Neutering and spaying are relatively simple operations that will stop your cat from being able to breed. If you have a female cat, it will stop her becoming pregnant, and if you have a male cat it will prevent him from breeding with other cats in the neighborhood. Unless you are specifically planning to breed from your cat, neutering is generally recommended to prevent unintended pregnancies. This is especially important because there are so many more kittens born each year than there are homes where they can be looked after.
Why is neutering or spaying a good idea?
First and foremost, neutering or spaying reduces the number of unwanted kittens that cannot find a home. There are other benefits as well though, as neutering reduces certain health risks and behavioral issues seen in cats who remain 'intact'.
If your cat is female, spaying will stop her coming into season, which is when they 'call' loudly to attract male cats - a noisy affair that can be very disruptive! Another benefit of spaying female cats is that it reduces the likelihood of certain serious health problems including mammary tumors and pyometra (womb infection). Pregnancy and birth also carry some risk for the mother cat.
For male cats, neutering will reduce the drive to roam far from home, meaning that your cat has a lower risk of getting caught in a road traffic accident or going missing. Unneutered males are also more likely to spray urine around the house, and to get into fights and spread certain diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.
What is involved in the operation?
Neutering and spaying are very different operations for male and female cats because of the differences between their reproductive tracts. The following animations show the reproductive organs in male and female cats, alongside the kidneys (brown) and bladder (white). The male cat has two small testicles that can be seen under the tail, while the female cat has a uterus and ovaries inside her abdomen.
Animation of the anatomy of the male cat genitalia
Animation of the anatomy of the female cat genitalia
For male cats, neutering involves removing the testicles in a procedure called castration. This is a relatively simple operation in which a small cut is made on each side of the scrotum and the testicle is taken out. This animation shows how the vet removes the testicle after tying a knot in the spermatic cord and blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
Animation of the neutering the male cat
Spaying is a bigger operation for female cats as the reproductive tract is located inside the abdomen. Spaying can either be performed as an 'ovariectomy', in which just the ovaries are removed, or an 'ovariohysterectomy', in which the uterus is removed as well as the ovaries.
Animation on neutering the female cat: ovariectomy
Animation on neutering the female cat: ovariohysterectomy
At what age should cats be fixed?
Neutering and spaying used to be advised from six months of age, but since cats can reach sexual maturity from around four months old, many vets now recommend neutering earlier. Your vet will be able to advise on the best time to fix your pet, as it will depend on their size and general health. The following animations show the changes involved in sexual maturity in male and female cats:
Animation of the proper timing for neutering in the male cat
Animation of the proper timing for neutering in the female cat.
While most cats are fixed young, the operation can be carried out at any age. However, some sexual behavior such as urine spraying in male cats can become habitual, so neutering at an older age may not fully stop the behavior.
For female cats, it used to be believed that they should have a litter of kittens before spaying. There is no evidence for the benefit of this to the cat, however, so neutering earlier is generally better unless you are planning to use your cat for breeding.
How should I care for my pet before and afterward?
These procedures involve a general anesthetic, so your cat will need to be fasted overnight beforehand. Pets are typically able to go home on the day of the operation once they have recovered from the anesthetic, although if your vet has any concerns, they may keep your cat in for longer. Any operation involving an anesthetic comes with some risk, but the risk is very low for this simple operation, especially in a young and healthy animal.
Your vet will be able to advise on aftercare. Male cats generally recover quickly but should be kept indoors for a few days. Since the operation is more involved for female cats, they should be kept indoors for longer, and they may need to wear an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) to stop them nibbling at their surgical wound. Female cats may also need to have stitches removed 7-10 days after the operation, depending on the technique used for closing the wound. When your cat's fur grows back at the surgical site it may be a little darker in some breeds like the Siamese, but the color will change back to normal in time.
It is important to bear in mind that neutering and spaying our pets reduces the amount of food that animals need, so you may need to adjust your cat's diet accordingly to stop them gaining weight. However, if your cat is fixed while they are still growing up, their food requirements will also be increasing as they grow. Your vet will be able to advise on the best way to manage your cat's diet.
Animations ©Medi-Productions