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Neuter your cat to prevent unwanted kittens
10th January 2018
Every year, thousands of unwanted kittens are taken to rehoming shelters. With lots of kittens taking up valuable space in shelters, older cats are often overlooked, as kittens are more likely to be adopted. Neutering your cat will help to reduce the kitten population.
When is kitten season?
The breeding season for cats is between spring and autumn. Many cats could have more than one litter during this period as the gestation period for cats is only nine weeks. A female cat can become pregnant at five months old, so it’s important to have them neutered at a young age.
What is neutering?
Neutering involves removing the testes in male cats (castrating) and removing the ovaries and uterus in female cats (spaying).
Benefits of neutering female cats
- Neuter a female cat to prevent them calling when they come into season.
- Prevent male cats bothering your female cat.
- Prevent your female cat contracting illnesses of the womb such as pyometra.
Benefits of neutering male cats
- A male cat is less likely to roam if he is neutered as he won’t go searching for a mate.
- If a male cat roams less, then they are less likely to get lost or cross busy roads.
- Neutered male cats are less likely to start fights with other male cats.
Should my female cat have a litter before she is spayed?
Some believe that a female cat should have one litter of kittens before she is neutered. However, there is no proof that there are any health benefits to this theory.
Speak to your vet for further advice about neutering your cat. If you decide to adopt a cat, many shelters will neuter a cat as part of the adoption process.
