Paintballs or BB's?

[telecom_goddess]

The risk of developing various types of cancer are also greatly reduced or removed altogether when an animal is neutered, so it really is the kindest thing to do.

I don't doubt that for a second but I wonder why that is, I mean all animals were meant to procreate so why does it carry risk if they can procreate?

I have two cats both of which are fixed and have been for quite some time.

[jackfaire]

I don't doubt that for a second but I wonder why that is, I mean all animals were meant to procreate so why does it carry risk if they can procreate?

Biological control of the species? Built in mechanism to keep everyone from having kids and overpopulating?

[Nyoibo]

Organs that are there and not used for their intended purpose.

[blas87]

This cat is 10 years old. Getting her fixed at this age is out of the question because I don't have the money for it and my parents (who also refused to get her declawed at a younger age) won't pay for it.

[Mishi]

*Nods* And even if you had the money, some vets are unwilling to take the risk of anaethetising a cat at that age. When I used to clip/groom them, because they were classed as elderly at that age and with the increased risks (old + feline, they seem to react badly at the best of times) 10 years old was our limit without a signed waiver and a damn good reason.

[telecom_goddess]

so if my girl cat is 9 years old does that mean she's officially an old lady now?

this cat is one I've mentioned before...she loves everyone and everything. She loves people to DEATH. And she talks to us constantly. I know she is getting old and I'm not looking foward to the day she does eventually go. I've never had a cat like her in my life.

[blas87]

FatCat made it to just months shy of 15. It's possible for a cat to make it to teenaged years. Don't lose hope!

Though I know how you feel. Bear turned 12 this month, and labs/retrievers generally don't live longer than that.

[Andara Bledin]

Our fat old queen is pushing somewhere between 12-15. We don't know her exact age, but we've had her for about 8 years, and before that she had been someone's pet, and then abandoned as an adult cat; she's got a badly healed notch in one ear from when she wasn't being taken care of.

Even at her advanced age, she still smacks around our adult male, who is 3.5 years old, now, and keeps trying to wrest alpha status from her iron paw.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

The last three survivors of the family of cats my family had for ages each died at 18.

Never long enough.