Neutering (the surgical act of castrating a male or spaying a female) is an important part of owning a cat, but it can seem a little mysterious to many cat owners. What exactly does getting your cat ‘done’ mean? Is it risky? Why is it recommended?

To mark World Spay Day on 27th February, we’ve busted some of the common neutering misconceptions about cats.  

Table of contents

Myth: The operation will hurt

Whether your cat is male or female, the vet will give them a general anaesthetic with pain relief for their neutering procedure, so they won’t feel a thing. For female cats, the surgery lasts for about twenty minutes, and for the boys, it takes as little as five minutes. You’ll be able to drop your cat off and pick them back up on the same day. They will usually recover quickly, particularly when they’re young! Almost all modern practices give cats pain relief to go home with, so there’s no reason for them to be uncomfortable after surgery. Neutering doesn’t change their personality or cause lasting distress. Once they get over the minor stress of the initial vet visit, they will go back to being the same pet you know and love. 

Myth: It’s too expensive

Neutering costs vary but it’s around £140 to spay a female cat and about £100 to castrate a male. 

If you’re worried that you can’t afford to get your cat neutered, Cats Protection may be able to help. They offer financial assistance to cat owners on benefits or low incomes through a means tested neutering scheme. To find out if you’re eligible for vouchers, call the neutering helpline 03000 12 12 12 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-1pm).

Myth: My cat needs to have one litter first

There is no benefit for a cat to have ‘just one litter’ before being neutered. Cats live in the moment, and they don’t grieve missing out on their chance of being a parent. Breeding can be draining for female cats and can be risky too. In fact, they will be much healthier and happier if they have the operation before they reach sexual maturity. 

Myth: I need to wait until they’re six months old

Traditionally, cats were neutered from six months of age, but current scientific data indicates that there are no disadvantages in neutering at a younger age. As kittens can reach sexual maturity and breed from four months, this is the age most vets recommend you neutering your cat. 

Myth: They’ll gain weight

Neutered cats require much less food because their bodies have less work to do to burn off calories. If you keep feeding them the same amount after they’ve been neutered, it’s true that they could gain weight. So just reduce the amount you give them to keep them healthy, and it will save you money too! There are specially formulated ‘neutered cat’ diets you can try, if you feel your cat might be piling on the pounds, but reducing their usual food a little should do the trick.

Myth: They’re an indoor cat, so don’t need to be neutered

While an indoor-only cat is less likely to meet a potential mate, there is still a risk that they could breed if they ever escaped. Their efforts to find a mate make them the most determined escape artists.

And have you ever tried living with an entire tom (male cat) or entire queen (female cat)? Entire toms have very strongly scented urine and will happily spray in the home which can make them very anti-social housemates to have around. Females will call every two weeks when they come into heat, and this can be incessant and hard to endure as well!  

And finally… 

Myth: They wouldn’t breed with their brother/sister/parents

Erm, actually they would! Cats readily breed with their brothers, sisters and parents, so if you have cats from the same family living together, they may still produce kittens. Get them all neutered as soon as you can to avoid unwanted litters!

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