Cat Spay and Neuter

Both terms refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal, the procedure you choose depends on your pet’s gender. Females are spayed while males are neutered.

The procedures may also be referred to as being “fixed”. Whether male or female, both procedures sterilize your cat so they cannot have kittens and may also prevent certain diseases and health conditions later in life.

Neutering is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure also known as orchidectomy. A veterinarian performs this surgical procedure, both testicles are removed in order to sterilize a male cat. In general, complications are rare during a neuter procedure. However, as with any anesthetic or surgical procedure, there is always a small risk. Pre-operative blood work is a useful screening test that may detect pre-existing problems that could interfere with the pet’s ability to handle anesthetic drugs. The Pets I Love recommends neutering your male cat at around six months of age.

Benefits of Neutering Cats

• Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated
• Reduces the risk of prostatic disease in later life disease
• Reduce the urge for male cats to spray their urine on surfaces to mark their territory

Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. A veterinarian performs this surgical procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female cat. In general, complications are rare during a spay procedure. However, as with any anesthetic or surgical procedure, there is always a small risk. Pre-operative blood work is a useful screening test that may detect pre-existing problems that could interfere with the pet’s ability to handle anesthetic drugs. The Pets I Love recommends spaying your male cat at around six months of age.

Benefits of Spaying Cats

• Risk of ovarian and uterine cancers is eliminated
• Unspayed female cats also carry the risk of developing pyometra – a fatal condition of the uterus that requires surgery to treat
• Breast cancer is the number one type of cancer diagnosed in unspayed female cats