Cat Spaying and Neutering: Essential Facts for Pet Parents

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What is cat neutering?

Cat neutering is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a male cat’s testicles to prevent breeding. This procedure is sometimes referred to as castration.

A person gently holds an alert ginger cat wearing a red knitted sweater, with the cat looking directly at the camera.

What is cat neutering?

Cat neutering is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a male cat’s testicles to prevent breeding. This procedure is sometimes referred to as castration.

What is spaying a cat?

Spaying a cat involves surgically removing the ovaries and uterus of a female cat, making her unable to reproduce. This procedure is also known as an ovariohysterectomy.

A black cat with bright eyes sits on a metallic table in a veterinarian's clinic. A vet's hand gently rests on its back, and clinical equipment is visible in the background.
A black cat sits on a metal examination table in a veterinary clinic, gazing towards the camera. A vet gently pats the cat on its back, offering comfort. Medical equipment is visible in the background.

What is spaying a cat?

Spaying a cat involves surgically removing the ovaries and uterus of a female cat, making her unable to reproduce. This procedure is also known as an ovariohysterectomy.

At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we strongly recommend spaying and neutering cats for several reasons. These procedures reduce high-risk behaviors associated with mating and pregnancy, which can lead to disease transmission. Intact cats often roam, increasing their risk of accidents, fights, and exposure to various dangers. For male cats, neutering helps prevent unwanted behaviors like urine marking in your home.

We recommend that all cats be spayed or neutered by six months of age. This timing prevents the development of secondary sex characteristics in males and ensures female cats don’t become pregnant. Early spaying and neutering can lead to better long-term health outcomes for your feline friend.

Spaying female cats significantly reduces their risk of developing mammary tumors and eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancers. For male cats, neutering prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate problems. Both procedures can lead to a longer, healthier life for your cat.

After neutering, male cats are less likely to spray urine to mark territory and will have a reduced desire to fight. Spayed females won’t experience heat cycles, eliminating behaviors like yowling and the urge to escape outdoors in search of a mate. Overall, these procedures often result in calmer, more affectionate pets.

On the day of surgery, withhold food from midnight the night before, but allow water until your cat comes to our clinic. At Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care, we use advanced pre-surgical and post-surgical pain medications to ensure your cat’s comfort. After the procedure, we’ll provide detailed instructions for at-home care. Generally, young cats recover quickly, but it’s important to keep them quiet and indoors until they’ve fully healed.

Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia to ensure your cat feels no pain. Our skilled veterinarians, Dr. Ryan Smith and Dr. Reid Forman, use aseptic techniques to prevent infections. For spaying, we make a small incision in the abdomen to remove the ovaries and uterus. Neutering involves a small incision in the scrotum to remove the testicles. Both procedures are relatively quick, with spays typically taking about 20-30 minutes and neuters often less than 10 minutes.

Complications from these routine surgeries are extremely rare at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care. Occasionally, we may see a minor reaction to the sutures used, resulting in a small bump at the incision site that resolves within a couple of weeks. Our experienced team takes every precaution to ensure your cat’s safety and comfort throughout the entire process.

Yes, we can certainly microchip your cat during the spay or neuter surgery. This is an excellent time to have this quick and simple procedure done while your cat is already under anesthesia.

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If you have any questions about cat spaying or neutering, or if you’d like to schedule a procedure for your feline friend, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care. You can reach us at (657) 756-5683 or visit our website at Love.vet. Our compassionate team is here to provide the best care for your beloved pets in Huntington Beach and surrounding areas.

Love Animal Hospital & Urgent Care
16161 Springdale St, Huntington Beach, CA 92649
Phone: (657) 756-5683
Website: Love.vet