When should you get a cat fixed

Índice Show

What’s involved in the cat neutering process?
How much does neutering a cat cost?
What age can cats be neutered?
Why should I get my cat neutered?
What happens after the surgery?
Spaying vs. Neutering: Understanding the Difference
When to Spay or Neuter Your Cat
Should Older Cats Be Spayed or Neutered?

Neutering means surgically preventing cats from reproducing
It’s recommended that cats are neutered at around four months old
Neutered animals might have slightly lower food requirements so you just need to feed them a little less

Neutering means surgically preventing cats from reproducing. In males, the operation is called castration and in females it’s called spaying.

With castration both testicles are removed which takes away the main source of the male hormone testosterone. With spaying, both the ovaries and the uterus are removed which means the female is unable to become pregnant.

What’s involved in the cat neutering process?

Both operations are carried out under general anaesthetic. Every surgical procedure has some risk but modern techniques are very safe.

Because it involves surgery, there will be some discomfort but cats are given drugs to control this and most of them are up and about just a few hours after they’ve had their operation.

How much does neutering a cat cost?

Costs vary quite a bit depending on the sex of the cat and the individual vet practice so check with your local vet. Several charities, including Blue Cross, offer low-cost neutering so contact your nearest one to find out more.

What age can cats be neutered?

Cats become sexually mature from the age of around five months. In order to prevent unwanted pregnancies, it’s recommended that cats are neutered at around four months old, after they have completed their primary vaccinations. Some vets still recommend spaying at five or six months and it’s quite safe to neuter older cats.

Why should I get my cat neutered?

There are lots of reasons why it’s a good idea. Here’s just a few:

For male cats:

Neutering reduces their chance of catching feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), an incurable disease similar to HIV in humans which is spread by saliva usually from bite wounds during fights.
Unneutered cats that are confined can become frustrated and may try any escape route – including out of your top floor window.
Neutering cats reduces their urge to roam and fight so they’re less likely to go missing, get hit by cars, or get hurt.

For female cats:

Spaying cats, especially if it’s done when they’re young, greatly reduces the risk of them getting breast cancer and infection of the womb (called pyometra). Both of these can be fatal.
Pregnancy and birth can carry significant risks to a cat.

For you:

A female cat can produce up to six kittens, three times a year. That’s a lot of mouths to feed.
It can be very stressful trying to make sure your cat doesn’t get pregnant and, if she does, you’ve got the worry of caring for her through her pregnancy, birth and the rearing of her litter. And that’s before the challenge of finding good homes for the kittens.
Female cats that aren’t spayed often come into season over and over again, which means they can be almost continuously in heat. This can be exhausting and usually attracts a queue of amorous and vocal tomcats to the house.
Unneutered male cats tend to urine-mark their territory, including your house, with a powerful and unpleasant scented urine.

For cat-kind:

Thousands of unwanted cats have to be put to sleep every year because there are too many unwanted animals and not enough homes for them. You can help by getting your cat neutered.

What happens after the surgery?

Some people worry that their cat’s personality will change. This isn’t true but you might see a fall in certain behaviour – roaming, mounting, fighting or spraying urine.

People also worry that their pet will get fat. Neutered animals might have slightly lower food requirements so you just need to feed them a little less.

While cats don't have to be spayed or neutered as kittens, doing so can help your cat lead a longer life—and maybe spare you some behavior problems.

Spaying or neutering your cat can help your furry friend lead a healthier, longer life. But when should you take them in for the operation? As with any pet health question, you should consult with your veterinarian to determine the best time for your individual cat, but here are some general guidelines to consider.

Spaying vs. Neutering: Understanding the Difference

Female cats are spayed while male cats are neutered (technically called castration). Both elective procedures entail removing the cats' reproductive organs: the ovaries and uterus for females, and the testicles for the males. The cats are under anesthesia during the surgery.

Getting your cats spayed or neutered does more than help prevent an unplanned litter of kittens. The surgeries can actually lead to longer life expectancies for both cats and dogs. Bierbrier points out that spaying cats can help eliminate the risk of urinary tract infections and lessen the chances of malignant breast tumors.

