Why You Should Get Your Cat Neutered or Spayed: Benefits and Risks
- Rachel
- Sep 16, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Feb 21
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In this article:
Why You Should Get Cats Neutered or Spayed
The subject of neutering (male) or spaying (female) cats, otherwise known as desexing, can be one of huge debate; nevertheless, it must be addressed. Sterilisation, when done properly, can have many short and long-term health benefits for cats and the feline population as a whole.
There are an estimated 480 million stray cats in the world. The UK alone makes up nine million, with a feral population of one-and-a-half million. These are some tragic numbers and responsibility starts at home.
It can also be dangerous for females to go through pregnancy before reaching maturity, so there's a lot to consider whether you plan on breeding your cats or not. This article isn't intended to alter anyone's beliefs or opinions, but simply to educate so you can make an informed decision on the health and wellbeing of your kitty companions.
Benefits of Desexing Cats
Desexing your cat not only prevents unwanted pregnancy but lowers the risk of some serious health problems. In males it can prevent testicular and prostate cancers.
Spaying females under 6 months of age (and before their first heat cycle) prevents cancer of the ovaries and uterus; reduces the risk of mammary cancer and stops uterine infections. It also eliminates behaviours that occur when they're in heat, such as yowling and crying.
Some people believe that female cats should have at least one litter of kittens before being spayed, but there are no proven benefits to this theory. In fact, sterilisation prevents pregnancy-related issues - which you should discuss with a registered vet if you are considering breeding your cat.
The loss of foetuses can result in a potentially fatal infection if they remain in the uterus. Difficult births (known as dystocia) while rare, may require veterinary intervention such as an emergency c-section to save both the mother and her kittens.
There's also the possibility that a mother or "queen" could reject her babies if they're sick, weak or physically deformed. This is so she can prioritise the healthy kittens, as in the wild it comes down to a literal case of survival of the fittest.
It's not unusual for a queen to kill the weakest members of her litter, so if you notice any signs of rejection then it's crucial to remove the kitten and get it checked over by a vet to rule out health issues.
Desexing can prevent both males and females from urine spraying, but males are more likely to exhibit other territorial behaviours including aggression towards other cats and humans. A neutered male is less likely to wander away from home and get into fights or traffic accidents, which in itself puts them at a higher risk of injury.
Related post: Aggressive Behaviour in Cats: 8 Types and Causes
Cats are well-equipped to deal with predators in the wild, but chunks of metal travelling at high speeds are a different threat entirely. We cannot compare the domestic cat to wild cats in their natural habitat.
As street cats live in close proximity to one another, they can also contract potentially fatal diseases like Feline Aids and the Feline Leukaemia Virus; and parasites. This can be risky for outdoor cats if they roam away from home or into other territories and neighbourhoods.
The fact of the matter is that hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats and kittens are euthanised all over the world every single year. Don't contribute to this devastating statistic by adding more to the death toll.
What Age Should Cats Be Desexed?
The ideal age for desexing cats is a subject of debate in the veterinary world. It's generally advised that kittens should be desexed before they reach sexual maturity at around 3-4 months old, but the procedure is safe to carry out from 8-10 weeks (or when they reach a weight of 1kg). The earlier, the better, as it helps to prevent the development of antisocial behaviours and can aid harmony in multi-cat households.
While a female cat can get pregnant as early as four months old, this poses a serious risk to her health as she's not fully developed. Carrying kittens uses up vital nutrients needed for her own growth.
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More research is needed to examine the different ages in feline sterilisation. In 2016, a veterinary task force was put together under the Marian's Dream Foundation and did exactly that. This led to the establishment of the Feline Fix by Five campaign.
Given the known benefits and lack of evidence for harm related to the age at which the procedure is carried out, advocators are calling for both vets and associations to recommend desexing cats by five months of age. This could potentially bump up the costs for cat parents even more, especially in the UK since microchipping became a legal requirement as of June 2024.
Nevertheless, the aim is that increasing the number of sterilised cats will lead to less unplanned breeding, and thus reduce the number of strays and ferals that are sentenced to lives of suffering and anguish.
Sterilisation Procedure
Spaying a female cat involves removal of the ovaries and uterus through a small incision while she's under general anaesthetic. Aftercare mainly consists of keeping an eye on the scar in case it appears swollen, weeping or bleeding. Depending on the type of stitches used, cats may try to pull at them.
Neutering or castrating a male is also carried out under general anaesthetic and involves removing the testes through a small incision in the scrotum. There's usually no need for stitches as the incision heals very quickly and it's a more straightforward procedure than spaying.
