Did you know? A cat can get pregnant from aged 4 months old.
You can neuter your cat at around four months old to avoid unwanted litters.
Even though they are small, four months old is actually a good time for male and female cats – this is because younger kittens have smaller, more elastic blood vessels and less abdominal fat, which makes surgery easier and safer. The ovaries are easier to identify, allowing for smaller incisions, which means quicker healing and fewer complications.
But if your cat is older, that doesn’t mean it is too late! You can neuter your cat at any time. If your female cat is in heat, your vet will advise when to book in for their surgery.
5 reasons why you should neuter your cat
1. Your cat’s health. Early pregnancies can stunt growth, weaken immune systems, and they will have an incredibly difficult birth. It also reduces the risk of future diseases such as cancer, ovarian cysts and pyometra.
2. Your cat’s stress. Unneutered cats will chase each other in the urge to mate leading to fights, being lost and often in road traffic accidents on unfamiliar roads.
3. Financial cost. Neutering costs around £150, raising a litter costs £200 per kitten. And if you thought it might be profitable still? Only 1 in 3 cats are sold, the rest given away or to rescue centres.
4. Impact on community. One female cat can have up to 100 kittens in her lifetime, and if half of those are female and reproducing, that reaches 1,000 cats in just 5 years.
5. Pressure on rescue centres. Nationwide, RSPCA has seen a 14% increase in the number of cats, with 5,364 cats needing space in 2024. BCDH raised and rehomed 121 kittens last year. To take in a pregnant mum and help her raise her litter in our rescue centre costs us approximately £1650 in care.
What actually happens when neutering?
Neutering is a common procedure that vets have practiced many times. Our Head Vet Michaela performed 100 neuters in one day when volunteering in Asia!
Follow your vet’s pre-operation instructions carefully – this will involve control over food and water intake the night and morning before your vet visit.
At the vets, they will be given a light sedative, before heading to the surgery room to receive a full anaesthetic and pain relief for the operation.
Male cats
The scrotum is shaved, and a small incision is made through which the testicles are removed. In kittens it is quite similar to shelling a pea! The cuts are so small they probably won’t even have stitches, and the wound will heal up itself. In older males, it may be a larger wound that requires stitches and a slightly longer healing time.
Female cats
Most cats have a ‘flank spay’ which is entering through the side of their abdomen. The skin will be shaved along their side and an incision is made along their flank. Inside, a small cut is made which allows them to remove the uterus and ovaries, and a stitch is added to ‘tie off’ the cervix. The abdomen and skin are then stitched back together layer by layer. It leaves a line of stitches which is quickly covered as their fur grows back.
Recovery care
You should be able to take your cat home the same day. Make them a quiet spot, maybe confine them to a room so you can keep an eye on them. They will be sleepy and disorientated for about a day.
You will probably be given a cone to stop your cat nibbling their wounds, you can also get soft buster collars or body suits.
You will have a follow up vet appointment, probably two appointments for your female cat, but always call your vet if you are concerned about how they are healing or if they are off their food for more than 48 hours.
Keep your cat indoors and reduce playtimes so they can rest. Male cats can go back outside as soon as they are healed. Female cats with need a couple of weeks’ rest.
