What age can u get a cat fixed

From around the age of 4 months, kittens reach sexual maturity and are therefore capable of breeding and producing kittens themselves. Most people do not have the time or desire to breed from their cat and do not wish to add to the number of unwanted cats and kittens already looking for homes. Neutering a cat – castration in the male (removal of the testes), and spaying the female (removal of the ovaries and uterus) – not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring but also curbs unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain diseases.

Reasons for neutering female cats

• Population control. It is important to neuter a female cat before she can have kittens herself. This happens very quickly depending on breed, time of year born and individual development. The first season usually occurs around six months but can be earlier. Queens can have up to three litters in a year.
• Control of nuisance. Female cats will ‘call’ (come into season and be receptive to the male cat) regularly, about every three weeks during sexually active times of the year if they do not get pregnant. Having entire female cats in an area will attract entire males with the attendant problems of spraying, fighting and caterwauling.
• Welfare issues. Unwanted kittens may not be cared for and are likely to suffer from various infectious diseases such as cat ‘flu or worse. There are unlikely to be enough new homes available for them.
• Health issues. Female cats which are not neutered are more likely to suffer from pyometra (infection of the womb) later in life and with mammary tumours. Queens with infectious diseases may pass these on to their kittens. Pregnancy and birth are also not without risk.
• Wildlife issues. Cats with kittens will hunt more actively and if they are not being fed will need to catch more wildlife to feed their kittens.

Reasons for neutering male cats

• Control of nuisance. Unneutered male cats are likely to stray over a large area, will mark their territory with a very pungent spray and are much more likely to fight – with attendant noise nuisance.
• Health issues. Fighting males are much more likely to spread diseases such as FIV and FeLV to other cats. They are also likely to suffer from fight injuries such as abscesses. Because they wander over a large area they are also at greater risk of suffering road traffic accidents.
• Pet issues. Unneutered male cats will wander from home and may not return. They may also spray inside the home and may be aggressive to their owners. Therefore it is desirable to neuter kittens early enough to ensure that the above problems are prevented. Most people do not want to live with an unneutered male cat.
• Population control. Obviously, male cats do not have kittens themselves and it only takes one male in an area to make lots of female cats pregnant, so neutering a female cat makes a great deal more difference to limiting numbers, but it all helps!

Sexing kittens

Kittens, especially young kittens, can be hard to sex, and therefore, mistakes are often made. If you are in any doubt you should ask your vet (they will check prior to neutering anyway). See how to tell what sex a kitten is 

Spaying a female

In the past, it has been suggested that all female cats should be allowed to have one litter of kittens. However, this is totally unnecessary and of no benefit whatsoever to the cat. It is, therefore, preferable to have a female spayed before she reaches sexual maturity. Once sexual maturity is reached, the cat will begin to come into season or ‘call’. Cycles of sexual activity typically occur every two to three weeks, and when a cat is ‘calling’, as its name implies, this can be a very noisy affair! (click here for more information on cat reproduction) Certain drugs can be used to suppress the sexual cycle, but some of these carry quite a risk of significant side effects in cats and are not recommended for long-term use. If you are not going to breed from your female kitten, having her spayed will eliminate the sexual behaviour, the possibility of unplanned pregnancies and the risk of diseases associated with the genital tract later in life.

The spaying operation involves the administration of a general anaesthetic and the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus through an incision made on the flank or belly of the cat. The fur at the site of the incision will have to be shaved before surgery and your vet will ask you to withhold food from the evening prior to the anaesthetic. Usually, your kitten will be able to return home the same day and any skin sutures are generally removed after 7 to 10 days.

Castrating a male

Castrating a male is equally important as spaying a female to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, entire male cats have a strong tendency to roam, to be aggressive to other males, to fight and to mark their territory by spraying urine (often indoors!). The aggressive behaviour puts an uncastrated male at much higher risk of serious infectious disease such as feline immunodeficiency virus (feline ‘AIDS’) and feline leukaemia virus, both of which are transmitted through cat bites.

Castration involves removing both testes under general anaesthetic through a small incision into the scrotum. As with the spay operation, withholding food from the previous evening will be required to minimise potential anaesthetic complications, and the kitten can usually go home the same day. Usually, the skin incisions for a castration are so small that sutures are not required. 

Postoperative care

Cats usually recover from the neutering operation remarkably quickly. They may be a little drowsy for a few hours, but by the next day, they are usually very lively again. It is sensible to try to keep your kitten fairly quiet for a day or two to allow the internal wounds some time to heal. However, if your kitten seems unusually quiet or dull you should contact your vet. Also, if your kitten starts to lick or scratch excessively at the skin sutures, contact your vet to get a dressing or special collar to prevent any damage being done to the wound.

