Cats, like any living creature, have a need to reproduce, because this is inherent in nature. However, the pregnancy of pets is not always a joyful event for their owners, since in the future this can result in a number of problems. The main one is where to place the kittens that are born. Contraceptives for cats will help prevent this situation.
Classification by type of impact
Depending on the composition, contraceptives for cats are divided into two main groups:
1. Drugs with a high content of hormones that cause false pregnancy. If such a contraceptive is taken, the cat calms down, mistakenly believing that it has continued the race.
2. Low-dose hormonal drugs. More modern medications that suppress the cat's need to mate and have a sedative effect.
According to the method of administration, contraceptive drugs are divided into drugs in the form of injections, tablets or drops.
How to relieve a cat's condition without drugs?
Despite all the advantages of these drugs, they can harm your pet. How can you help her without using medications and relieve your household from constant cat screams?
Owners should know that during this period they cannot shout at the animal, lock it in a closed room, or even beat it. This will cause psychological trauma to your pet. If your plans do not include mating your cat, then the best option is sterilization. In this case, you will protect the animal from many serious risks: cancer of the genital organs and mammary glands, inflammation of the genitourinary system, diabetes, kidney inflammation and other dangerous ailments.
There are several ways to ease estrus without sterilization and medications:
- Give your cat a warm bath. This will calm the animal for several hours: it will carefully lick its fur, which will slightly reduce stress and tension.
- Feed your cat in small portions during this period. This will improve digestion and significantly improve the physical condition of the animal.
- Show care and affection, do not ignore the cat. Stroke her on the head, but do not touch her back or rump, as this may provoke more sexual activity.
- Get your cat interested in some object, a new toy. This will distract her a little. Try not to let your pet sleep during the day. It is not always possible to monitor this, but at night the cat will be calmer if you tire it during the day.
Contraceptive injections
Today, veterinarians often use Covinan 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 the onset of estrus, otherwise it will not work. Moreover, it can cause health problems. Contraceptive injections for cats are highly not recommended if the animal is pregnant. Contraindications to taking Covinan are such severe diseases as endometritis and kidney inflammation, because the administration of the drug can lead to complications. Also, the medicine cannot be used if the injection is given for the first time to a cat that has reached 5 years of age.
The advantage of injectable contraceptives is their 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, a second injection is given.
How often does heat occur?
The duration of breaks between estrus (interestrus) depends on the individual characteristics of the cat’s body, breed, and conditions of detention.
Typically, the peak of sexual activity in cats occurs in autumn - spring. This is explained by the dependence of reproductive functions on the length of daylight hours and ambient temperature. Pets always live in comfortable conditions; their sexual activity can be at a high level all year round.
Be sure to read:
Mating males and females: features, age, how to determine readiness, first mating, recommendations
Standard estrus frequency for a cat that:
- gave birth to kittens once - once every 3 months;
- constantly gives birth - 5-6 months;
- in young cats that have never given birth - with breaks of 1-2 weeks.
The principle applies: the older the female, the less often she estruses.
Pills
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 effect is usually mild and short-lived. Contraceptive tablets for cats, made from plants, have a sedative effect and calm the animal for a certain time. The advantage of such medicines is that they have a positive effect on the cat’s body and do not contain harmful components.
Chemical contraceptives in tablets affect hormonal levels. After their use, the animal ends its love games and after a certain time calms down. The medication begins to act within 24 hours.
Some manufacturers of contraceptive pills recommend taking birth control continuously, based on the belief that such treatment will help eliminate estrus permanently. In fact, excessive intake of hormones will not only not save your pet from sexual desires, but can also provoke the development of diseases of the reproductive system in the cat.
Traditional methods of calming down during estrus
If it so happens that the cat is in heat, about which she notified her owner with a heart-rending cry, and there is no medicine at hand and no way to get it, you can use various folk methods. These methods are safe and give good results, albeit short-term. Therefore, they are used as an emergency measure. Recipes for calming a cat:
- Give your pet a decoction based on medicinal herbs that have a sedative effect. To prepare a decoction, you can use chamomile, mint or linden. Prepare a decoction according to one recipe - 1 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over the crushed, pre-dried ingredient and leave the drink to steep until it cools, strain. You can give the decoction to your cat in its pure form or add it to food or water. It is especially effective to pour the decoction into the animal’s mouth at night; the soothing effect of the herbs will help the cat fall asleep.
- When the cat begins to have another attack of strong screaming, you can dip its butt in cool water and hold it in it for several minutes. Albeit not for long, but this measure will help calm down the wandering murka.
