Cats are designed to produced a large number of kittens in a short period of time. A female will begin to cycle early in the year, usually somewhere during the months of January and February. Female cats may only complete their cycle by becoming pregnant. In other words, until a cat mates, they will remain in estrus or heat. Once they become pregnant, they will deliver their babies in about 60 days. Between 2-6 weeks after delivery, they will cycle and become pregnant again even while nursing kittens. Some cats will produce as many as four litters or more a year. The average litter is four kittens. Therefore, a cat may produce as many as 16 kittens or more each year. It does not require a math degree to see how quickly you may be overrun with cats. A female may reach maturity and mate as early as eighteen weeks of age.

Simply from the standpoint of cat population control, every cat needs to be spayed at a young age. A spay is the surgical procedure in the female cat where the reproductive tract is removed. The procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus, eliminating the estrus cycle completely. We generally recommend surgery at 4 months of age.

Would you like to see a video of the procedure your cat will undergo? The video has been edited for the sake of time so you will be watching all the main points but will not be watching the entirety of the time consuming elements such as suturing. Enjoy.