You Should Still Spay Your Cat Even If She Won't Go Outside
When veterinarians suggest spaying an indoor cat, some cat owners shrug their shoulders and say it's not necessary because she won't get out. This sounds like a logical argument on its face. However, the fact that you plan to keep your cat inside is not really a good reason not to spay her. Indoor cats should still be spayed for the following reasons.
Cats are really adept at escaping when in heat.
If you do not spay your female cat, she will go into heat. Female cats can act like totally different creatures when in heat. If your cat is normally docile and happy to remain on the couch, she may start dedicating every ounce of her willpower towards an escape attempt when she's in heat. Cats can claw their way through screens, sneak out through vents, and more. So, while the chance of an indoor cat becoming pregnant is low, it is definitely not zero. Spaying will stop her from attempting to escape and becoming pregnant.
Cats who sneak outdoors can be injured.
If your cat does manage to sneak outside when she is in heat, pregnancy is not the only thing you have to worry about. Cats who sneak outdoors can get hit by cars, bit by other cats and wildlife, or injured by people with bad intentions. If you spay your cat, she will be less likely to escape and face these threats.
Unspayed cats are at risk for cancer.
Unfortunately, reproductive cancers like uterine cancer and ovarian cancer are pretty common in unspayed female cats. These cancers are quite painful, and they are difficult to treat. People don't often know there is anything wrong with their cat until the disease is very progressed since cats are so good at hiding their pain. If you spay your female cat, her uterus and ovaries will be removed, so she will not be able to develop cancer in those organs. Spayed female cats are also less likely to develop cancer of the mammary glands or breast tissue.
Just because you plan on keeping your cat indoors does not mean you should not have her spayed. Spaying is important for her long-term safety and health. Talk to a local vet to learn more about the spaying procedure, what it involves, and what it will cost. It is almost always the best thing to do for your cat, even if she lives inside.
For more information, contact a vet near you.