What Is Cat Neutering?

Cat neutering refers to the castration or the removal of the testicles of a male cat so that he cannot impregnate a female cat. Only a veterinary surgeon can properly and safely perform cat neutering surgery.

Cat neutering surgery includes the following procedures:

• Your veterinarian will use general anesthesia for the procedure to avoid any discomfort felt by the cat

• The attending staff monitors his breathing and heart rate oxygen levels, plane of anesthesia, and overall health during the anesthetic procedure

• Local anesthetic is applied to the area

• The surgeon makes a small incision in the front of the scrotum

• Each testicle is removed and the blood supply and vas deferens (spermatic cord) are tied off

Your veterinarian will provide postoperative instructions for you to follow.

Although cat neutering could result in some discomfort right after surgery, your veterinarian will take various measures for pain relief. Additional steps taken at home will facilitate a safe and comfortable recovery including:

• Providing your cat with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals

• Keep your cat indoors and attempt to limit running and jumping

• Preventing your cat from licking the incision site, which may cause infection, by monitoring your cat and utilizing an E-collar if licking can not be prevented otherwise

• Checking the incision site daily to confirm proper healing

• Looking for any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, contacting your veterinarian. Also, calling your veterinarian if your cat is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting, and has diarrhea, or if you have any other concerns following surgery

  
  

What Is Spaying A Cat?

Spaying a cat refers to the ovariohysterectomy or the removal of portions of the reproductive system of a female cat so she cannot get pregnant and give birth to kittens. Cat spaying is a surgical procedure that a veterinary surgeon can properly and safely perform. Spaying a cat is a very routine surgical procedure, and it carries a minimal risk for serious medical complications.

Spaying a cat includes the following procedures:

• Your veterinarian will utilize general anesthesia to avoid any discomfort during the procedure

• The attending staff monitors your cat's breathing and heart rate oxygen levels, plane of anesthesia, and overall health during the anesthetic procedure

• The surgeon makes a small incision in your cat's abdomen and removes the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus

• Your veterinarian closes the incision with sutures in the muscle layers and skin glue on the skin.

  
  

Your veterinarian can also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow. Although spaying a cat could result in some discomfort right after surgery, your veterinarian will take various measures for pain relief. The steps to ensuring your cat has the most comfortable and safe recovery possible from spaying surgery are identical to the recovery recommendations provided above for neutering.

If you are concerned about spaying your cat, we urge you to ask the veterinarian at your next visit for help making an informed and responsible decision.

Why Should You Spay Or Neuter Your Cat?

There are many valid reasons to spay or neuter your cat. According to AmericanHumane.org Approximately 3.7 million animals are euthanized at shelters annually because there just are not enough willing and able adopters for them. Spay and neuter procedures ensure that you are not adding to this number, and that no offspring your cat has ends up a fatal statistic.

​​​​​​​To support this unpleasant reality, consider the fact that, according to Feral Cat Project, a non-spayed female cat can be responsible for producing up to 100 other cats throughout her lifetime, including the litters of kittens her un-spayed kittens will eventually go on to have. This incredible number can be prevented though, simply by caring enough to spay or neuter your cat.

When Should You Neuter A Cat?

We recommend spaying and neutering between 4-6 months of age. In some cases, male cats can become sexually mature before 6 months of age, which means waiting to neuter a cat can cause accidental pregnancy. Also, kittens tend to be more resilient to minor surgical procedures than adult cats. Therefore, undertaking cat neutering surgery sooner rather than later helps ensure minimized risk and quicker recovery time. If you are not sure when to neuter or spay a cat, please consult the veterinarian on your next visit.