Understanding Cat Neutering
Neutering, also known as castration, refers to the surgical removal of a male cat’s testicles. It is a common procedure performed on household pets for health, behavior, and population control reasons. The surgery eliminates the production of testosterone, causing sterility and reducing the desire to roam, fight with other males, and spray urine.
There are many benefits to neutering cats. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), neutered cats are less likely to develop prostate issues or testicular cancer. Neutering can also reduce wandering, aggression, and urine spraying. The ASPCA states over 2.7 million cats enter shelters in the U.S. every year, so neutering helps control cat overpopulation.
Some common concerns about neutering include fears over personality change, obesity risk, and surgical complications. However, most studies find minimal long-term personality changes post-neutering. Obesity risk can be managed through proper diet and exercise. Major complications from the routine surgery are rare, especially when performed by an experienced veterinarian. Overall, for most cats, the proven health and behavior benefits outweigh any minor risks.
When to Neuter a Female Cat
Many experts suggest spaying a female cat before her first heat cycle for optimal health and behavior benefits. According to the ASPCA, kittens as young as 8 weeks old can be safely spayed or neutered as long as they weigh at least 2 pounds. However, veterinarians typically recommend spaying around 5-6 months of age.
Spaying before a cat’s first heat offers several advantages:
- Eliminates the constant crying and nervous behavior associated with heat cycles
- Greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer and uterine infections if done before 6 months of age
- Avoids contributing to cat overpopulation since an unspayed female can have up to 3 litters per year
Therefore, for the health and behavior benefits, vets suggest spaying your female cat between 5-6 months, before she reaches sexual maturity and goes into heat for the first time.
Preparing for the Surgery
Properly preparing your cat for spay surgery is an important part of the process that helps ensure the safety and success of the procedure. Here are some key steps for getting your cat ready:
Schedule a pre-surgery veterinary checkup. This allows the vet to evaluate your cat’s overall health and determine if any pre-existing conditions need to be addressed before surgery. The vet will check vital signs, listen to the heart and lungs, and make sure your cat is an appropriate candidate for anesthesia and surgery.[1]
Ask your vet to run pre-operative bloodwork. Blood tests can detect issues like anemia, dehydration, infection, or kidney/liver problems. Addressing any abnormalities ahead of time helps minimize surgical risks.[2]
Fast your cat before surgery. Withholding food for 12-24 hours allows the stomach to empty prior to anesthesia. Your vet will provide specific fasting instructions, but most recommend no food after midnight the night before surgery.
Withhold water for a shorter fast of 2-4 hours. Cats should have access to water up until a few hours before surgery to avoid dehydration.
Keep your cat calm and comfortable at home leading up to surgery day. This helps reduce stress.
The Spay Surgery Procedure
The spay surgery for cats is typically performed by a licensed veterinarian and involves removing the ovaries and uterus while the cat is under general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
Before surgery begins, the cat will be given a pre-medication injection to help relax her. This is followed by an injection of general anesthesia to fully sedate the cat and make sure she feels no pain during surgery.
Once anesthetized, the cat is intubated to maintain a clear airway. The veterinarian will then make an incision into the cat’s abdomen, either with a midline incision along the belly or a flank incision on the side. The ovaries and uterus are located and removed through this incision.
The veterinarian may use dissolvable sutures internally and will close the external incision with sutures or surgical glue. See this article for more details on the surgical procedure.
After surgery is complete, the cat is monitored closely until she awakens from anesthesia. Pain medication may be prescribed for a few days after surgery to keep her comfortable during initial recovery.
Recovery After Spay Surgery
The recovery period after a cat is spayed can last 7-14 days depending on the individual cat and procedure. It’s important to follow all post-operative instructions from your veterinarian to support your cat through a healthy recovery.
During the first 24 hours after surgery, your cat will likely be groggy and sleepy from the anesthesia. She should be kept warm, quiet, and monitored closely. Most cats are sent home within 12-24 hours after the procedure. Once home, confine your cat to a comfortable recovery space like a cat carrier, bathroom, or small room without furniture she could jump on for 7-10 days. This restricts activity so the incision can heal properly.
Your vet will provide pain medication, often an opioid like buprenorphine, to give your cat for a few days after surgery. Look out for signs of pain including reduced appetite, vocalizing/meowing, aggression, hiding, restlessness, or reluctance to move. Call your vet if you observe these behaviors after medication.
You’ll need to limit exercise, play, and excitement during the recovery period. Allow outside the recovery space for very short periods the first few days, then gradually increase time outside over 7-10 days. Avoid bathing during recovery. Inspect the incision site twice daily for swelling, redness, discharge or openings which could indicate infection or complications. Contact your vet immediately if observed.
Most cats will return fully to their normal routines and behaviors within 1-2 weeks after spaying as the incision heals and discomfort resolves. However, be cautious about resuming full activity before the incision is fully closed to prevent complications. Discuss an appropriate activity schedule with your veterinarian.
