The number of unplanned and unwanted kittens born every year is huge, more than the number of good homes that can be found for them. This often means they’re left to fend for themselves or are euthanised. Neutering cats helps to reduce these numbers.

This guide gives you all the pros and cons of neutering your cat, what it involves and the cost of cat neutering.  

What are the Benefits of Cat Neutering?

Neutering is the removal of a cat’s reproductive organs – the ovaries and uterus in female cats and the testicles in male cats. In females, it’s called spaying and stops a female cat from coming into season (which is usually three or four times a year), preventing unwanted pregnancies and surprise litters. It also stops any behaviour traits associated with being in season (oestrus) like being nervous, hiding away or looking for constant attention.

Female cats in season may also spray urine around their territory to advertise their ‘availability’ and attract male tom cats from near and wide... it’s also a smelly business if they do it in the house!

Motherhood takes a lot out of cats and if they have multiple pregnancies, this can take a toll on their health and life expectancy. Spaying a cat also has the benefit of reducing their risk of breast (mammary) cancer. A spayed cat is also less likely to have an infection of the womb (a condition known as pyometra).

Neutering male cats is called castration. Removing the testicles removes the main source of testosterone for male cats. This reduces the risk that your male cat will wander off in search of a mate and potentially being involved in a road accident. A neutered cat will be less likely to mark their territory with urine, including inside your home and less likely to get involved in fights with other male cats.

This means there’s a lower risk they’ll pick up injuries or be infected with diseases such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus FIV. This viral disease is spread via saliva, often from bite wounds from fighting. Unneutered or intact cats can also become frustrated if kept indoors and will look for any escape route. The downside is neutered male cats may be more prone to putting on weight as they’re using up less energy staying at home.

When Should My Cat be Neutered?

Kittens become sexually mature and capable of becoming pregnant or fathering a litter when they’re around five months of age.

A cat can be neutered at any age – there’s no upper limit. Traditionally, the procedure was carried out when a kitten was six months old, but it has now become standard practice to have cats neutered at around four months old before female kittens have had their first oestrus cycle.

This completely removes the risk that any female cat that has become sexually mature at an early age will become pregnant by an unneutered male cat. There’s no benefit for female cats to have a litter of kittens before spaying.

However, male cats who are neutered at a later age may still exhibit the anti-social behaviour of urine spraying and fighting.

How are Cats Neutered?

Spaying and neutering (castration) are major operations that require the cat to have a general anaesthetic so they’re asleep during the procedure. Every surgical operation has some risks, but modern procedures are very safe. Cats also need to be fasted overnight to avoid any potential complications due to vomited food.

After the neutering operation, your cat should be ready to go home as soon as the anaesthetic has worn off although your vet may decide to keep them in overnight to keep an eye on their recovery. If your cat is in discomfort after the surgery, they’ll be given pain relief.

They might need to wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent them licking the wound and introducing infection. There are soft fabric or inflatable collar alternatives to the rigid, plastic cones. These are much more comfortable for you cat. If your cat finds eating difficult with the cone around their necks, just remove them at mealtimes and replace afterwards.

Post-surgery complications such as excessive bleeding and infections (redness, swelling or discharge) of the wound site are rare. Contact your vet if you notice any of these or have any other concerns.

What is Cat Spaying?

Spaying or ovariohysterectomy refers to the removal of the ovaries and uterus (womb) in female cats. Spaying is a more complicated procedure to carry out than neutering male cats but it’s one of the most common veterinary surgical procedures.

Under a general anaesthetic, a single cut is made into the cat’s abdomen and the ovaries and uterus are removed. An alternative operation is an ovariectomy where only the ovaries are removed. You can discuss the best options for your cat with your vet.

What is Cat Castration?

Neutering male cats is called castration and castrating a cat is a relatively straightforward operation. It involves a single cut into the scrotum to remove the testicles. Your vet will check that both testicles have descended into the scrotum – if not, one or both may have remained in the cat’s abdomen.

Retained testicles can be removed by open castration or a laparoscopic (keyhole) operation. Male cats that have testicles retained inside the body are at higher risk of developing a type of cancer called testicular cancer.

How Much to Neuter a Cat?

Cat neutering costs vary as vets may charge different prices depending on where the vet practices are in the country. On average, a male cat castration will cost around £75 while the cost to have a female cat neutered will be around £110 (as they require more aftercare). If you’re worried about the cost of a cat spay or castration, ask your vet who will discuss their fees with you.

It may be possible for the surgery to be carried out at an animal shelter if you’re on a low income or receive benefits. Cat charities may also offer low-cost neutering. If you decide against neutering, don’t forget to factor in the cost of feeding and veterinary costs for a pregnant cat and as many as 18 kittens every year!

Neutering cats reduces the number of unwanted cats and is essential for cat population control. Neutering also prevents potential health problems as your cat gets older. Your vet will be happy to discuss the best time to neuter your cat, costs, and the health benefits of neutering with you.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - http://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.