Should I have my cat neutered?
Neutering removes the sexual urge from both male and female cats. It is carried out permanently by surgical intervention.

ADVANTAGES?
If you do not intend to breed from your cat it has undoubted advantages in the male and female cat. In male cats it will remove the sexual urge and make a cat unlikely to go seeking a female in oestrus. This can prevent cats wandering for miles and putting themselves at danger. It can also decrease the amount of antisocial behaviour that male cats tend to inflict by spraying around the house! Neutering the female prevents oestrus as well as breeding. She will not come into heat and therefore her behaviour will not change and she will not have to be deprived of her normal exercise and companionship whilst in season.

DISADVANTAGES
It is a common fallacy that a neutered cat will become fat and lazy. Judicious feeding of a scientifically balanced diet, without excessive titbits, should adequately control any problems of obesity, just as it does in the entire animal.

Thus, there seem more advantages to having your cat neutered, than there are disadvantages. We will always be able to discuss the options with you, but do advise that if you are not planning to breed from your cat, that neutering is a sensible choice both for you and your cat. Both male and female are usually neutered between 6-12 months of age, although the operation can be carried out at any age.

If you want any other information on neutering your cat, please contact your veterinary surgery who will be happy to advise you.