convincing friends to spay

beccory · Aug 3, 2006

I'm not sure this is the right forum, but here goes.

My (not very close) friend owns a cat, she's about a year old, maybe a bit older. She's unspayed. We live in on the edge of the city of St Paul, so there are a lot of strays and ferals around. While my friend's cat is an inside cat, I'm petrified that she's going to get out and get pregnant. She's been in heat twice already since my ex-roommate moved in with this friend on the first of July.
Not only is this a problem for her health, but it's getting on all of my friend's roommates' nerves! He says he doesn't want to get her spayed because her temperment would change- I haven't heard of this being a big problem- but he's fine with the idea of getting her declawed, which is not for her health at all, only for his convinience. His roommates are even offering to help pay for the spay.
He's also just not a very caring pet owner- doesn't clean her litterbox, is never home, doesn't keep her water dish full- but this spaying thing is really worrying me.
Is there any way I could convince him that this needs to get done? I want to tell him, if the cost is bothering him, think of the cost of raising 7 or 8 kittens... but I'm really worried about this poor kitty's health.
Or is this even my business?

ocicat_steph · Aug 3, 2006

Originally Posted by Beccory

I'm not sure this is the right forum, but here goes.

My (not very close) friend owns a cat, she's about a year old, maybe a bit older. She's unspayed. We live in on the edge of the city of St Paul, so there are a lot of strays and ferals around. While my friend's cat is an inside cat, I'm petrified that she's going to get out and get pregnant. She's been in heat twice already since my ex-roommate moved in with this friend on the first of July.
Not only is this a problem for her health, but it's getting on all of my friend's roommates' nerves! He says he doesn't want to get her spayed because her temperment would change- I haven't heard of this being a big problem- but he's fine with the idea of getting her declawed, which is not for her health at all, only for his convinience. His roommates are even offering to help pay for the spay.
He's also just not a very caring pet owner- doesn't clean her litterbox, is never home, doesn't keep her water dish full- but this spaying thing is really worrying me.
Is there any way I could convince him that this needs to get done? I want to tell him, if the cost is bothering him, think of the cost of raising 7 or 8 kittens... but I'm really worried about this poor kitty's health.
Or is this even my business?

if he's worried about temperment. her temperment will actually get better and much more loving once she is spayed.
If you feel this cat is in danger by not being cared for you could report him to the ASPCA. If it's the cost he's worried about and just making excuses so it doesn't look like it's the cost that bothers him. maybe offer to help pay for it or call the local vets and find out if he can get a spay certificate. i know in Georgia where i'm originally from they do spay and neuter discount certificates.

les0304 · Aug 3, 2006

Spaying won't change her temperment, plus she is still young, so once she healed from the surgery she should be back to her old self. Like the other poster said, she may even be more affectionate (not the same affection she's looking for while in heat.

)

And, like you mentioned, if she had a chance to sneak out the chances of her getting pregnant are pretty high.

Also, unspayed cats are at an extremely high risk for developing mammary cancer, false pregnancies, and pyometras (which would require an emergency spay and can be life threatning).

If he's worried about her temperment changing, a declaw is more likely to cause one compared to a spay.

Good luck!

katiemae1277 · Aug 3, 2006

Originally Posted by Les0304

If he's worried about her temperment changing, a declaw is more likely to cause one compared to a spay.

So very true!! Yeah I don't think he's worried about the money either, as I'm sure a declaw costs more than a spay. I would ask him what about her personality does he think is going to change? the howling? I have also heard that after a female is spayed they become more loving and affectionate

white cat lover · Aug 3, 2006

I can say from seeing it with my own eyes...a spay can greatly affect temperament. BUT the cats in question were all not so friendly to start with, & once spayed, became sweeties!

I'm sure the shelters in the cities are as full as the ones down here(southern MN), so just take him in there & show him all the unwanted cats & kittens. If he doesn't spay her, will those kittens end up here or be killed?

beckiboo · Aug 3, 2006

As white cat lover said, sometimes cats become more pleasant after being spayed. I have not heard of one being less friendly! I am against declawing...but I think even the people who think it is ok to declaw realize it is best done on a young kitten. Once a cat is over 6 months, it becomes even more traumatic to lose the claws!

You are not butting in to say something. You are offering education. Best of luck!

ocicat_steph · Aug 3, 2006

Originally Posted by Les0304

Spaying won't change her temperment, plus she is still young, so once she healed from the surgery she should be back to her old self. Like the other poster said, she may even be more affectionate (not the same affection she's looking for while in heat.

)

And, like you mentioned, if she had a chance to sneak out the chances of her getting pregnant are pretty high.

Also, unspayed cats are at an extremely high risk for developing mammary cancer, false pregnancies, and pyometras (which would require an emergency spay and can be life threatning).

If he's worried about her temperment changing, a declaw is more likely to cause one compared to a spay.

Good luck!

not sure if you ment to but you just contradicted yourself.

actually with all my queens that have been spayed (18 in total) in my life, all of them had a temperment change. they all became much more cuddly, played more, very attached and very social. as mentioned above there are many life threatening and very expensive complications with having an un spayed cat. hope our ideas and comments can help. maybe even pass this thread along to your friend to read and see how concerned you are! honesty i think is the best sometimes. i think he would respect you for that!

goldenkitty45 · Aug 3, 2006

Tell him that if the cat remains unspayed and constantly in heat that he increases the cancer risk to almost certainity. Its HEALTHY to spay a cat. And yes her personality will change - for the better!

Also a spayed cat lives a lot longer then one not spayed. It would cost about $100 to spay - tell him that saving $25 a week for 4 weeks will cover the cost.

convincing friends to spay

beccory

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ocicat_steph

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les0304

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katiemae1277

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white cat lover

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beckiboo

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ocicat_steph

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goldenkitty45

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