It's an unfortunate fact, but there are simply not enough homes for all the cats awaiting adoption in the UK. You can play an important role in controlling feline overpopulation by spaying or neutering your cat. Not only that, but research shows that spayed or neutered pets live longer and have reduced risks of a variety of health problems, including certain types of cancer.

The advantages for female cats

It is much better for female cats to be neutered (spayed) as early as possible. It is a myth that cats should have one litter before being spayed as this offers no health or behavioural benefits and contributes to the unwanted kitten population as well as putting the mum at various health risks. A cat spayed before 12 months has a significantly lower risk of mammary (breast) cancer than an unspayed cat, or a cat spayed at a higher age. Spaying also means no risk of uterine (womb) infections or uterine and ovarian cancer as these organs are removed.

Besides the health risks, having an unspayed (entire) female cat can cause a lot of problems for you as an owner. Female cats come into season about once every three weeks, eight months of the year. They cry incessantly and will draw a crowd of noisy, smelly males to the door. Keeping your cat indoors to prevent mating is traumatic for both of you, but if she escapes, she will produce an unplanned litter which may be difficult to home. Spaying will help your female become more gentle and home-loving.

The advantages for male cats

Un-neutered (entire) tomcats are not much fun to own. They spray their territory, both indoors and out, with pungent urine that leaves a strong after-smell. They will roam long distances looking for females in season, often getting lost, injured or killed by motorists. They are also more likely to fight with other cats, leading to wounds, abscesses and infection with various viruses that can be fatal. Neutering reduces the aggressive impulses of your cat and thus decreases the roaming instinct and the likelihood of injury due to fighting, as well as making your male cat more affectionate and contented (and a lot better smelling). Neutering (castration) also means no risk of cancers affecting the testicles.

Weight gain

Owners often worry that neutering will result in weight gain for their pet. Neutering does not directly cause cats to gain weight and will not normally affect their activity levels. Neutering, however, can lead to weight gain because of slight changes in metabolism, and because activity levels normally decline with maturity and lack of roaming looking for a mate. Depending on your cat’s body condition you may want to prevent this by using a diet designed for a neutered cat. Ask your vet about this and if your cat does gain weight afterwards, again consult your vet who may recommend cutting out treats, increasing activity levels, or switching to a manufactured 'light' diet. Some cat food brands offer special 'after care' formulations created specifically with the needs of post-neutered cats in mind.

Reduce the number of unwanted cats

Some unwanted kittens and cats are put to sleep each year, as well as many sitting in rescue centres for months or even years. Unless you breed pedigree pets professionally, the kindest, most responsible action is to have your cat spayed or neutered. It may seem a nice idea to breed from your cat, and your friends may promise to adopt the kittens, but you could end up with kittens you can’t look after or rehome. An unspayed female cat can have up to three litters each year, with up to six kittens in each litter. In five years she could have over 200,000 descendants! Neutering is the responsible thing to do as a cat owner.

Cost of neutering

Neutering is not expensive in comparison to other veterinary surgical procedures but if the cost is too great for you then many charities will help. Cat’s Protection in particular offer a reduced-cost neutering voucher scheme for people on low incomes, often via People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) hospitals.

Before and after the operation

After consulting with your vet, follow instructions regarding withholding food and water from your cat before the appointment. The operation involves removal of both testicles for males (castration), and removal of the ovaries and, usually, the womb for females (spaying). Ask your vet at what age the practice prefers to neuter cats. This may be as early as two months for both males and females, but different practices prefer different times.

You will be amazed at how quickly a cat recovers from the operation, : they are back to normal the next day! After the operation, cats should be confined to the house according to your vet’s instructions (usually for a few days), kept quiet and prevented from jumping if possible, or biting at their stitches (females only, castration doesn’t require stitches). Your vet will discuss post-operative care of the incision, including whether the stitches will need to be removed, or will dissolve naturally.