproduce offspring, testosterone stops being produced.

The best time for castration of a cat is its sexual maturity and readiness for reproduction - from eight months to one and a half years. The readiness of a cat for mating can be determined by the smell, because during this period the animal begins to mark the territory. The operation itself is quite simple, does not threaten the pet's health and does not require special postoperative care. But before the procedure, you should decide where to castrate the cat, undergo an examination and pass the necessary tests, including the tolerability of anesthesia.

You can castrate a cat for several reasons:

1. Medical indications - for injuries, pathologies, orchitis.
2. Reduced aggressiveness during sexual hunting.
3. To eliminate or prevent an unpleasant smell from a cat in an apartment, because a cat deprived of sex glands will not mark the territory.

Experts recommend castrating those cats that will live in city apartments and will not be able to walk on the street and satisfy their sexual needs. Often this applies to thoroughbred animals from which they do not plan to have offspring. This procedure will help the owners avoid the consequences of a riot of hormones: the appearance of shoots and pet attacks. It is also useful for the animal itself: the cat will not suffer from unsatisfied sexual desire and will avoid the development of prostatitis, prostate tumors and adenomas of the prianal glands.

If the cat has the opportunity to move freely and satisfy its needs, then castration is undesirable, because the animal becomes passive and will not be able to fully defend itself. And this can lead to injuries from yard relatives during walks.

Location of the operation

You can castrate a pet both in a veterinary clinic and at home. The second option is more preferable, because the animal will avoid additional stress from transportation and contact with sick animals.

It is important that the veterinarian has experience in carrying out such operations and a set of necessary tools. Do not trust unqualified specialists - such a step can adversely affect the health of the pet or lead to his death.

If a castration service at home is not available, then you should contact the clinic.

Maintenance and nutrition of the cat after surgery

Within two days after the procedure, the animal needs to create the most comfortable conditions. It should be identified in a warm safe place and lay a soft bedding. It is not necessary to place the rookery on a hill, because after anesthesia the animal's coordination of movements is disturbed and the cat may fall and be injured.

As for feeding, it is forbidden to feed the animal twelve hours before the operation and a day after the procedure. Starting from the second day, they begin to give the pet food in small portions.

It should also be borne in mind that there is a tendency to obesity and the development of urolithiasis, so animals should not be overfed and limited in fresh water. The best option would be to use balanced

Similar actions are permissible in relation to cats - they can also be sterilized, that is, deprive of childbearing function. But when making such decisions, it is necessary to think through everything carefully, because it will be impossible to correct the situation.