What To Do Before You Neuter Your Cat

Spaying is slightly more complex. The entire uterus and ovaries have to be removed from a larger incision on the belly, in a procedure which typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. But, it’s still a very routine, low risk operation overall.

In countries where pet cats are popular, neutering and spaying is vital to prevent a surplus of unwanted kittens. Male cats will go to extraordinary lengths to reach a female cat in season, including scaling buildings to get through windows, and tearing down screen doors. So even indoor cats should be considered for neutering.

Neutering male cats may also reduce urine marking and roaming behavior. And there’s some evidence that neutered males live longer than non-neutered males. Possibly because they are less likely to roam and pick fights to gain access to females. In females, spaying also reduces the risk of mammary and uterine cancers, and pyometria.

In both sexes, the risks of neutering are very low. Most vets recommend it as the default course of action, unless you plan to use your cat for planned breeding.

So, chat to your veterinarian as early as possible about your spay or neuter plans, and the best time to neuter your cat.

2. Ask Your Veterinarian What To Expect

Every veterinarian has their own idea about the best way to carry out spay and neuter surgeries. From how soon before surgery the patient should arrive, to what anesthesia and pain relief to use, which kind of stitches are best, and when they’ll be ready to go home.

So don’t assume that your experience will be the same as your friend’s! Ask your vet exactly what to expect on the day, including timings, how they’ll keep you updated while your cat is an in-patient, and follow up care. Most clinics will also give you a fact sheet to take away and refer to in the run up, so you don’t have to worry about memorizing everything in the consulting room.

3. Prepare A Safe Place To Recover

Your cat might have been a master acrobat right before their surgery, but for a few days afterwards they’re going to need to take it easy. This means they’ll need a safe place to recover, where they can’t over exert themselves. And there are a few ways you can provide that:

• A large crate with a comfy bed, and enough space for their food, water, litter tray, and space to move around. This option is most likely to be realistic if you also have a large dog, and a crate leftover from their puppyhood.
• If they like to sleep in a cat tree, create steps using furniture so they can climb into it gently. Cats who feel safest high up may be stressed by being forced to sleep at ground level whilst they’re also physically vulnerable from surgery. So try to make their usual sleeping spot accessible to them.
• Use baby gates to stop small children or boisterous dogs from annoying them while they rest.

4. Get Them Used To It

If their convalescing safe space is different from where they would usually hang out or rest, try to familiarize them with it before their surgery. You can do this by leaving treats and toys in there for them to discover, so that they form positive associations with it.

5. Stock Up On Other Recovery Aids

Cats spend a famous amount of time grooming, but this can irritate and inflame the incision site from their surgery. So, most cats need a special collar to prevent them reaching their stitches for the first few days. Some vets will provide one of the conical Elizabethan collars for this purpose, but check in advance. If you think your cat will find one of these very distressing, there are alternatives you can buy including:

• Padded donut collars.
• Recovery vests.
• And even t-shirts that stop them gaining access to the wound site.

5. Fasting

‘Can my cat eat before being neutered?’ and ‘can a cat have water before being neutered?’ are two of the most frequently asked questions our readers have about preparing for surgery.

Your veterinarian will almost certainly ask you to withhold food from your cat from the evening before surgery. This is because your cat won’t be able to swallow while they are under general anesthetic. Fasting reduces the possibility of them vomiting while they’re under, because if they do, their inability to swallow means they might inhale some of it instead. Which is potentially very dangerous.

Exactly what time your cat needs to fast from depends upon when your vet expects to carry out the surgery. So, pay attention to their specific instructions! From the point they tell you to withhold food, that means all food, including treats and drinks besides water.

Your vet may or may not tell you to withhold water before surgery too. Dehydration is a far more urgent, more dangerous problem than hunger. So if they do ask you to take away your cat’s water bowl it will be later than you take away their food. For example, it might be in the morning of the day itself.

6. Keep Them Inside Overnight

If your cat is an outdoor cat, lock the cat flap and keep them indoors after dinner on the evening before their surgery. This serves two purposes:

• It stops them sneaking away and eating something overnight without you being aware of it.
• It avoids the possibility of stressful search for them in the morning if they’re nowhere to be found (and possibly even an embarrassed call to the vet, and an annoying cancellation charge).

If your cat usually uses the toilet outside, then remember they will need an indoor litter tray from the time you shut them in the night before surgery, until the time they’re ready to go outdoors again after surgery.

7. Set A Calm Example

Our pets are very responsive to our own emotional state. It’s normal to feel nervous about taking your kitten in for surgery, but try to keep a calm, confident, normal routine going. This will help them to feel less envious too.

8. Clear Your Diary After The Surgery

Usually your cat will be ready to come home again on the same day they have surgery. But for the next day or two, it’s very important that someone is around to monitor their recovery. In particular you’ll need to keep an eye on their stitches for signs of infection. In particular:

• redness
• inflammation
• and/or raised temperature at the wound site.

Some cats bounce back from surgery very quickly, whilst others might be extra clingy for a few days, and others are a bit quiet and out of sorts. But most cats will start eating and drinking again within 4 hours of surgery, which is a good sign they’re recovering normally. If you have any concerns at all, call your veterinarian for advice. Most vets insist upon a follow up check after surgery anyway.

What To Do Before You Neuter Your Cat

Before taking your cat to the clinic for spay or neuter surgery:

• Follow any instructions your veterinarian has given you to the letter.
• Set up a space for them to recover in, and if you have time, get them used to spending time in it.
• Clear your diary for a day or so after the surgery, so you can monitor their recovery, and simply reassure them with your presence.

Here at the Happy Cat Site we hope you’re feeling ready for the big day now, and that your cat makes a swift recovery!

What tips would you give someone about to neuter their cat? Share your advice in the comments box down below, to help out other pet parents!

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References

• Armstrong et al. Assessing analgesia equivalence and appetite following alfaxalone- or ketamine-based injectable anesthesia for feline castration as an example of enhanced recovery after surgery. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2017.
• Gates et al. Cross-sectional survey of anaesthesia and analgesia protocols used to perform routine canine and feline ovariohysterectomies. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2020.