Neutering in cats is when their reproductive organs are removed to prevent breeding. Castration describes the procedure in males, while spaying is a term specific to females. The term ‘fixing’ is sometimes used to describe neutering in both sexes. Meanwhile, an unneutered pet is often referred to as ‘entire’ or ‘intact’.
Neutering is done for many reasons, from health benefits to improved behaviour. It is also used to control the feline population, as it helps prevent unplanned pregnancy and breeding.
While cats are likely to experience some pain after the procedure and soreness as they recover, medication will help. Dr. Brian Evans, DVM and Medical Director at online pet health service Dutch, said: “The pain can be managed with injectable pain medications on the day of the surgery and oral pain medications that are continued at home.” Your vet will help you come up with a more detailed recovery plan to keep your cat comfortable during their recovery.
Why Should Cats Be Neutered?
Research by Cats Protection suggests that around 86% of owned cats (about 9.3 million) in the UK are neutered, and pet parents are generally in favour of the procedure. But why is it important? Spaying and neutering carry a wide array of benefits, including the following:
Controls overpopulation
Put simply, neutering prevents overpopulation. “How is it possible for the world to have too many cats?”, we hear you cry. While we agree with the sentiment, overpopulation means that people aren’t always able to provide the care and attention cats need to thrive and stay healthy. Sadly, this can result in cats being abandoned in shelters or left to roam the streets.
Stray cats are significantly more likely to be affected by diseases, and “the feral cat population has a negative impact on wild bird populations, as well as spreading zoonotic parasites in places like children’s sandboxes,” Evans said.
Prevents certain health problems
We all want our cats to be healthy, and castrating or spaying can help lower your cat’s risk of developing various illnesses.
Some researchers found that cats spayed before one year of age are up to 86% less likely to develop mammary tumors, while others found that neutered cats have a lower risk of catching feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV).
Spaying can also help prevent female cats from developing uterine problems such as pyometra, which can make them very sick and require emergency surgery, Evans said.
Changes unwanted behaviours
Love your cat, but not so much a fan of some behaviours? Neutering can lower tendencies of urine spraying and aggression, along with displays of sexual behaviours. Meanwhile, spaying a female cat means she will no longer go into heat—thus reducing related behaviours such as urine spraying, menstrual bleeding, and being excessively noisy.
Increases life expectancy
You’ll want to enjoy as many days with your cat as possible, and neutering your pet can help extend their lifespan. Research revealed neutered male cats live 62% longer than their unneutered counterparts, while spayed females enjoy 39% more days than unspayed kitties.
This is believed to be due to numerous factors, from a lower risk of cancer and infectious disease to a smaller chance of being hit by a car while outside trying to find a mating partner.
Eliminates heat cycles
Heat is when a cat is most fertile and occurs between spring and autumn. During this period, heat ‘cycles’ typically last around a week and repeat every two to three weeks. Each year, rescue charities in the UK are inundated with stray or unwanted kittens during this time.
“Spaying your female cat will prevent her from having heat cycles, which can cause her to become quite vocal,” Evans said.
When Can Cats Be Neutered?
Technically, a cat can be neutered or spayed at any point—meaning that if you take in an older entire cat, they can still have the procedure.
“I recommend [for] cats to be spayed around six months of age,” said Dr. Sehaj Grewal, DVM. Castrating or spaying your cat around this time “lessens the chances of reproductive cancer and other hormonal diseases,” he added.
However, pediatric neutering—which occurs before the cat turns six months old—is becoming more popular. One study showed that doing so reduces the cat’s risk of developing a mammary tumour by 91% (compared to 86% at one years old).
For many years, veterinarians believed neutering too early could stunt growth, but research now suggests otherwise. Neutering before six months is not linked to an increased risk of death or health issues, but it can increase shyness levels. Speak with your vet to discuss the best approach for your cat.
How Are Cats Neutered?
Spaying and castration operations are relatively quick, typically taking less than 20 minutes—although, the exact duration depends on your cat’s gender and size. “Both are elective procedures performed under general anaesthesia,” Grewal said. And you shouldn’t give your cat any food the night before to help avoid complications with this.
During castration, the vet makes a small cut into the scrotum, through which the testicles are removed. In spaying, a small incision is made in the abdomen, through which the ovaries and often the uterus are taken out.
“Traditionally with cat spays, veterinarians have removed both the ovaries and the uterus—though there is little need to remove the uterus,” Evans said. Nowadays, “more progressive veterinarians have advocated removing only the ovaries, as a way to reduce the pain and potential complications associated with traditional spays.”
What’s The Recovery From Spaying Or Castration?
The recovery time after spaying or neutering isn’t quite as speedy as the procedure itself, but your cat should be back on their paws before too long. “Most cats are healed within a week or so of the procedure,” Evans said.
As with all surgical procedures, there are complication risks, some more serious than others. The most common, Evans said, is cats licking their incision and potentially causing an infection. However, he adds that keeping your pet in an E-collar or recovery suit and giving them their medication can help prevent this.
Both anecdotal and scientific evidence indicates weight gain can be an issue for neutered cats due to the hormonal changes caused by the procedure. Discuss with your vet whether cutting back on portion size is necessary for your cat.
These procedures aren’t completely risk-free, but the risk is low. To reduce the possibility of any complications, “it is important to get a health assessment done prior to the procedure,” Grewal added.
Very rare “complications include risk of anaesthetic death [and] internal bleeding,” Grewal said. A French study found the death rate in cats from anaesthesia to be just 0.12%—and this can be “prevented [through] vigilant drug administration and anaesthetic monitoring,” he adds. Furthermore, Evans explains: “If your cat has a heart murmur or other evidence of heart disease, further testing may be recommended to help get them safely through the anaesthesia.”
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Cat Neutered?
Looking after our feline friends isn’t always cheap. The cost of spaying a cat is typically more expensive than castration, as the procedure is more complicated. Spaying can be around £60 to £100, whereas the procedure in males may be half this price.
If this isn’t financially viable, don’t panic. “Some hospitals and community services do it for free or at very low cost,” Evans said. In the UK, charities including PDSA, Blue Cross, Celia Hammond, RSPCA, Woodgreen and Cats Protection may be able to help with the cost, depending on where you live and your income.
Takeaway
Neutering is an important route to take with your feline: not only for their health and wellbeing but to help control the overall cat population.