Feeling guilty for getting my cat neutered

[Sammy900]

Hey

Just wondering what other peoples views are and if I'm overthinking it or being unreasonable? I just want different opinions, experiences really so I can weigh up both sides....

Today our handsome boy cat went to the vets and was neutered and I've never felt so ethically uneasy and awful about making a decision for a pet. I feel like I've taken away his right to reproduce :(

Everyone keeps telling me it's for the best, he will be less likely to get into fights and be exposed to other illnesses from that, he won't spray around the house. We have two cats a boy and girl and they are brother and sister so it would be a whole load of wrongness later on ....

I just feel so uncomfortable about it, so much that I don't want anymore male pets now that I have to face this decision for. I love my pets and I suppose in some ways, further down the line of the argument it's unfair/restrictive to prevent anything from living a wild and free life.

I guess what I'm seeking is to weigh it all up and get my thoughts in the right frame and hopefully come to the conclusion that it WAS the best decision....any thoughts or experiences of a similar vein ? un-neutered pets that were a nightmare?

What does everyone else think?

"For me, one of the biggest arguments re breeding one's own non-pedigree litter isn't so much whether you can be sure the homes you find them will be good ones, but that if there are 6 kittens in a litter, that's 6 fewer decent homes for cats in rescues. There is currently a surplus of cats needing homes, and any more born at present will just add to that surplus."

Allergictoironing

Aaaah O.k I see what you mean...6 new kittens bred from homes = 6 less kittens rescued from a rescue, when there is a surplus - o.k yes I understand that....I can't really avoid that part of the problem

I guess I listed oppinions / viewpoints in there as I wasn't just looking at facts/evidence per se...but also throwing in the mix different beliefs too....there seem to be two major extremes regarding what people feel is right or wrong and starting from that position - despite the evidence

Thank you for your points

@Yuledo

I’m feeling guilty about having my male dog castrated. Not because I want him to have sex or puppies, but because the lack of hormones will change his little personality and he’ll be “different”.

He’s still going to be done though, but I do feel sad about it.

It makes you feel awful doesn't it :(

@Sammy900

"For me, one of the biggest arguments re breeding one's own non-pedigree litter isn't so much whether you can be sure the homes you find them will be good ones, but that if there are 6 kittens in a litter, that's 6 fewer decent homes for cats in rescues. There is currently a surplus of cats needing homes, and any more born at present will just add to that surplus."

Allergictoironing

Aaaah O.k I see what you mean...6 new kittens bred from homes = 6 less kittens rescued from a rescue, when there is a surplus - o.k yes I understand that....I can't really avoid that part of the problem

I guess I listed oppinions / viewpoints in there as I wasn't just looking at facts/evidence per se...but also throwing in the mix different beliefs too....there seem to be two major extremes regarding what people feel is right or wrong and starting from that position - despite the evidence

Thank you for your points

You can avoid the problem - don’t breed your non health tested moggie cat ‘once’.

rephrase......

I meant there's no getting away from that valid point...as in no counter argument can stand up to that specific point

and my cats have had health checks and vaccines..not sure why you are making that assumption

@Sammy900 - health checks and vaccines are all well and good (and they are good!). But ...

They don’t compare to purchasing kittens from registered breeders. They will have records of progeny/lineage etc. Depending on the breed, they will have done relevant checks for early signifiers of problems in said breed.

IF you let your girl breed - how are you going to select the King? Will you check his health records, his progeny, etc? Or is it more likely to be a case of her conceiving “naturally” by being out and about (as you seem uncomfortable with controlling their activities). Which means you will have no idea or who the father is. And you’ll be shifting potential purchasers of the kittens as you can’t provide info on both parents.

@Sammy900

and my cats have had health checks and vaccines..not sure why you are making that assumption

My cats have an annual MoT, along with their jabs. However what I haven't done (as I don't intend to breed from them and they are neutered siblings) is spend literally hundreds of pounds on having genetic tests done. We aren't talking standard health checks here, but as I noted above things like hereditary blindness (PRA), heart disease etc.

I remember my pedigree poodle breeder friend spending literally hundreds of pounds every litter any of her bitches had getting them PRA tested - except those who had both parents tested as non-carriers, and my GSD friend having every dog hip & elbow scored before considering using them for breeding. THAT is the kind of commitment anyone breeding should show.

@Allergictoironing - 100% agree.

I’m not a cat owner, hell, I’m not even a cat liker - but I find it odd that you think it’s ‘kinder’ to allow your cat to have kittens who are then presumably taken away from her? And then spay her? So she has had the experience but can’t ever again?

Like I say I know nothing about cats but I feel like if you’re going to put human feelings into it then you have to assume the cat will be upset by having her kittens AND her ability to procreate taken away.