Neutering Your Cat

NEUTERING YOUR CAT

A brief summary of everything you need to know about neutering your cat!

Neutering your cat can have several health benefits for them, and it also prevents the risk of unwanted litters. Cats can have up to three litters per year – which is a lot of kittens! Preventing these unwanted litters goes a long way to reducing the population of cats in rescue centres.

WHEN SHOULD I NEUTER MY CAT?

Cats can reach sexual maturity from 4 months of age. We suggest neutering them from 4 months old onwards, as long as they are over 2kg in weight.

It is advisable not to let your cat outside until they are neutered, this not only prevents the risk of an unwanted pregnancy, but also prevents entire cats showing aggressive behaviour towards each other!

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SPAYING MY FEMALE CAT?

Female cats are seasonally polyoestrus – this means that they are fertile approximately every 3 weeks from spring to autumn. When female cats are in season their behaviour often changes, they adopt an unusual posture, may try to get out of the house and show increased ‘calling’ behaviour. They will also attract male cats in the area, which can lead to fights! Entire female cats are also more at risk of developing infections of the womb (pyometra) and mammary tumours. Pregnancy and birth are not without risk, and as there are a large number of unwanted cats in the UK, breeding your cat is something that should be thought through very carefully.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CASTRATING MY MALE CAT?

Male cats are more likely to travel larger distances in their search for a mate, increasing their risk of becoming lost or being involved in road traffic accidents. Their urine is more pungent than neutered males, and they mark their territory by spraying.  They are also more likely to show aggressive behaviour to other cats – this not only increases their risk of injury, but also increases their risk of contracting an infectious disease, such as feline leukaemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. Castrating your cat makes all these situations less likely.

WHAT IS INVOLVED WITH NEUTERING MY CAT?

For both males and females, we will ask you to bring your cat into the practice on the morning of the procedure. They are allowed their tea as normal the night before but must not have any food after midnight that evening (and no breakfast in the morning!). If your cat is usually outdoors overnight it is advisable to keep them in so you can ensure that they do not eat anything – and so that you can make sure they are ready to be brought into us in the morning!

After they are admitted we will settle them in to our lovely quiet cat ward, which is kept separate from our canine patients!

Before their operation they are given a sedative and pain killer so they will be calm prior to the anaesthetic.  After their operation they will have a shaved patch around the incision, and small shaved patch on their leg where the intravenous catheter has been placed. We will watch them closely during their recovery and offer them some food when they are awake. They will be sent home the same afternoon with either a pet shirt or a buster collar, and some pain relief for you to give them at home.

Your cat needs to be kept indoors for the next 10 days to allow the incision to heal. Climbing and jumping should be avoided, although we know this may be a challenge! We would like to see them back for a post-operative check 2 days after their surgery and then again one week later. If all is well at this point, they can start to be introduced to going outside.

If you are considering having your cat neutered and would like to find out more, please phone, email or pop in to see us and we will be more than happy to answer your questions!