Neutering cats
Cat SpayAn ovaro-hysterectomy is the medical term for spaying or neutering female cats. The procedure consists of surgical removal of the ovaries and the uterus. Surgery can be performed at any age but is best done at about 6 months of age before the first season.
Reasons for...
- There will be no more heat periods.
- She will be unable to get pregnant - so there will be no unwanted kittens.
- The risk of her getting a potentially life-threatening uterine infection (pyometra) is removed. This is common to older un-neutered female cats.
- The chances of her suffering from hormone induced mammary (breast) cancer can be reduced.
- 'Will it make my cat fat and lazy?' No. Obesity is due to excessive calorie intake. Weight can be controlled with proper feeding and exercise.
- 'Will it change her disposition, personality or intelligence? A cats' personality does not fully develop until 1 year of age. If there is a personality change after spaying at an early age, it would have occurred without surgery
- 'Shouldn't my cat have a litter first?' No. There is no advantage in allowing your cat to have a litter of kittens.
Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles. The operation may be performed on any male cat from 4 -6 months onwards. There is no evidence that neutering at an early age results in obesity, bladder infections or stunted growth.
Reasons for...
- Reduction of the strong, offensive odour of the urine.
- Reduction of the desire to stray or roam.
- Reduction in aggressive behaviour.
- Reduction of territorial marking - spraying urine to mark territory.
- Reduction of territorial fighting - so reducing the risk of Feline Leukaemia.
- Reduction of the cat population - prevention of unwanted kittens.
All general anaesthetics involve some risks. The risk is smaller in young, fit animals than in older cats.