- You can bathe your cat in the shower. After the water procedure, your pet will be busy only licking its fur for 4-5 hours and will simply not have time to meow. It is best to carry out the water procedure late in the evening, then the owners will have the opportunity to get a good night's sleep.
- A weak solution of vinegar is an effective, proven way to calm a walking cat to rest for a while. Dilute the vinegar with water to make a slightly sour-tasting liquid, and pour a small amount into the animal’s mouth.
- To distract your cat from her heat, you can apply a small amount of butter to her face. As with the shower, the animal will be busy cleaning itself up for a long time afterward.
- You can calm your pet with a drink of milk and soda. There should be a little soda: no more than on the tip of a knife.
- If a cat keeps you awake all night with its heart-rending screams, it is recommended that you forcefully pour 50 g of vodka into its mouth in the evening. An intoxicated and calm animal will sleep all night.
- For a day, a walking animal will be calmed by this recipe - crush ¼ tablet of Diphenhydramine and a whole tablet of valerian, mix the powders together and give to the cat. You can add a mixture of crushed drugs to food.
- Another way to distract an animal in pain is to give a closed jar of valerian; such a toy will amuse the cat for a long time.
- Experienced cat owners recommend putting a copper plate in a bowl of water; it should lie in the water until the estrus period passes.
There are plenty of ways to calm a screaming pet during heat. Each owner can choose the most suitable and acceptable option for himself. During the period of heat, it is important to give the cat maximum attention, constantly walk with her, play, and frolic. The more exhausted a cat is from outdoor games during the evening, the better she will sleep, and with her, her owners will be able to relax in silence.
Contraceptives in drops
Contraceptive drugs in the form of drops 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 drops is not based on the regulation of hormonal levels, but on its imitation. They have the ability to imitate sexual satisfaction, which makes the cat calm until the next heat. However, the drug should be given to animals with caution.
Contraceptive for cats (drops) is easy to use: it is much easier to drop the product into the animal’s mouth than to force it to swallow a pill.
The effect of contraceptives on the body
Drops for cats from partying, tablets, anti-sex
When faced for the first time with the question of what to do to prevent a cat from becoming pregnant, some breeders begin to make mistakes because they do not know how this or that remedy works.
People who do not have veterinary education pay attention to the so-called “natural” contraceptives for cats. However, such herbal remedies do not have the effect of regulating sexual desires in an animal and are not able to prevent accidental conception. They only help stabilize the pet’s mental state, reducing its nervous excitement. In case of sexual intercourse, they will not have any contraceptive effect. In addition, the effect of them is achieved only after a long course of administration.
Synthetic or chemical drugs come in two varieties:
- monohormonal, which contains only one hormone;
- bihormonal, they contain two hormones at once.
Monohormonal drugs that contain megestrol acetate have the desired effect only at high concentrations, which can negatively affect the animal. Bihormonal ones contain two hormones or analogues of animal hormones, due to which their concentration in the preparations is lower and the pet’s hormonal background is regulated more delicately.
Cat in heat
Important! Drugs from both groups, acting on the cat’s body, change hormonal levels, as a result of which the cat loses the ability to become pregnant due to lack of ovulation.
Popular contraceptives
The most popular today are the following contraceptives (for Maine Coon (cats) as well):
• “Sex barrier” - reduces arousal, protects against unwanted pregnancy and minimizes negative consequences. Available in drops and tablets.
• "Gestrenol" - have a contraceptive effect and inhibit sexual desire in cats. Produced in tablet form.
• “Stop-Intim” is a hormonal contraceptive in drops that suppresses sexual arousal, delays and interrupts estrus in cats.
• “Libidomin” - blocks the onset of ovulation, inhibits the development of estrus, reduces libido. Available in the form of capsules, tablets and drops.
• “Counter-sex” – relieves sexual arousal. Can be purchased both in tablets and drops.
• “Antisex” - popular hormonal drops and tablets that reduce excitability, block ovulation and stop estrus.
To sterilize or not?
Sterilizing a cat is a cardinal method of solving a problem.
Sterilizing a cat is a cardinal method of solving a problem. Before you decide to have surgery, you need to think it over carefully. Doctors recommend that the procedure be carried out as early as possible for the health of the pet. A cat at a young age tolerates anesthesia more easily.
But the owner must remember that the operation changes the pet’s body irrevocably. This means that if you want to get offspring, there will be no opportunity for this.
At the same time, long-term abstinence for a cat is severe stress, which, in addition to nervous disorders, also leads to diseases of the reproductive organs. An unsterilized cat often suffers from ovarian cysts, purulent inflammation of the uterus, hormonal disorders, and tumors of the mammary glands.
