Not all cats get a tattoo when they are spayed. In fact, only a small percentage of private veterinary practices actually tattoo animals during the sterilization process. According to a survey, only 5 percent of surveyed private veterinary practices reported using tattoos for owned animals during spay and neuter procedures.
It is important to note that this survey specifically focused on private veterinary practices, so the results may not be representative of all veterinary clinics or animal shelters. However, the numbers do give us some insight into the prevalence of tattoo usage in sterilization procedures.
The survey also found that the percentage of private practices using tattoos rose to 11 percent when sterilizing unowned dogs and cats. This suggests that tattoo usage may be more common in situations where the ownership of the animal is unknown or where there is a higher likelihood of the animal being lost or abandoned.
Tattoos are often used as a way to visually identify sterilized animals. The tattoo typically consists of a small symbol or code that is placed on the animal’s abdomen or inner thigh during the spay or neuter surgery. This can be useful in distinguishing between sterilized and intact animals, especially if there are concerns about accidental breeding or if the animal is found as a stray.
However, it is worth noting that there are alternative methods of identification, such as microchipping, that are also commonly used. Microchips are small electronic devices that are implanted under the animal’s skin and can be scanned to retrieve the owner’s contact information. This method of identification is generally considered to be more reliable and permanent than tattoos.
In my personal experience, I have had two cats that were spayed, and neither of them received a tattoo during the procedure. Instead, they were both microchipped for identification purposes. This seems to be the more common practice nowadays, as microchipping provides a more reliable and permanent form of identification.
While some private veterinary practices do use tattoos as a means of identifying sterilized animals, it is not a widespread practice. The majority of cats do not receive tattoos when they are spayed or neutered, and alternative methods of identification, such as microchipping, are often preferred.