Neutering is a safe and effective way of stopping unwanted kittens, as well as gaining important health benefits. Neutering a male cat is also known as castration.
This involves the complete removal of the testicles under general anaesthetic. Removing the testicles stops the production of sperm and also reduces the production of the hormone testosterone.
What happens on the day of the operation?
You’ll bring your cat in between 8 and 9 am, having had no breakfast but plenty of access to water. The nurse will talk you through the procedure and you’ll be asked to sign a consent form, allowing us to perform the operation. Your pet will be given a sedative injection, which includes a pain-killer. The sedative will help to calm and relax him. He’ll then be admitted to have his operation under a general anaesthetic. Normally, he’ll go home the same day as his operation and you’ll be given a discharge appointment for the afternoon. He won’t have any stitches and we won’t need to see him for a check-up unless you have any concerns.
When to neuter your male cat
We recommend neutering a male cat then they reach five months of age.
Benefits of neutering a male cat
Your male cat will become less likely to roam (reducing the risk of being run over) once he has been neutered.
- He will also become less likely to fight. Diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) which are transmitted by cat bites and reproductive activity. This risk will be reduced
- He will also be less likely to mark their territory with urine (spraying), which carries a strong odour.
In summary
Neutering is a safe and effective way of helping to prevent your cat fathering unwanted kittens and gives important health and behavioural advantages.