Neutering a Male Cat: Everything You Need to Know

Male cats can reach sexual maturity as early as five or six months of age, and owners need to make an important decision: neuter (castrate) their cat, or start looking for a breeding partner. In this article, you’ll learn what neutering involves, when it’s done, how to prepare your cat, and how to care for him afterward.

Neutering (castration) is a surgical operation to remove a male cat’s testicles. It’s one of the quickest and most common operations vets perform.

Under general anesthesia, the vet removes the fur from the scrotum, makes one or two small incisions, ties off the blood vessels and spermatic cords, and removes the testicles. The incisions are usually so small that they’re left to heal on their own, without stitches.

When Should You Neuter Your Cat?

At around four to six months of age

Most vets now recommend neutering male cats before they reach sexual maturity, at about four to six months old. In the UK, many vets and welfare charities recommend neutering at around four months. Shelters in the US and UK often neuter kittens as young as eight weeks old. It’s best to neuter your cat before he starts spraying or roaming.

Does early neutering affect growth? A common myth is that neutering a kitten too early stunts his growth. In fact, studies have found that early-neutered cats grow normally. They may even grow slightly taller, because their growth plates close a little later. Early neutering is safe, and young kittens recover very quickly.

Cats can be neutered at any age. However, if a cat is neutered later, after he has already started spraying, fighting or roaming, these habits may not disappear completely, although they usually improve a lot.

Should You Neuter Your Cat?

Pros:

• Calmer behavior. Neutered cats are usually less aggressive toward other cats, less likely to fight and more affectionate with people.
• No more spraying. Neutering stops or greatly reduces urine marking in most cats. Even if a cat neutered as an adult keeps marking for a while, his urine smells much less strong.
• Less roaming. A neutered cat has much less urge to wander in search of females, which reduces the risk of him getting lost, being hit by a car or getting into fights.
• Better health. Fewer fights mean fewer bite wounds and abscesses and less risk of catching FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV. It also eliminates the risk of testicular problems.
• Fewer homeless kittens. One unneutered male can father a huge number of kittens.

Possible downsides:

• The risks of surgery and anesthesia. These are low for healthy cats. To reduce them further, don’t skip pre-surgery checks, choose your clinic and vet carefully and follow all instructions.
• Wound infection. Follow your vet’s instructions, keep the wound clean and prevent your cat from licking it. If you notice signs of infection, see your vet.
• Weight gain. Neutered cats need fewer calories and may put on weight if overfed. Feed measured portions, play with your cat every day and, after talking to your vet, consider a food for neutered cats.

How to Prepare Your Cat for Surgery

Surgery isn’t safe for a cat that is ill or recovering from an illness, so your vet will examine your cat first. Here’s how to prepare him:

• A pre-surgery checkup. Your vet will assess your cat’s general health and look for anything that could make surgery risky. For older cats, or breeds prone to heart disease, such as British Shorthairs and Scottish Straights, your vet may recommend blood tests or a heart scan first. Your vet will also check that both testicles have descended. In some cats, one or both stay inside the abdomen (cryptorchidism), which requires a more involved operation.
• Vaccinations. Make sure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date. If they aren’t, your vet may suggest vaccinating a few weeks before surgery.
• Flea and worm treatment before the surgery, especially for cats that go outside.
• Stress reduction. If your cat is very nervous, your vet may prescribe a calming medication to give before the trip to the clinic. Only use medication your vet prescribes. Read more: calming products for cats.
• Fasting. Follow your vet’s instructions. Usually, adult cats shouldn’t eat after a certain time the night before (often midnight), while water may be allowed until the morning. Kittens need a shorter fast. Don’t give laxatives or any other medication before surgery unless your vet tells you to.

How the Surgery Is Done

First, your cat is given a sedative and pain relief, then put under general anesthesia, usually with an injection, sometimes followed by anesthetic gas through a tube. Many vets also use a local anesthetic block for extra pain relief. Your cat’s breathing, heart rate and oxygen levels are monitored throughout.

Once your cat is asleep, the vet removes the fur and disinfects the area. A small incision is made in the scrotum, the testicle is brought out, the spermatic cord and blood vessels are tied off (or tied in a knot with themselves) and the testicle is removed. The same is done on the other side. The small incisions are usually left open to heal naturally, or closed with surgical glue. The surgery itself usually takes only five to fifteen minutes, and most cats go home the same day.

