Lets Talk About Neutering
Why Neuter?
Neutering your cat really is the kindest thing you can do. It is also the only responsible option. You can help prevent more kittens from being born into situations where they have no place to live while also improving your cat’s quality of life. Neutering reduces the risk of diseases and assists in managing behavior. It should be considered essential. Additionally, neutering has a significant impact on the overall cat population.
Every day, I deal with the consequences of owners who choose to ignore the importance of neutering and who let ‘nature take its course’. It is irresponsible and inevitably leads to:
- Kittens having kittens and dying during birth or needing emergency caesareans
- Mums are starving themselves to death in the relentless challenge to keep kittens alive
- Stray cats are abandoning their litter because they have not had the internal resources to keep their kittens alive, and were forced to choose their own survival.
- Kittens are dumped mercilessly by irresponsible owners behind bins or at bus stops.
- The catastrophic consequences of generational inbreeding can lead to innocent kittens being born with deformities or severe health issues.
- Colonies of strays living on the streets and spreading illnesses without boundaries.
The consequences are vast, yet so easily preventable.
Females can (and do) get pregnant at just 4 months old. They can get pregnant again before they have even finished nursing, and unless neutered, they will keep having litters of kittens that they are not strong enough to care for, until the stress of the cycle on their body kills them.
Un-neutered males will get into constant fights over females and wander far and wide looking for a mate. Sadly, many of these chaps get lost or killed on the roads as a result.
Eighty-five percent of litters are unplanned. There are more than enough kittens to go around, and the cat population is crying out for us to try and get on top of it.
Regardless of gender, there is no excuse. If you love your pet, please neuter them.
When is the right time to neuter?
Neutering kittens at 6 months is now viewed as outdated. Cats can become sexually active as early as 4 months, and pregnancy can occur at any time. Best practice now recommends neutering kittens at 4 months old.
Research shows no adverse risks to spaying at this age, and that recovery times are actually quicker.
Neutering/spaying at 4 months is recommended or supported by most charities and groups, including:
– British Veterinary Association
– The British Small Animal Veterinary Association
– Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
– the Blue Cross
– Cats Protection
– Celia Hammond Animal Trust
– International Cat Care
– PDSA
– the Mayhew Animal Home
– RSPCA
– Wood Green, the Animal Charity.
Cat adoption is a lifelong commitment, and financial means should be considered before going ahead. But if cost feels like a barrier to neutering your cat, there are plenty of low-cost options or voucher schemes available.
Finally, if you still aren’t convinced and think it might be fun to have ‘just one litter’… take a moment to consider the reality…
Just one litter…
The thought of a litter of cute kittens might sound appealing, but the reality is very challenging.
📌 Most cat owners who let their cat have kittens wouldn’t do it again.
📌 Many struggle to find good homes for the kittens.
📌 The majority found it harder than expected to care for a pregnant cat and a litter.
📌 A significant percentage have no choice but to rely on rescue centres to take in the kittens.
Do the right thing – please neuter your cat.
If you still aren’t convinced, check out what Cats Protection has to say about neutering here
