Cats, like any living creature, feel the need for reproduction, because it is inherent in nature. Nevertheless, the pregnancy of domestic pets is not always a joyful event for their owners, as in the future this can lead to a number of problems. The main one is where to attach kittens that were born. Contraceptives for cats will help prevent this situation.
What is contraception for cats
In order to prevent unwanted pregnancy of animals, drugs that affect the hormonal background are used. Their action is aimed at relieving the pet of the desire to mate.
Today, veterinary pharmacies offer a large selection of contraceptives. As a rule, they are presented in the form of injections, tablets or drops and are aimed at preventing pregnancy.
Classification by type of exposure
Depending on the composition of contraceptives for cats are divided into two main groups:
1. Drugs high in hormones causing false pregnancy. In the case of taking such a contraceptive, the cat calms down, mistakenly believing that it continued the birth.
2. Low-dose hormonal drugs. More modern medicines that suppress the cat’s need for mating and have a sedative effect.
According to the method of taking birth control drugs are divided into funds in the form of injections, tablets or drops.
Birth control injections
To date , veterinarians often use Covinana injections as contraceptives, eliminating estrus for up to 6 months. The first injection should be given exclusively by a doctor, and all further injections can be done independently.
The drug should be administered before estrus, otherwise it will not work. Moreover, it can cause health problems. Cat contraceptive injections are highly not recommended in the event of an animal's pregnancy. Contraindications to taking "Covinan" are such serious diseases as endometritis and inflammation of the kidneys, because the introduction of the drug can lead to complications. Also, the medicine can not be used if the injection is done for the first time to a cat who has reached 5 years of age.
The advantage of contraceptives in injections is ease of use and reversibility, that is, after the end of the injection period, the cat is again ready for mating and can become pregnant. If pregnancy is undesirable, re-injection is administered.
Tablets
Contraceptives for cats in tablets come in two varieties: natural and chemical.
Natural contraceptives are based on the beneficial properties of plants and other natural ingredients. Their action, as a rule, is light and short. The contraceptives of cats tablets made on the basis of plants have a sedative effect and soothe the animal for a certain time. The advantage of such drugs is that they positively affect the cat's body and do not contain harmful components.
Chemical contraceptives in tablets affect the hormonal background. After their application, the animal finishes its love games and after a certain time calms down. The medication begins to act within a day.
Some manufacturers of tablet contraceptives recommend taking contraceptives constantly, based on the fact that such treatment will help permanently eliminate estrus. In fact, excessive intake of hormones will not only not save the pet from sexual desires, but can also provoke the development of diseases of the reproductive system in a cat.
Contraceptives in drops
Drop formulations for contraception have the same properties as tablets. They can also be of natural or chemical origin, but most often such contraceptives are made from natural ingredients. As a rule, these are a variety of herbal infusions and decoctions. The effect of taking the drops is not based on the regulation of the hormonal background, but on its imitation. They tend to imitate sexual satisfaction, so that the cat becomes calm until the next estrus. Nevertheless, the drug should be given to the animal with caution.
A contraceptive for cats (drops) is convenient to use: it’s much easier to drip an animal into the mouth than to force it to swallow a pill.
Popular contraceptives
The following contraceptives are most demanded today (for Maine Coon (cat) including):
• “Sex Barrier” - reduces arousal, protects against unwanted pregnancy and minimizes negative consequences. Available in drops and tablets.
• "Gestrenol" - have a contraceptive effect and inhibit sex drive in cats. Made in the form of tablets.
• "Stop-Intimacy" - a hormonal contraceptive in drops, which suppresses sexual arousal, delays and interrupts estrus in cats.
• "Libidomin" - blocks the onset of ovulation, inhibits the development of estrus, reduces sexual desire. Available in the form of capsules, tablets and drops.
• "Counter-sex" - removes sexual arousal. Available in tablets as well as in drops.
• "Antisex" - popular hormonal drops and tablets that reduce excitability, block ovulation and stop estrus.
Sterilization as an alternative to contraceptives
Of course, contraceptives, due to the simplicity and reliability of use, are in great demand. However, they are good to some extent. Veterinarians consider contraceptives harmful, because hormonal intervention, even in small doses, does not pass without a trace. Contraceptive drugs can cause side effects and adversely affect the health of the pet. Therefore, if the owners categorically do not accept replenishment in the cat's family, in this case the sterilization procedure will be most humane.
The advantage of this method of contraception is that it gives a permanent effect, reduces the risk of cancer in cats.
To date, there are three options for sterilization: medication, chemical and radiation.
Contraceptives for cats: which is better?
Hormonal contraceptives, according to veterinarians, are considered a very effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancy in cats. The choice of a drug should be based on a joint decision of the doctor and the owner of the animal. In addition to effectiveness, it is also important to consider the safety of the drug for the health of a pet.
It is believed that the use of certain contraceptives can cause infertility, diseases of the uterus and ovaries in cats and even cause oncology. Such pathologies do sometimes occur. In particular, this applies to cases when drugs with a high content of hormones were taken. With the right selection of the contraceptive and its dosage, all risks are minimized.
Nevertheless, the best and most reliable way to contraceptive cats is sterilization. The best time for it is the period between the first and second estrus, that is, when the animal is 8-10 months old.
Conclusion
These or other contraceptives for cats should be used after consulting with your veterinarian first. Also, these drugs are selected based on the well-being of the animal after taking them. If the owners flatly refuse to have kittens in their house, then it is better to resort to sterilization in order to maintain the health of the pet.