What does neutering mean?
Neutering or 'spaying' a female cat means that the womb and ovaries are removed. Neutering a male cat generally means castrating the cat; the testicles are removed (you can request that your cat has a vasectomy but most vets will not offer this). Both operations are carried out under general anaesthetic and recovery should be quick.
When should my cat be neutered?
Cats (male & female) can be neutered at any age but to stop unwanted kittens from being born, neutering should be done as early as possible. Cats tend to reach sexual maturity by approximately 6 months old and it is at this age that most vets will recommend that they be neutered. However, they can be neutered as early as 10 weeks old (though you will find that most vets will not do this).
It is SHUA policy that any kitten adopted must not be allowed out until after they have been neutered (and had their vaccinations) and that this is done when the kitten is 6 months old. As with other mammals, the age at which sexual maturity is reached cannot be accurately predicted and so a kitten allowed out before it has been neutered may well be sexually active and therefore contributing to the increasing birthrate of unwanted kittens.
Why should cats be neutered?
Having your cat neutered is the responsible thing to do. It prevents unwanted litters as well as the massive risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, stops anti-social behaviour and greatly reduces the risk of diseases being spread.
Read about Mayhem to find out the importance of neutering in a real-life situation. Mayhem was barely 6 months old when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. The death sentence faced by Mayhem could easily have been avoided by a simple and inexpensive spay operation; the leukaemia was transmitted to her by an infected tom-cat, who in turn was attracted to her for the sole reason that she had not been spayed.
Reasons to have female cats spayed:
- Unwanted litters of kittens
- Female cats remain on heat for approximately 3 weeks and this will repeat until they become pregnant or until the year advances
- Queens (the name for a female cat, used mainly when she is pregnant) can have up to 3 litters in a year. Litters vary in size and whilst the average is 4, there can be as many as 8 kittens per litter. If you consider that by 6 months old any offspring can, themselves, be sexually active, this can result in a potentially huge increase in the number of stray and feral cats
- Having successive litters will reduce the female cat's quality and length of life. Whilst pregnant (and then whilst looking after her kittens) she will require a large increase in her food intake if both she and the litter are to remain healthy and strong
- Pregnancy and birth are not without risk and the cat (and kittens) can die if complications arise
- Female cats that have not been spayed will attract male cats from miles around. Feline leukaemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) are transmitted by bodily fluids, hence an infected cat will pass these diseases onto any cat that it mates with. Male cats will also bring with them ancillary problems such as fighting & spraying
- Female cats are more likely to suffer from infections of the womb and mammary tumours later in life if they have not been spayed
- Any infectious diseases that the queen has may be passed onto her kittens.
Reasons to have male cats neutered:
- Unneutered male cats tend to stray over a large area and will mark their territory out by spraying
- By covering a larger territory, the risk of a road traffic accident is much greater.
- Unneutered male cats are much more likely to fight and to be aggressive generally (including towards their family)
- By fighting, diseases such as FIV and FeLV get spread much more quickly
- Fighting causes injuries such as abscesses
- Unneutered males are also more likely to spray inside the home (and the pungent smell is difficult to remove!)
How much will it cost?
The cost of getting a cat neutered varies around the country but tends to be between £30 - £50. Castration is generally cheaper than spaying. However, the Cats Protection League (and other organisations) may be able to help with the cost of neutering. CPL will assist you if you own a cat and are either:
- A full time student
- On a pension
- On a means tested benefit
- On a low wage
You can download a form to apply.
What about feral cats?
It is through the birth of unwanted litters that feral colonies come about and increase in number. If you need help in getting a feral cat colony neutered, contact SHUA who can offer advice and practical help.
Should my cat have a litter before she is spayed?
No. There are no health (or other) reasons why a cat should be made to produce a litter before she is spayed. In fact, the risks associated with pregnancy and birth can be harmful.