Spaying and neutering also helps cut down on the homeless pet population, she says. Pregnancies lead to more kittens being surrendered to shelters, and some of those cats might be euthanized if they can't find a home.

RELATED: Cat Pregnancy Tests Exist, But Should You Use One?

When to Spay or Neuter Your Cat

Generally, it's considered safe to spay or neuter kittens when they're between eight weeks and five months old, says Lori Bierbrier, DVM, the senior medical director of community medicine for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Shelters can perform the surgeries at the eight-week mark so they're sterilized before they're adopted, Bierbrier says. That way, there's one less thing for the new owner to take care of.

She also recommends spaying or neutering cats before they hit the five-month mark to prevent urine spraying and pregnancy—whether it's your cat or ones that your unneutered male cat mates with.

Spaying and neutering early in cats' lives is widely endorsed by animal advocacy and health care groups, including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the Humane Society of the United States. For example, the American Association of Feline Practitioners supports spaying or neutering cats sometime in their first 6–14 weeks of life.

Although it's possible to spay a cat who's in heat, Bierbrier recommends getting it done before your cat's first heat. It can prevent the aforementioned breast tumors and UTIs, but it'll likely make your life easier, too. Cats in heat will spend days yowling and peeing frequently, potentially all over your home.

RELATED: How Much Does It Cost to Spay or Neuter a Cat?

Should Older Cats Be Spayed or Neutered?

While it's recommended that you spay or neuter your kitten, that's not the only time you can do it. Older cats can be spayed or neutered, too. The Humane Society of Charlotte says it's a myth that dogs and cats can be too old for the surgeries. But you may have a couple extra hoops to jump through if they're older. Before the surgery, the veterinarian might first have to do some blood work to make sure the older cat's liver and kidneys are working well enough to withstand the anesthetics the procedure requires.

Another misconception: Spaying or neutering cats will cause them to be overweight. Cats' metabolism fades as they get older, so Bierbrier says that a lack of exercise and overfeeding will contribute to weight gain, not the procedure.

Neutering also doesn't rid male cats of testosterone, she says. That means the procedure might not eliminate certain behaviors, including seeking out female cats. A neutered cat will still have testosterone, and if your cat was neutered at an old age—when habits are already well established—he might keep chasing ladies.

By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll help control the pet homelessness crisis. Millions of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States each year simply because there aren’t enough homes to go around. There are also medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets).

Here are some of the medical benefits:

Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying prevents uterine infections and decreases the incidence of breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.

And behavioral benefits:

Your spayed female pet won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways escape from the house. Once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other animals.
Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.

Spaying/neutering your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter.

Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions

Spaying or neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim if you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
Neutering is not a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by a higher level of testosterone, there’s no guarantee that your dog’s behavior will change after he’s neutered. Although the surgery will reduce the amount of testosterone in your dog’s system, it won’t eliminate the hormone completely. Neutering will also not reduce behaviors that your pet has learned or that have become habitual. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality, physiology and history.

When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

For dogs: While the traditional age for neutering is six to nine months, healthy puppies as young as eight weeks old can be neutered. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there’s a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, dogs that are overweight or dogs that have health problems.
For cats: It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as eight weeks old to be spayed or neutered. To potentiially avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance for pregnancy, it’s advisable to schedule the surgery before your cat reaches five months of age. It’s possible to spay a female cat while she’s in heat.

Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet.

Helping Your Pet Before and After Surgery

Your veterinary clinic will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your adult dog or cat any food after midnight the night before surgery. A puppy or kitten, however, needs adequate nutrition, and your veterinarian may advise that food not be withheld.

Your veterinarian can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, your veterinarian can take measures to control pain. Depending on the procedure performed, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet.

Here are tips for a safe and comfortable recovery:

Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to two weeks following surgery, or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by using a well fitted Elizabethan collar.
Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.
Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.

If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhea or any other concerns following surgery.

Please visit our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs page to find spay/neuter options in your area.