Neutering is one of the most common procedures performed in first opinion veterinary practices. In light of years of research, it is now recognised that neutering is a predisposing factor for obesity and weight gain. So, if your cat has been neutered or is scheduled to be, it is worth considering their dietary management, but don’t worry… your veterinary practice will assist you with this! This article will discuss neutering in cats, why and what dietary changes are recommended to ensure optimum health for your feline friend.

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Why do we neuter cats?

As stated above, neutering is one of the most common procedures in first opinion veterinary practices, but why? Neutering is the surgical procedure to remove reproductive organs; in males their testicles are removed and in females their ovaries and uterus are removed. 

Firstly, neutering them stops them from having unwanted litters of kittens! Sadly, rescue centres are inundated with unwanted cats and kittens. Therefore by neutering them you are not adding to this growing problem. Secondly, neutering females prevents them from developing a serious, life-threatening womb infection called a pyometra. Also, by neutering females they will stop coming into ‘heat’ and cats in season can display behavioural changes and signs of stress. 

Unneutered male cats can also demonstrate stress and they may roam around to desperately seek a female. Additionally, unneutered male cats sometimes display more aggression and frequently fight with other cats. This often leads to injuries such as cat bite abscesses, and cat bites are a transmission route for feline AIDS (FIV). Also, neutering male cats aims to reduce their ‘spraying’ and scent-marking behaviour, although this is not guaranteed. 

Speak to your local vet to discuss neutering for your cat, they will discuss pros and cons and will ensure it is a suitable option for your pet. 

The link between neutering and obesity/weight gain is more recognised in dogs, but cats suffer from this too! The link between neutering, food intake and obesity is quite complex, but I will attempt to summarise the main points. What I have discovered from exploring this link is that neutering cats is linked with obesity if there is no change in diet or a feeding plan in place at the time of the surgery.

At the time of neutering, the sources of their sex hormones are removed. (The vast majority of testosterone and oestrogen are made in the testes and ovaries, respectively). This leads to a reduction in their metabolic rate and energy demands. Therefore, cats who are fed the exact same diet as pre-neutering will consequently gain weight. Neutered cats only require 75-80% of the food needed by entire cats to achieve optimum weight (Root et al, 1996). Neutered cats will almost always naturally increase their food intake if it is available to them to do so. Therefore, to achieve a nutritional balance and maintain an ideal body condition score, diet changes are required.

I won’t dive into discussing in too much length the impact of weight gain for your feline friend in this article, but it is important to know that it can be detrimental to your pet’s overall health. There are clear links between feline obesity and risk factors for feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD), diabetes and mobility issues. 

Diet recommendations for neutered cats

Nowadays, pet food manufacturers have such an enormous range of diets available and some of them are now tailored for neutered pets. Generally, the diets that are specifically formulated for neutered pets have slightly lower energy levels and calories. Furthermore, some neutered or ‘sterilised’ diets are designed to make your cat feel fuller for longer, reducing their desire to continuously eat. 

However, you could feed your cat the most ideal diet in the world, but the most important factor of dietary management comes from you as the owner. We advise owners to be strict with daily rations and to feed an allocated amount of food daily, rather than allowing them to graze ‘ad-lib’. Speak to your local vet to discuss your cat’s diet after neutering; ideally even before so that you have a structured plan in place to ensure their ideal weight is achieved. 

Conclusion

To conclude, in answer to the question, ‘do neutered cats need different diets?’ the answer is ‘ideally yes!’ Dietary management and owner compliance is the key to ensuring your cat maintains an optimum weight following neutering. 

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