When kittens are four months old, they reach sexual maturity. That means they are capable of breeding and producing kittens. As you can imagine, most cat owners don’t wish to breed from their pets. Nor do they want to deal with unwanted litters of kittens.
One of the problems cat charities face in the UK is trying to find homes for kittens and young cats due to unwanted litters. One proven method of lessening such a problem is having male cats neutered (castrated) and females spayed (removal of ovaries and uterus).
Neutered cats don’t just prevent pregnancies; they are less likely to have unwanted behavioural patterns related to sexual maturity.
Why neuter a male cat?
Population control is undoubtedly one of the leading reasons to neuter a cat. It can take just one cat to make several female cats in the area pregnant. But there are other reasons for cat castration.
For example, unneutered male cats mark a large area as their territory and ultimately fight with other cats. Male cats are less likely to be aggressive towards their owners if they’ve been castrated.
Plus, fewer fights with other cats means a lower risk of spreading infectious diseases between them and other cats. Some of those diseases include FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) and FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus).
Why neuter a female cat?
When a female cat gets neutered, they cannot have kittens. That means if several unneutered male cats try to get that female cat pregnant, it won’t happen. A spayed cat gives peace of mind to their owners, particularly when their pets are ‘in season. ’
If a female cat isn’t neutered, she is likely to experience health issues like pyometra - a womb infection - in her later years. Spaying a female cat will also reduce the likelihood of noise complaints from neighbours due to fighting and ‘cat calling. ’
What is a likely cat neuter cost?
The price veterinarians charge for neutering cats varies as there is no standard fee for the service. Most cat owners are likely to pay around £40 for a male, and £60 for a female. Those prices typically don’t include microchip costs.
There are other costs that might get associated with neutering a cat. For example, if a veterinarian examines a cat and finds they have a flea or worm infestation, there will be an extra charge for that treatment.
It’s worth noting that neutering a cat increases their risk of developing UTIs (urinary tract infections). Thankfully, a specialised diet and products such as Burgess Neutered Cat Food will ensure a neutered cat gets the right nutrients and vitamins needed by their bodies.
When should a cat get neutered?
There was once a time where cat neutering would take place after a kitten has reached sexual maturity. That was typically done when kittens were six months old. Most veterinarians recommend that kittens should get neutered when they are four months old.
Any qualified veterinarian can castrate a male kitten or spay a female kitten. It goes without saying that the kittens should be in good health before such a procedure takes place.