Cat Spay/Neuter: How it Works and What to Expect

Spaying and neutering your cat is one of the most important things you can do not only for their health, but for the health of the global cat population, too. These important procedures provide a number of benefits to our feline companions, but you should always discuss spaying or neutering a cat with your veterinarian prior to making a final decision. To help you learn more about these two common surgeries, we've put together everything you need to know below.

What's the Difference Between a Cat Spay and Neuter?

Cat Spay

A "spay" is the common term for an ovariohysterectomy, which means the removal of the uterus and ovaries. This sterilizes the animal, meaning it is no longer possible for her to get pregnant and she will no longer go through a heat cycle. Because this procedure removes the uterus and ovaries, it can only be performed on female animals.

Cat Neuter

A "neuter" is a castration surgery. This means that the animal's testicles are completely removed, which sterilizes the animal. Sometimes the scrotum — the sac of skin that holds the testicles — is also removed. More often, the scrotum is left behind. Because this procedure removes the testicles, it can only be performed on male animals.

At What Age is it Best to Spay or Neuter Your Cat?

Most veterinarians recommend spaying or neutering your cat around six months of age. Some veterinarians may be comfortable spaying or neutering even younger, so ask your vet for details on their scheduling preferences.

In female cats, it is especially important to spay before the first heat cycle, because going into heat increases your cat's risk of developing mammary tumors later in life.

Whether your cat is male or female, young or old, it's important to always discuss the spay or neuter surgery with your veterinarian prior to scheduling. He or she will be able to tell you the best timing for your cat and will ensure your questions are answered prior to the procedure.

Spaying and neutering offer several health and behavioral benefits for both male and female cats. These routine procedures can improve quality of life and longevity, ensuring you and your feline friend get the most time together possible.

Benefits of Spaying a Cat

Spaying your cat is the best way to prevent an accidental pregnancy from occurring. Not only is an unexpected pregnancy a nuisance, but a new litter of kittens adds to the homeless pet population. Even if homes are found for all kittens in the litter, those are still spots that could have gone to a needy kitten in a shelter! A responsible pet owner always spays their female cats to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Other benefits of spaying include:

• Reduced risk of mammary tumors later in life.
• Reduced risk of pyometra (uterine infection).
• No more heat cycles and associated behaviors.
• Reduced roaming behavior.

Benefits of Neutering a Cat

Male cats are also responsible for their share of unwanted pregnancies — in fact, they can cause many more unwanted pregnancies than a single unaltered female can. They can also get into quite a bit of trouble in their quest to find a female in heat. In addition to eliminating unwanted pregnancies, other benefits of neutering your male cat include:

• Reduced roaming and fighting behavior.
• Less territorial marking behavior (spraying).
• Increased life expectancy.
• Reduced risk of testicular cancer and certain prostate diseases.
• Reduced risk of diseases spread by bite wounds, such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

Cat Spaying/Neutering: What to Expect Before and After Surgery

Before the surgery

The night before the procedure you'll be asked to fast your cat — this means no food after midnight. Your veterinarian will want your cat's stomach to be empty at the time of surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting under anesthesia. It's okay for your cat to continue to have access to clean, fresh water right up until the time of the procedure.

The day of surgery

The morning of the procedure, you will drop your pet off at the veterinary clinic first thing in the morning, where you will likely be asked to fill out some paperwork. You will not have to stay at the clinic to wait for the surgery to be performed.

When it is your pet's turn for surgery, he or she will be placed under anesthesia and will be unconscious for the entire procedure. A neuter procedure is quite fast and your cat will be up and around again in no time. A spay procedure is more involved and takes longer to perform, so your cat will need a little longer to recover from this surgery.

Cat spay/neuter recovery

Once your pet has recovered, your veterinarian should contact you to let you know how everything went, and to set up a discharge time for your pet. In general, your pet will stay at the vet clinic for a few hours following the procedure so the veterinary team can monitor his or her recovery from anesthesia and ensure he or she is awake enough to go home safely.

When you pick your pet up at the end of the day, a member of the veterinary care team should go over your pet's discharge instructions with you. This will include important instructions such as keeping your pet quiet for the next week to allow time for the surgery site to heal. You may also be asked to administer pain medications at home. If you've never administered medications to a cat before, be sure to ask for a demonstration before you leave.

At home, you'll need to monitor your cat closely for any complications from the surgery, such as any pain or discomfort, loss of appetite, fever, swelling or discharge from the surgery site or any other concerns. If any issues arise, be sure to call your veterinarian right away for further instructions. Most cats recover from spaying or neutering without any complications. Even if your cat is doing well, be sure to follow up with your vet for any required recheck appointments or future visits!

Common Questions About Spaying and Neutering

1. Will my cat's personality change after the procedure?

No, personality does not change after spaying or neutering. For a day or two after the procedure your cat may be a little bit groggy or seem "out of it" as a result of the anesthesia used during the procedure. This typically lasts no more than 24 to 48 hours and then he or she will be back to the cat you know and love.

2. Will my cat gain weight after being spayed or neutered?

After being spayed or neutered, your cat's metabolism does slow down. This means you may need to cut back slightly on your cat's food and/or treats in order to maintain a healthy weight. Your cat will only gain excess weight from eating too many calories. Good portion control and limiting treat intake will ensure your cat does not gain weight after the procedure.

3. Will my cat's bad behavior go away after spaying and neutering?

It depends. Some behaviors, like spraying in male cats, do resolve after being neutered. However, other behaviors, like aggression towards a housemate, may not be resolved so easily.

4. What are the risks of spaying or neutering?

Although spaying and neutering are routine procedures, they are still major surgeries and they do have some associated risks. Your pet will be placed under general anesthesia, which does carry some risk of complications including reactions to medications, anaphylactic shock or even death. In female cats, because the procedure takes place inside the abdomen, internal bleeding is also possible, although rare. However, steps are taken throughout the procedure to minimize these risks for your cat.

Following the procedure, you will need to monitor your cat closely for signs of post-operative infection, swelling, pain or discharge from the incision site. Contact your veterinarian right away if any of these signs occur.

Long term complications of spaying or neutering are rarely reported in cats. In dogs, recent research has found a correlation between early spaying and neutering and susceptibility to certain cancers and orthopedic conditions. No such findings have been reported in cats to date.

5. Should I let my cat breed once before spaying or neutering?

No, this is not necessary. Your cat will not know the difference if he or she does not breed prior to be spayed or neutered. Breeding more cats only contributes to pet overpopulation and takes away potential homes from thousands of cats in shelters.

6. How much does it cost to have your cat neutered or spayed?

The cost to spay a cat usually runs anywhere from $150 to $800 depending on where the procedure is performed (e.g., shelter, veterinary clinic, mobile vet) and your geographic region. Neutering a cat is a less involved procedure and may cost anywhere from $70 to $200, depending on the same factors.

CareCredit Financing for Cat Spays and Neuters

Did you know the CareCredit credit card can help you manage the cost of spaying or neutering your cat?* Whether it's a surgery or your kitten's first vet visit, CareCredit is here to help with your veterinary needs. Use our Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a veterinary care provider near you who accepts the CareCredit credit card.

Author Bio

Dr. Elizabeth Racine is a small animal general practice veterinarian and freelance writer. She covers both human and veterinary medicine with a special interest in nutrition, internal medicine, and veterinary behavior.