Professional veterinary specialists agree that if you do not want to produce offspring from a cat in the future, then it is better to sterilize your pet . This will relieve the animal from stress during the hunting period, and will bring relief to the owner.
Be sure to read:
How to distinguish a male kitten from a girl: a newborn, in the first days of life
Pros and cons of sterilization
Compared to other methods of controlling feline sexual activity, neutering has both advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of sterilization:
- Solving the problem once and for all. This is actually a disadvantage too, since at one moment the owner may regret that the animal is not able to become pregnant.
- Efficiency 100%. Drops and tablets, even hormonal ones, may not work. It's very individual. The operation will give the desired result, without a doubt.
- The operation is safe. It is performed through a small incision on the side of the torso.
But the operation also has disadvantages:
- It takes time to recover. This is an abdominal operation that is performed under general anesthesia. After it, the cat may feel unwell for some time and be lethargic. The animal should not be fed for several hours before surgery.
- The operation costs money. Some owners find it cheaper to purchase drops or tablets once a month.
- Inability to obtain desired offspring in the future.
- Irreversible changes in the cat's body. Hormonal changes can cause your pet to become lethargic, less mobile, and have a tendency to gain weight. By organizing proper nutrition, the risks of disease are significantly reduced.
If your pet is fed prepared specialized food, then after sterilization you should purchase food for sterilized cats.
Sterilization as an alternative to contraceptives
Of course, contraceptive drugs, due to their ease and reliability of use, are in great demand. However, they are good to a certain extent. Veterinarians consider contraceptives harmful, because hormonal intervention, even in small doses, does not go away without leaving a trace. Contraceptive medications can cause side effects and negatively impact your pet's health. Therefore, if the owners categorically do not accept a new addition to the cat family, then the most humane option would be to carry out the sterilization procedure.
The advantage of this method of contraception is that it provides a permanent effect and reduces the risk of developing cancer in cats.
Today, there are three options for sterilization: medication, chemical and radiation.
Signs of estrus in cats
People around him and the cat itself suffer from unsatisfied natural needs of the body.
An inexperienced owner may not immediately understand that his pet has gone into heat.
A number of signs confirm this condition:
- Swollen genitals, clear fluid oozing.
- Reducing the time between urinations.
- Constant meowing, the cat instinctively calls for a male.
- Loss of appetite.
- The desire to run out of the house. Owners must keep windows and doors closed.
- Change in emotional state: increased affection (the animal caresses people, rubs against furniture) or uncontrollable aggressiveness (scratches, bites).
- Typical movements: arching the back, stomping with the hind legs, pressing the tail to the side.
After making sure that the cat is going through a period of sexual activity, you should take measures to alleviate the pet’s condition.
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 particular drug should be made on the basis of a joint decision between the doctor and the animal owner. In addition to effectiveness, it is also important to consider the safety of the drug for the health of your pet.
There is an opinion that the use of certain contraceptives can cause infertility, diseases of the uterus and ovaries in cats, and even cause cancer. Such pathologies do sometimes occur. In particular, this applies to cases where drugs with a high content of hormones were taken. With the correct selection of a contraceptive and its dosage, all risks are minimized.
However, the best and most reliable method of cat contraception is sterilization. The best time to carry it out is the period between the first and second estrus, that is, when the animal is 8-10 months old.
Popular drugs and their effects
You can determine what is best for your pet only through personal experience, after consultation with a veterinarian. Below are the names of the most popular products.
Depo-Provera (Depo-Promon)
Deworming tablets for cats: anthelmintic drugs
The contraceptive drug is of synthetic origin. The composition contains medroxyprogesterone, an analogue of the hormone progesterone. The drug is available in tablet form or in a syringe with a suspension ready for administration.
Depo-Provera is used if it is necessary to prevent estrus and ovulation one-time, or regularly. It can also be used for animals with tube ligations. If the drug is administered by injection, it is used as a long-acting contraceptive for cats.
The dosage is selected individually for each cat, and the injection can only be given by a veterinarian in a clinic setting.
Important! The drug has serious contraindications, which include oncological pathologies, allergic reactions, bleeding.
Acetobumedone
The action of drugs that contain acetobumedone is aimed at regulating sexual heat and preventing unwanted pregnancy in cats. The active substance blocks areas in the brain responsible for the production of follicle-stimulating and latinizing hormones, which affect egg maturation and ovulation.
