Cat neutering: what you need to know

Brief summary

• Neutering cats can have several benefits, including preventing unwanted pregnancies, reducing undesirable behaviors, and preventing some medical conditions
• For male cats, neutering can reduce urine spraying and marking behaviors, prevent testicular and prostate cancer, reduce aggression and fighting, decrease the likelihood of wandering, and prevent infectious diseases
• For female cats, spaying can prevent unwanted pregnancies and phantom pregnancies, prevent pyometra, stop heat cycles, prevent mammary, ovarian, and uterine cancer
• Before neutering, the vet will check the cat's health and ask you to restrict food overnight.
• The surgery involves general anesthesia and the removal of the reproductive organs
• The ideal age for neutering is four months old, and it is recommended for outdoor cats before they are allowed to road

What is cat neutering?

Neutering is a simple operation that prevents cats from breeding by removing their sexual organs. It's called spaying in females and involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus. In males, it’s known as castration and involves the removal of the cat’s testicles. We've compiled this guide to help you make the best decision for your cat or kitten.

Why should you neuter your cat?

Neutering has many benefits, including preventing unwanted pregnancies, reducing undesirable behaviours and preventing some medical conditions. 

Benefits of neutering a male cat include:

• Reduces urine spraying and marking behaviours
• Eliminates the chance of getting testicular cancer
• Decreases the likelihood of getting prostate cancer
• Reduces aggression and fighting behaviours with neighbouring cats
• They’re less likely to wander far in search of mates, decreasing the chance of getting run over or injured
• Reduces the chance of getting infectious diseases such as FeLV and FIV 
• Unneutered indoor cats may get frustrated and try to escape, which can be dangerous, especially if you don't live on the ground floor.

Benefits of spaying female cats include:

• No unwanted pregnancies or phantom pregnancies
• Prevents pyometra (infection of the womb)
• Eliminate your cat's season and stops unneutered males trying to mate with her
• Reduces the risk of mammary cancers
• Prevents ovarian and uterine cancer
• You won't have to keep your cat inside multiple times a year when they're in heat

Preparing for the neutering procedure

If you’re having your cat neutered or spayed, there are certain things your vet will want you to do.

• Ensure your cat hasn't eaten anything on the morning of the operation. This means they won't regurgitate any food and possibly choke whilst under anaesthetic because their stomach will be empty. Your vet will give you guidance as to how long to restrict food for before the procedure, but it is usually overnight.
• Keep your cat indoors overnight before the operation, to make sure they don’t find food elsewhere, and to make them easier to find and get them into a carrier.
• Tell your vet if your cat has been unwell in the days leading up to the operation, as they will want to make sure your cat is healthy enough to go under anaesthetic

How is your cat neutered?

Neutering is a simple procedure. Once you've dropped your cat to the vet, they will:

• Check over your kitten. This is where your vet will check the sex of your kitten to make sure they do the correct procedure, and check that they are in good general health.
• Place them in a warm, comfortable bed and give them a light sedative to help them relax
• Once calm and relaxed, they will give your cat their general anaesthetic and pain killers. 
•  The surgical site will be shaved and cleaned. This makes it easier for your vet to do the operation and makes sure no foreign bodies, like hair, will get inside your cat. In a male, only the testicles will be shaven, in female cats there will be a patch either on their tummy or on their side.
• Monitor your cat's vital signs as they are under anaesthetic
• If your cat is male, the vet surgeon will make small incisions over each testicle,from which they will carefully remove your cat's testes. Because these incisions are so small, stitches aren't normally needed
• If your cat is female, your vet will make a small incision in the middle of their belly, or on the left flank. They then remove the ovaries and uterus before closing the wound  with stitches. They may have internal stitches only, or they may have some sutures on the outside of the wound.
• Recover the cat carefully from the surgery and anaesthesia. They will often go home a few hours after surgery, when fully awake.

Recovery from neutering

Cats generally recover from being neutered remarkably well. They will need to be offered small meals of highly digestible food, and will often have painkillers to be given over the next few days. They may be tired and drowsy as the anaesthetic wears off, but they’ll typically be their lively selves again the next day. It's highly recommended to keep your cat calm and quiet for a few days. This will allow the internal wounds to heal. 

You may be offered a cone or bodysuit to prevent your cat from interfering with their wound. The wounds are often very small and most cats will ignore them. Pay careful attention to your cat following their surgery, and contact your vet if they are licking or scratching at their surgical site. 

Check-ups 

These tend to differ for male and female cats. Female cats will typically need a check-up 2-3 days after the operation as well as 7-10 days after. Male cats may not need a check-up or only one a few days after the operation. 

Side effects of neutering your cat 

The main side effect of neutering your cat will be weight gain. This is because neutering slows down your cat's metabolism. Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet designed for neutered cats, or dropping their food intake slightly, as well as keeping them enriched and stimulated will help keep their weight under control. 

Other side effects can include:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea due to the anaesthetic. This can be normal, although if it continues for more than 24 hours, contact your vet
• Poorly healed wounds caused by licking, over-exercising or knocking the wound

What age to neuter a cat

Most vets recommend neutering cats from four months old. While this may seem young, cats become sexually mature around this age, and start displaying relevant behaviours and the potential to start breeding. . If you plan on having an outdoor cat, you should have them neutered before they are allowed to roam. 

Cats can be neutered at any age, although there has been lots of research into the surgical removal of reproductive organs before they reach sexual maturity. Your vet will guide you on the best time for neutering your cat.

