Did you know that February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, and this year World Spay Day falls on February 25th? This month is a critical time to spread awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering, especially with kitten season just around the corner. While cats in warm southern states can breed year-round, those in colder climates start mating as soon as temperatures rise, leading to an influx of litters in the spring.

At FurryTail, our mission has always been to improve the lives of all cats. From finding loving homes, supporting TNR efforts, and raising awareness, we believe responsible pet ownership and community action can make a lasting impact. We are proud to support and highlight Alley Cat Allies, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, and the United Spay Alliance. These leading organizations can help reduce overpopulation and give every cat a better future.

Do you know the facts about feline family planning? This short quiz tests your knowledge of the Feline Nine Facts of Life. Let’s get started!

FurryTail’s Feline Nine Facts of Life Quiz

1. How many kittens can one unspayed cat produce in one year?

A: 1-3

B: 4-6

C: 7-10

D: More than 11

2. Kittens can be safely spayed/neutered when they:

A: Weigh two pounds

B: Are 1 month old

C: Start to eat solids

D: Have had their first heat

3. Cats that are spayed/neutered live longer.

TRUE

FALSE

4. What does TNR stand for?

A: Toebeans Need Rubs

B: Terrorize Neighborhood Rodents

C: Trap-Neuter-Return

D: Tail Not Responsible

5. How can you tell if a male stray cat has been neutered?

A: He seems relaxed and indifferent to other cats

B: His rearview looks smooth and flat with no signs of “tomcat nuggets”

C: His face is sleek and narrow with no sign of “tomcat jowls”

D: He has a clean, straight ear tip

6. What does “Fix by Five” mean?

A: Feed your cat before 5:00 AM

B: When you have 5 cats, you are officially a crazy cat lady

C: Spraying and neutering cats before five months of age

D: Only give five pets. One more and you get a bite

7. The benefits of spaying a cat include reducing the:

A: Number of unwanted litters

B: Risk of breast cancer

C: Risk of uterus infections (pyometra)

D: All of the above

8. On average, how long are cats pregnant for?

A: 9 weeks

B: 12 weeks

C: 6 weeks

D: 4 weeks

9. What is a common myth about spaying and neutering?

A: It’s expensive and unaffordable

B: It makes cats less loving

C: It can only be done after their first heat

D: All of the above

How well do you know the Nine Feline Facts of Life?

1. D - More than 11

VetExplainsPets says in one year, one unspayed female can potentially give birth to 12 - 18 kittens. A female cat can have as many as three litters a year, with a typical litter containing on average 4-6 kittens.

2. A - Weigh two pounds

United Spay Alliance says kittens can be safely spayed/neutered when they are two pounds (or roughly two months old). Fixing kittens before they are five months old will drastically reduce the number of unwanted litters and greatly improve their overall health.

3. True

The Humane Society of the United States references a study conducted by Banfield Pet Hospitals found that spayed female cats in the study lived 39% longer and neutered male cats lived 62% longer.