It is important to remember that once a cat has been neutered, there is a stronger tendency for it to become overweight. You may, therefore, need to adjust the amount of food you provide should your cat start to put on too much weight.

Dark patches of fur in Siamese and related breeds

The skin temperature is important in determining the hair colour of some cats (eg, Siamese cats). This means that when a patch of hair is shaved (eg, for the spay operation) the new hair may grow back a darker colour. However, this is only temporary and, as further hair growth occurs, the dark hairs are replaced by normal lighter coloured hairs.

Age for neutering

Traditionally male and female cats have often been neutered at six months of age, but this is after many cats reach sexual maturity and not based on any scientific rationale. For social, health and population control reasons, it is now recommended neutering should routinely take place at around 4 months of age.

The timing of neutering is discussed in more detail in the Cat Group Policy statement

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If you have recently added a kitten to your family, you may be wondering if it is important to have your kitten fixed. Our Hoquiam vets explain why spaying or neutering your cat not only prevents unwanted litters but can help to curb many unwanted behaviors. 

Should you get your cat fixed?

There are millions of cats each and every year in the U.S. that are brought to the various shelters across the country. 

The absolute best way to help reduce the number of unwanted cats in Hoquiam area shelters is by spaying or neutering your cat. 

While population control is one of the reasons you should have your cat or kitten spayed or neutered there are also many health-related reasons why it is a good idea. If you have your kitten spayed or neutered it can not only help to prevent unwanted behaviors but also to lower the risk of your cat developing various health-related diseases.

What is the difference between spaying and neutering?

Having your pet fixed is a term that is used to describe both the spaying of female animals and the neutering of male animals.   

Spaying Female Cats

When a cat is spayed, the uterus and ovaries, or sometimes just the ovaries, of the female cat are surgically removed. 

Having your cat spayed will prevent her from being able to produce kittens.

Neutering Male Cats

Neutering, or castration as it is sometimes called, involves the removal of the male cat's testes. 

Having your male cat neutered will prevent him from fathering kittens.

Benefits of Spaying Your Female Cat 

Population Control

Cats are able to begin having kittens by the time they are as young as 6 months old. This makes it incredibly important to have them spayed as soon as possible in order to avoid unwanted litters.

It is also possible for your female cat to have up to 4 litters of kittens in a single year. When we consider that the average litter can range in size from two kittens (from a young mother) to as many as ten kittens, that is a staggering number of unwanted cats.

Animal Health

Spaying your kitten before she has her first heat can help to reduce her risk of pyometra (infection of the womb) as well as mammary tumors. It's also important to note that female cats carrying infectious diseases can pass serious conditions on to their kittens who go on to spread the disease even further. Pregnancy and the birth process can be risky for young cats, and costly to their owners. 

Save Wildlife

It is estimated that cats in the USA kill between 1.4 billion and 3.7 billion birds each year. The best way we can help save the lives of countless birds and other wildlife is to ensure that we do our part to keep the population of stray cats to a minimum.

Deter Nuisance Behaviors

When female cats are not spayed they will go into heat often and at various times of the year, this will attract male cats to your home. These male cats can cause a variety of issues such as spraying around your property and fighting other male cats. Spaying your female cat can help to keep male cats out of your backyard.

Benefits of Neutering Your Male Cat

Population Control 

While you do need to worry about your male cat having kittens themselves, they can father kittens through many female cats. That's why neutering male cats is as important as spaying females if we want to help decrease the population of stray and unwanted cats.

Health Issues

Neutering your male cat may help slow the spread of serious cat diseases such as Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) that are often spread between cats during fights. Neutering your make cat can help to decrease the amount of aggression he shows and will make fights less likely if he is an outdoor cat. Neutered males are known to not wander as far from home which will help to keep them safe.

Deter Undesirable Behaviors

Unneutered male cats can cause issues within the home such as spraying and potentially show aggression towards their owners. Having your male kitten neutered while young can help to prevent these behaviors from starting. Having them neutered will also decrease the likelihood of your male cat wandering off in order to find a female. Having your male cat neutered will mean less spraying and less smell as well as less fighting and injuries. These things alone are a great reason to have your kitten neutered.

When Should You Get Your Cat Fixed?

Every pet is unique and your vet will be able to advise you on when you should get your cat spayed or neutered. However, typically kittens can be spayed or neutered at about four months old. Adult cats can also be spayed or neutered.

To find out more about getting your kitten spayed or neutered, contact our Hoquiam veterinary clinic today for more information or to book an appointment.