What You Need To Know About Having Your Cat Neutered

Neutering is the term used to describe having a male cat desexed. Neutering can be done when your cat is only a couple of months old, but there's no upper age limit, so if you have an older cat, you can still have him neutered. Aside from preventing unwanted kittens, there are several other benefits to having your cat neutered.

Male cats can mark their territory by spraying urine, and if they decide to do this on your walls, table legs or sofa, you will find it very difficult to get the pungent odour out of your home. Having your cat neutered can significantly reduce spraying, and some male cats will stop spraying altogether after the procedure. Neutering is also considered to reduce your cat's risk of experiencing prostate problems. Read on to learn about the procedure and the care your cat will require during recovery.

The Neutering Procedure

Desexing a male cat is a relatively simple surgical procedure, but your vet will examine your cat before the procedure to make sure they are well. A general anaesthetic will be administered, and your vet will make a small incision, typically only a centimetre long, in your cat's scrotum. The testicles are then removed and the blood vessels to the testicles are sealed with a laser. The incision will be closed with dissolvable stitches or staples and your cat will be discharged once they have come round fully from the anaesthetic and have passed urine normally. Your vet will follow up with your cat in a couple of weeks to ensure the wound has healed well, and if your cat has staples, these will be removed at the follow-up appointment.

Supporting Recovery

Just like a human recovering from surgery, your cat will benefit from a calm, quiet space to recover in. If you have a busy household, this may mean enclosing your cat in a room for a few days to ensure they can rest without being disturbed. There is a risk that your cat can burst their stitches open if they try to jump up on furniture too soon after their surgery, so do what you can to remove things they can jump up on for at least a few days. While their wound is healing, you should check it each day for redness or the presence of discharge, which could indicate they have developed a bacterial infection.

Neutering is a routine procedure with a low rate of complications. If you feel it's time for pet desexing, contact your veterinary surgery.