How to Care for Your Cat After Neutering

Male cats usually recover from neutering much faster than female cats recover from spaying, because the surgery is much less invasive. Still, a little care helps:

• Prepare a recovery spot. After surgery, your cat may feel cold and groggy. Before you go to the clinic, set up a warm, quiet, cozy spot with clean, soft bedding.
• Keep him on the floor. As the anesthesia wears off, your cat will be wobbly and may fall from high places. Keep him in a small, safe room for the first night.
• Keep the litter box close to his resting place, so he doesn’t have far to go.
• Use paper-based litter. For the first few days, your vet may suggest replacing his usual litter with shredded paper or paper pellets, so litter doesn’t get stuck in the wounds.
• Be patient. If your cat has an accident outside the litter box while he’s groggy, don’t scold him.
• Prevent licking. A little licking is normal, but if your cat licks or chews the area excessively, use a cone (Elizabethan collar) or recovery suit.
• Keep him indoors and calm for a few days, or as long as your vet recommends.
• Keep him away from unspayed females for about six weeks: a neutered male can still father kittens for several weeks after surgery.

After the Anesthetic

After general anesthesia, your cat may sleep for a while, and when he wakes up, he’ll probably be weak and disoriented. While he’s recovering, he may walk unsteadily and could injure himself, so keep an eye on him.

Don’t force your cat to eat or drink. Most vets advise offering a small amount of water and a small meal a few hours after he gets home, once he’s fully awake. If he isn’t interested, try again later. Most cats are eating normally by the next day.

Give pain relief exactly as your vet prescribes. Never give your cat human painkillers, which can be toxic.

When to Call the Vet

• your cat hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours after surgery;
• he’s very lethargic or seems to be in a lot of pain;
• he has trouble breathing, or his gums are very pale or very red;
• the area is very swollen, bleeding, oozing pus or smelling bad;
• he’s straining in the litter box or can’t pee: this is an emergency.

Possible Complications

Every cat reacts to surgery a little differently. Complications after neutering are uncommon, but here’s what to watch for:

1. Vomiting. Some cats vomit once or twice after anesthesia. If your cat vomits repeatedly or can’t keep water down, call your vet.
2. Lethargy and loss of appetite. Some sleepiness and a smaller appetite are normal for the first day. If your cat isn’t eating after 24 hours or seems unwell, call your vet.
3. Fever. If your cat seems to have a fever (a rectal temperature above about 102.5°F, or 39.2°C) or is unusually lethargic a day or more after surgery, see your vet.
4. Low body temperature. If your cat feels cold and doesn’t warm up in a warm room with a blanket, contact your vet right away.
5. Wound infection. A little redness and swelling is normal for the first few days. If it gets worse, or you see discharge or pus, see your vet.
6. Swelling or bleeding. A small amount of bruising is normal, but significant swelling of the scrotum or bleeding that doesn’t stop needs a vet check.
7. Weight gain. Neutering slows metabolism and can increase appetite. Don’t overfeed your cat: feed measured portions and play with him every day.

Stay close to your cat after surgery, and contact your vet if you notice anything that worries you.

How Much Does It Cost to Neuter a Cat?

Prices vary by clinic and region. As a rough guide:

• US: about $100–300 at a private vet clinic, and often $40–100 at low-cost spay/neuter clinics, shelters and nonprofit programs. Neutering a cryptorchid cat costs more.
• UK: about £50–120 at a vet practice. Charities such as Cats Protection offer neutering vouchers for owners on low incomes, and some areas have free or reduced-cost schemes.

Choose your clinic carefully. A very cheap price may not include anesthesia, pain relief or medication, which can be added to the bill later. Ask exactly what’s included before booking.

Neutering at home isn’t standard practice in the US or UK. Surgery should be done in a clinic with sterile conditions, anesthetic monitoring and emergency equipment in case of a reaction to anesthesia. In some US areas, mobile spay/neuter clinics (fully equipped surgical vans) offer convenient, low-cost surgery.

Alternatives to Surgical Neutering

Veterinary medicine knows a few other methods, but they’re used much less often than surgery:

1. Vasectomy. Cutting the tubes that carry sperm. The cat can’t father kittens, but he keeps his hormones, so he’ll still spray, roam and fight. It’s rarely done in pet cats.
2. Hormone implants. In some countries, vets can use an implant (such as deslorelin) that temporarily suppresses testosterone for many months. It’s used mainly in breeding cats that need a temporary break.
3. Hormone injections or pills. These aren’t recommended, because they can cause serious side effects, including diabetes and tumors.

Surgical neutering remains the safest and most effective option for pet cats.

Whether to neuter your cat is your decision, but remember: we’re responsible for making sure our pets live comfortable, healthy lives too.

When Not to Neuter

If you own a registered pedigree male and plan to become a breeder, you’ll have to accept the call of nature. But be prepared for some inconveniences:

• females (“queens”) will come to stay with your cat for several days at a time;
• you’ll need a separate, spacious room, or a stud house, for mating;
• an unneutered male almost always sprays, and mating isn’t a quiet or peaceful process!