Most cats and kittens will recover in no time at all, in fact my boys were back to swinging off the curtains as soon as they got home! I've had lots of pets desexed, including a few rabbits, and never had any post-surgery issues.
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Your vet will be able to address any concerns you have, and you may be instructed to keep cats indoors for a few days. Depending on the vet's policies, female cats might stay at the clinic overnight for observation or have to wear a cone collar so they don't pick at stitches. A post-surgery check-up is also recommended.
Aftercare usually consists of keeping cats hydrated by offering plenty of water and making sure they have a normal appetite. Pain medication or antibiotics might also be given, but the most important thing is quiet and rest.
Related post: How to Prepare Cats for a Vet Visit and Reduce Stress
Risks of Sterilisation
According to the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilisation, there is currently no evidence to support an increased risk of complications or long-term health issues with sterilisation carried out on cats aged 6-14 weeks or older than 16 weeks. The main concerns amongst vets are the risks associated with performing surgery on young patients and recovery from anaesthetic.
The best person to advise owners is a registered vet, but some of these risks (although rare) include:
The possibility of hypothermia due to low body fat.
An inability to break down drugs as quickly as adult patients.
Susceptibility to dehydration.
Brain damage from lack of oxygen.
An experienced vet, the correct preparation and continuous monitoring will allow for as smooth a procedure as possible. As with anything related to surgery, it's never going to be completely risk free.
Breeding Cats
Breeding cats is not a decision that should be taken lightly, and your first point of call should always be a vet or reputable breeder who can guide you through the process. Some factors to consider include:
Making sure Mum and Dad are healthy with no known diseases or genetic conditions that could be passed onto their offspring.
Choosing cats that are of good temperaments, especially females that are able to care for their litter. Cats with behavioural problems may reject kittens.
Introducing a female cat to a male during her fertile period and having a good understanding of the mating process.
Taking into account a cat's age and ensuring they're fully grown and an ideal weight for a successful pregnancy.
Preventing overbreeding and knowing if or how many times a female has given birth previously.
While breeding cats can be an exciting and rewarding process, it's not all about producing a litter of cute kittens. You must prioritise the welfare and happiness of cats before mating, during the pregnancy and after the eventual birth.
This means being prepared for any complications, such as a queen rejecting her kittens, and having a backup plan in place. Newborns are unable to fend for themselves, so it'll be down to you to care for them or make suitable fostering arrangements.
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Consider too the financial burdens, from initial health screenings and veterinary care to providing resources such as food and bedding for potentially several other cats. Even if you plan on having kittens adopted, they should remain with Mum for the first few months.
Perhaps the main question you should ask yourself is: why do I want to breed cats in the first place? The purpose of selling kittens off for quick cash is as poor a reason as leaving your unsterilised cats to roam free, without care or consideration for the consequences. Responsible ownership is crucial, and if you're not ready or willing to be a grandparent then make that appointment - it's not as scary as it sounds!
Summary
While the moral or ethical arguments for desexing cats can be a topic of debate, the benefits far outweigh the risks. To recap, sterilisation has the following advantages:
Prevents reproductive cancers (affects roughly 32% of cats).
Reduces the risk of mammary cancer in females, of which 85% are malignant.
Prevents uterine infections.
Eliminates crying and yowling when in heat.
Reduces antisocial behaviours such as urine spraying and territorial aggression.
Helps to stop males from wandering or roaming.
Avoids dangers associated with giving birth too young.
Less chance of unwanted litters.
Promotes a stress-free multi-cat household.
Improves the relationship between cats and humans.
As well as benefitting a cat's physical health and emotional wellbeing, getting cats desexed has a much larger impact on communities where the feral population is out of control. We may not see it as much in the Western world, particularly in the UK with help from animal welfare organisations, government funding and veterinary care; but that doesn't mean the issue doesn't exist.
The following statistics, while shocking, speak for themselves:
There are almost as many stray cats in the world as there are domestic.
Approximately 230,000 cats get hit by cars in the UK every year - that's about 630 per day!
It's estimated that around 360,000 cats go missing or are stolen annually in the UK, making them the second most commonly stolen pet after dogs.
While sterilising cats won't protect them from traffic accidents or predatory humans, it does lower the chance of males roaming and females looking for a mate when in heat. Even if you plan on keeping your cats indoors, with so many health benefits, the minor risks of surgery are worth the long-term gains.
Are you for or against the sterilisation of domestic and stray cats? What age were your kitties desexed and how was the procedure? Share your experiences in the comments to help those who might be considering surgery.
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