Signs your cat needs to be neutered

You can tell your cat might need to be neutered when they start showing signs of sexual maturity. Male cats may become more aggressive, try to get out of the house more or spray in the house. Female cats may come into heat and start showing associated behaviours such as calling, trying to escape or becoming very affectionate. 

Cat neutering cost

The cost of neutering your cat can depend several factors, including:

• Gender of your cat, with spaying being more expensive than castration
• Size and weight of your cat
• Your practice location

On average, the cost of castrating a male cat in the UK ranges from £40 to £100, while the cost for spaying a female cat is usually higher, ranging from £50 to £150.

Members of Pet Health Club receive a 20% discount on neutering. Some charities offer financial assistance for neutering if you meet certain criteria. 

Alternative options for neutering

If you're worried about surgically neutering your male cat, you can choose a chemical castration as a temporary option. It involves placing a tiny implant under the cat's skin which releases pharmaceutical drugs to deactivate the testicles. 

Chemical castration has some benefits, including:

• Cheaper than surgical neutering 
• No anaesthesia
• Speedy recovery time

However, like all options, it does have some downsides. These can be:

• It takes about six weeks to start working
• Only lasts six to 12 months before it needs replacing, so it may become more expensive over time and it can be difficult to tell if it has stopped working

Talk to your vet about the best option for your cat.

Studies into neutering your cat

Several studies have been done which provide valuable insights into neutering cats, including its health benefits, risks, and impact on behaviour. These include a study in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery investigating the association between neutering and feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). It suggested neutered cats are less likely to suffer from FLUTD than intact cats.

Another piece of research on neutering and obesity in dogs concluded there’s a potential link between neutering and obesity in male pets. Meanwhile, a study into prepubertal gonadectomy (the removal of the reproductive organs in animals before they reach sexual maturity) in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found both health benefits and risks. It urged owners to discuss the timing of the procedure with their vet. Two other studies on the same topic concluded that prepubertal gonadectomy is safe and effective in cats and that early neutering doesn’t have a negative effect on a kitten’s development.

Common questions on neutering cats

Do male cats change after being neutered?

You may see some changes in their behaviour, but these are generally positive. For example, your cat may be less aggressive, calmer, and less anxious to go outside. If you feel your cat has changed negatively, contact your vet. 

How do I comfort my cat after neutering?

Ensure they have a quiet space to rest when you bring them home from the vet. If they want affection, give it to them. If not, leave them to sleep or relax, and try to keep other pets from bothering them. In a day or two, they should be back to normal. 

Should I let my cat have a litter before spaying her?

No. Mating, pregnancy and birth can all be stressful for cats, and if you don't plan to breed from her, then there’s no need to make her have a litter before you get her spayed. 

Will neutering make my cat lazy and fat?

Neutering doesn't make cats lazy, although it can predispose to weight gain. Simple dietary adjustments prevent cats putting on weight after neutering. To keep your cat healthy, watch how much food they eat and make sure they have fun ways to play and be active.

Should my cat have a litter before being spayed?

There’s no benefit to allowing your cat to have a litter before spaying. In fact, spaying before the first heat cycle can reduce the risk of mammary gland tumours in female cats.

Are there any reasons not to neuter your cat?

The main reasons not to neuter a cat are if they are at more risk from the anaesthetic, due to age or  health concerns, or if you want to breed them. Very young kittens and cats with compromised immune systems are likely to be too weak for the procedure. Responsible breeders may also decide against neutering their cats. 

Can you spay a pregnant cat?

It is possible to spay a pregnant cat, although this is essentially an abortion, as the vet would remove the ovaries and uterus during the procedure. You should speak to your vet before deciding to spay a pregnant cat.

Do spayed female cats still attract males?

When a female cat is spayed, the vet takes out her ovaries. These ovaries make hormones that cause the cat's body to get ready to have kittens. After spaying, she won't go into heat anymore, so she will act differently and won't smell as interesting to male cats. However, the leftover hormones might take a while to go away completely.

Is neutering a cat cruel?

While that’s a matter of personal opinion, neutering has many benefits. Those include preventing overpopulation, improving your cat’s health and behaviour and helping to contribute to a happier home.

Can you spay a cat in heat?

Spaying cats in heat is possible, but it isn't ideal. The surgery can be trickier because the cat's body undergoes some changes during this time,  with larger blood vessels and delicate reproductive organs. When a cat is in her heat cycle, she is fertile and receptive to pregnancy. . Typically, feline heat cycles last around four to seven days. If the cat doesn’t find a mate, she’ll keep going into heat every few weeks. Chat to your vet about the best time to spay your cat.

Do cats have periods after being spayed?

Cats don't have periods, full stop. Cats have something different called a heat cycle. This is when their body gets ready for pregnancy, but they don't bleed or lose any tissue from their uterus like humans do. Cats are seasonal breeders, only having heat cycles in the lighter, warmer months.

What are the most obvious signs of infection after neutering a cat?

After surgery, you need to keep an eye on the area where the cut was made. Signs of infection can include:

• Redness and swelling
• Pus coming out of the cut
• The cut starting to smell
• Your cat suffering pain or appearing uncomfortable
• Continual licking or biting around the area of the cut
• The cut feeling hotter than elsewhere on your cat’s body
• Fever or prolonged tiredness

Call your vet immediately if you see any of these signs or are worried about how your cat is healing after their surgery.

Cat neutering near me

For expert advice on cat castration and cat spaying, contact your local vet. Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.