Caring for Your Cat After Spaying
After your cat has been spayed, she will need proper care and monitoring during her recovery. This is an important time to follow your veterinarian’s instructions to ensure proper healing. Here are some tips for caring for your cat after spay surgery:
Proper medication is key during recovery. Make sure to give all prescribed medications as directed, such as pain medication and antibiotics. Pain levels can spike 3-4 days after surgery, so stay diligent with pain medication during this time. Never give your cat human painkillers or mix medications without veterinary approval.
Check the incision site 1-2 times per day. Look for signs of redness, swelling, discharge or opening of the incision. Report any concerns to your vet. Don’t allow your cat to lick, bite or scratch at the incision site, as this can cause infection. An e-collar may be needed.
Prepare an easy-access litter box, as your cat may be hesitant to climb after surgery. Scoop waste from the box 1-2 times per day to keep it clean. Litter material can irritate healing incisions, so avoid clumping litter. Put food and water bowls close together near the litter box for easy access.
It’s important to limit activity during recovery. Keep your cat confined indoors and restrict jumping, running and rough play. Cats should be kept indoors where they can rest comfortably and heal from surgery. Monitor energy levels and report any concerns to your veterinarian.
Long-Term Care After Spaying
Spaying a female cat can lead to some long-term changes in behavior, eating habits, and health. Here are some things to expect in the months and years after spaying:
Changes in Behavior
Spaying reduces the production of estrogen, which can curb certain behaviors driven by hormones. Your cat may become less active, aggressive, vocal, and territorial after being spayed.1 She’s less likely to try to escape and roam to find a mate. Spaying may also reduce urine marking and aggression toward other cats in the household.
Changes in Eating Habits
With the drop in estrogen, some cats tend to gain weight more easily after being spayed. You may need to monitor your cat’s food intake and exercise to help avoid obesity.2 Discuss an appropriate diet and feeding schedule with your vet.
Long-Term Benefits
Spaying provides major health benefits later in life. It nearly eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and pyometra (uterine infection), which can be life-threatening.3 Spaying also reduces the chances of mammary cancer. Your cat can live a longer, healthier life without the stresses of heat cycles and pregnancy.
Alternatives to Traditional Spay
While surgery has been the standard method for spaying cats for decades, several promising alternatives are emerging that avoid invasive surgery. One alternative is injectable sterilants, which are solutions injected into the cat that induce sterility. Research on sterilization injections like Calcium Chloride and zinc gluconate shows they can permanently prevent pregnancy in cats without surgery, according to a 2023 article in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/06/spaying-sterilizing-cat-nonsurgical-injection/674300/). While not yet approved in the US, injectable sterilants offer a less invasive, less risky, and less expensive option than spay surgery.
Other alternatives include clips, rings, or tattooing to block the fallopian tubes and prevent eggs from reaching the uterus. According to Parsemus.org (https://www.parsemus.org/2020/04/time-to-consider-alternatives-to-surgical-spay-and-neuter/), these methods sterilize cats while preserving hormones, avoiding potential long-term effects of full ovary/uterus removal. While still experimental, they show promise as viable options for feline population control without surgery’s risks and complications.
More research is still needed, but these new approaches may soon provide alternatives for pet owners wanting permanent sterilization for their cats without invasive traditional spay surgery.
Cost of Spaying a Cat
The cost of spaying a female cat can vary quite a bit depending on your location, the veterinarian performing the procedure, and other factors. However, the average cost ranges from $200 to $500.
Some of the main factors that affect the total cost of spaying a cat include:
- Geographic location – Prices tend to be higher in major metro areas and coastal cities.
- Veterinarian fees – Prices can vary greatly between vets even within the same city.
- Additional services – Things like bloodwork, anesthesia, fluids, and pain medication may increase the final bill.
- Cat’s age and health – Spaying younger, healthy cats tends to be cheaper.
There are some ways cat owners can reduce spay costs through financial assistance programs like the ASPCA and Humane Society, which sometimes offer free or discounted spay/neuter services. Low-cost spay/neuter clinics are another affordable option, with prices typically ranging from $50-$125 (sources: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/low-cost-spayneuter-programs, https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/are-you-having-trouble-affording-your-pet).
Making the Best Decision
When deciding whether or not to spay your female cat, it is important to carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits to make the best decision for your pet’s health and well-being.
On the pro side, spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancers, greatly reduces the chance of mammary tumors, and prevents unintended pregnancies.1 It can also reduce undesirable behaviors associated with heat cycles, such as yowling, restlessness, and urine spraying.
However, spaying does come with some risks. Though uncommon, risks include adverse reactions to anesthesia, infections, and post-operative complications. There is also some evidence linking spaying to increased likelihood of obesity, urinary incontinence, and orthopedic issues later in life.2
Consider your cat’s age, breed, lifestyle, and health when deciding if spaying is right for her. Discuss the pros and cons thoroughly with your veterinarian. With the right information and care, you can make a decision that improves your cat’s health and quality of life.