Such drugs have a gentle effect on the hormonal system of the cat’s body, helping to avoid unwanted pregnancy. You just have to stop using the drug, and after 3 months the animal’s reproductive capabilities are restored.
Important! Under no circumstances should you give your cat medications containing acetobumedone intended for cats.
Cowinan
Prolygestone, which is part of it, is a steroid hormone that disrupts the maturation of follicles in the ovary and prevents the development of estrus. This hormone promotes changes in the mucous membrane of the uterus, making it more viscous, which is why the fertilized egg cannot implant in the cavity of the organ. The functions of the mammary glands are also suppressed.
Important! After discontinuation of the drug, the concentration of the hormone gradually decreases and the animal’s cycle is restored. The hormone is excreted from the body in feces and a small part in urine.
Ethinyl estradiol
The drug is an artificial estrogen, a derivative of estradiol. The hormone, acting on the body, reduces the secretion of sex hormones from the pituitary gland.
Thus, in females, the maturation of the egg is inhibited in the body and the cervical mucus thickens, which makes the penetration of sperm into the uterus difficult. The drug prevents the complete restoration of the uterine mucosa and the implantation of a fertilized egg.
The hormone is easily absorbed and excreted from the body within two days. The animal's reproductive function is restored 4 months after the last dose.
Reviews
Many cat owners are also interested in reviews from those who have already given their pets “Contrasex”.
Daria writes: “I started giving the cat “contrasex” during the March spree. It feels like cats have started to avoid her.
Julia responded positively; she bought the drug for a long period - 2 years. The cat responded well to Contrasex, no side effects were identified.
Margarita advises “not to torture the animal, sterilization will get rid of spree, and “contrasex” can lead to both cancer and purulent formations in the uterus. If you are not going to breed a cat, it is better to have an operation on it, otherwise it faces pyometra, this is a very serious disease of the uterus, threatening pus discharge, an increase in abdominal volume, and frequent urination.”
Yuri: “Complete nonsense and a waste of money! The cat screamed and screamed and kept screaming! Do not buy!"
Valentina: “This is the best remedy that allows both us and the cat to sleep normally! She constantly walked at night, bringing “surprises,” but with the onset of cold weather, when the doors and windows were closed, we listened to all the torment and screams. A trip to the vet ended with the purchase of the drug “Contrasex”. Now we sleep again at night. No side effects were noticed. I recommend it to everyone."
Vika asks for advice on what to give a seven-year-old cat. There is no way to sterilize a cat. I gave her the drug “Cat Bayun”, but ran into the problem of taking it three times, the action was too short and the effect was weak. I tried giving the cat “contrasex”, now I’m happy and see that the animal is calm, even lethargic, the appetite is normal, the screaming and screaming have stopped.
Indications for taking Antisex
Antisex is recommended to be used to suppress the first heat in young cats (7-9 months) that have just reached puberty. This is especially important if young animals come into contact with adult animals or have the opportunity to visit the street. The drug is indicated if the cat shows signs of estrus, but mating is undesirable.
These symptoms include:
- loud meowing;
- restless behavior;
- attempts to jump out the window;
- aggression towards owners;
- rolling on the floor, etc.
Often the estrus period lasts up to 2 weeks. At this time, the cat needs the drug. The indication for the use of the product is the onset of estrus, since surgery cannot be performed at this time.
In addition, the drug is recommended for use in cases where sterilization of the animal is impossible due to existing contraindications.
Chemical composition of the drug
The composition of the drug includes:
- mepregenol acetate;
- ethinyl estradiol.
The essence of the effect is the inhibition of the hypothalamic-physeal region of the brain, which is responsible for controlling the production of gonadotropic hormones in the animal’s body. Thus, antiovulatory and antiestrogenic effects are achieved, which helps eliminate sexual desire. The main active ingredient is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and then processed in the liver and breaks down into free steroids and conjugates.
Did you know? The cat's maximum speed is 50 km/h.
In this form, it is excreted naturally along with urine and feces. At the end of the course of administration, 90% of the substance is excreted with waste products within 15 days.
Side effects
If we talk about hormonal drugs for felines that reduce sexual desire and activity or stop estrus, then no matter how high-quality and expensive they are, they have negative consequences. These include:
- Depressed state, apathy, lethargy.
- Increased interest in food, as a result, increased body weight.
- The risk of developing cancer, various types of diabetes.
- Lesions and dysfunctions of the excretory, endocrine, and genitourinary systems.
- The likelihood of developing neoplasms and tumors of the mammary glands in cats.
The health of animals often deteriorates greatly from taking hormonal drugs.
