Cat Birth Control: Why You Should Use it & Alternatives to Spaying

Being a cat owner is a lot like becoming a parent – you have to provide shelter, food, entertainment and even consider cat birth control. What measures are you taking to prepare for the day your cat becomes a parent? Just as with children, it’s essential to take precautions to ensure this happens at the right time.

Some cat owners love the idea of having litters of kittens, while others want just one cat. Either way, it’s important to use some type of birth control to either regulate when your cat has kittens or prevent it altogether.

Let’s take a look at why this is important and what methods you can use today.

Why Cat Birth Control is Essential

If you’re a cat owner and have yet to consider why cat birth control is important, then this section is for you. Let’s take a quick look at some of the reasons why you should start using some form of cat birth control:

Some of these facts are rather dismal but can be hindered with cat birth control. Let’s review how.

Quarantine as Cat Birth Control

No, quarantining isn’t just for viral diseases. You can also use it to keep your cat from getting pregnant. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to keep your cat locked up forever – however, timing is everything.

The idea is to watch when your cat is in her heat cycle (like ovulation). This can last around a week but can range anywhere between 3 and 14 days. Once her heat cycle is over, you can let her loose again.

Be wary that your cat may get rowdy during this time. She may scratch up carpets, yowl, and attempt to escape.

Cat Birth Control Injections

There’s a feline version of the Depo-Provera birth control shot females take, and like in humans, it prevents the ovulation cycle. Be aware that this type of birth control can put your cat at a higher risk for diabetes, uterine infection, and mammary tumors.

Some also gain weight due to lower activity rate and higher appetite.

Triggering Cat Ovulation

Another way to gain control over your cat’s ovulation is to trigger it. This sounds counterproductive, but it can actually work. By triggering ovulation, it can end the heat cycle by tricking their body into thinking it has conceived.

This method is used by cat breeders. They use a Teaser Tom, which is a male cat that’s had a vasectomy to mate with the female cat. No impregnation occurs because he is sterile. Yet, this tricks the female’s body into believing conception has occurred.

Ovuban Prescriptions

This is a hormonal supplement you can use to halt your cat’s heat cycle. It’s frequently used by breeders in the animal show business.

It’s a safe and effective form of cat birth control. However, long-term use can lead to a higher risk of liver disease, diabetes, uterine disease, and mammary gland cancer. Consider using it during mating season in the spring and fall to prevent impregnation.

Using Cat Birth Control

Now that you know alternative options to spaying and neutering your cat, you can make a more informed decision for birth control. As a pet parent, you want the very best for your cat.