Spaying a Cat: When to Do It, Surgery Types and Aftercare

Female kittens can reach sexual maturity, and become able to get pregnant, as early as four months of age. Most cat owners have neither the time nor the wish to breed kittens, so they choose to have their cat spayed, either by traditional surgery or by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery.

In this article, we explain what spaying is, how and when it’s done, what owners need to know about the surgery and how to care for your cat afterward.

Spaying is a surgical procedure that permanently prevents a female cat from having kittens. It’s one of the most common operations vets perform.

Types of Spay Surgery

Ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus). This is the standard spay in the US. It prevents pregnancy, stops heat cycles and eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) and uterine and ovarian tumors.
Ovariectomy (removal of the ovaries only). This is widely used in the UK and Europe. Because the hormones that drive uterine disease come from the ovaries, an ovariectomy is just as effective at preventing heat cycles, pregnancy and uterine problems, and it can be done through a smaller incision.
Tubal ligation (“tying the tubes”). This is rarely done in cats today, because the cat keeps her ovaries, so she still comes into heat, still attracts males and remains at risk of pyometra and mammary tumors.

Your vet will recommend the best option for your cat.

When Should You Spay Your Cat?

Most vets now recommend spaying cats before their first heat, at around four to six months of age. In the UK, many vets and welfare organizations recommend neutering kittens at about four months, and shelters in both the US and UK often spay kittens as young as eight weeks old (and at least about 2 lb or 1 kg). Early spaying is safe, kittens recover quickly, and it prevents accidental pregnancies, since a kitten can get pregnant during her very first heat.

Adult cats can be spayed at any age, as long as they’re healthy enough for anesthesia. Spaying before the first heat also gives the best protection against mammary cancer. Some vets prefer not to spay a cat while she’s in heat, because the blood vessels are larger, while others do it routinely. Ask your vet.

Pros and Cons of Spaying

There are two views among cat owners. Some believe in letting nature take its course and let their cats have kittens. Others, a growing majority, agree with animal welfare organizations that unwanted and uncontrolled pregnancies should be prevented.

Pros:

It prevents unwanted pregnancies and helps reduce the number of homeless cats.
Spayed cats tend to live longer, healthier lives.
It eliminates the risk of pyometra and uterine and ovarian cancer, and greatly reduces the risk of mammary cancer, especially when done early.
No more heat cycles, with their yowling, restlessness and attempts to escape outdoors.
Spayed cats roam less, so they’re less likely to get into fights, be hit by cars or catch diseases such as FIV.
Many spayed cats become calmer and more affectionate.

Cons:

Spaying is surgery under general anesthesia, so, as with any operation, there’s a small risk of complications from anesthesia or during recovery.
For about 10 to 14 days after surgery, you’ll need to keep an eye on your cat so she doesn’t damage her stitches.
Spayed cats need fewer calories and may gain weight if they’re overfed. This is easily managed with portion control and play.

With careful attention and proper care, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Remember, you’re responsible for your pet!

Is there an alternative to surgery?
Not really. Letting your cat go through repeated heats is stressful for her and for you, and hormonal pills or injections to suppress heat can have serious side effects, including uterine infections, mammary tumors and diabetes. Before getting a cat, think about whether you plan to breed her, and how to give her the longest, most comfortable life possible.

How to Prepare Your Cat for Spay Surgery

Spaying is abdominal surgery performed under general anesthesia. To minimize the risk of complications and reduce stress, prepare your cat:

A pre-surgery checkup. Your vet will examine your cat to make sure she’s healthy and fit for surgery. They may recommend pre-anesthetic blood tests, especially for adult or senior cats, or for breeds prone to certain conditions, such as British Shorthairs and Scottish Straights, which can be prone to heart disease. In some cases, your vet may recommend a heart scan or ECG.
Vaccinations. If your cat has never been vaccinated or is overdue, your vet may recommend vaccinating her a few weeks before surgery.
Parasite treatment. Treat your cat for fleas and worms before surgery, especially if she goes outdoors.
A nail trim. Trim your cat’s claws so she’s less likely to scratch at her wound while it heals.
Stress reduction. If your cat is very nervous, your vet may prescribe a calming medication to give before the trip to the clinic. Only give medications prescribed by your vet. Read more: calming products for cats.
Fasting. Follow your vet’s instructions exactly. Usually, adult cats shouldn’t eat after a certain time the night before surgery (often midnight), while water may be allowed until the morning. Kittens usually need a shorter fast. Anesthesia on a full stomach increases the risk of vomiting and inhaling food, which is dangerous.

How Traditional Spay Surgery Is Done

The most important thing to remember is that although spaying is a routine operation, it must always be done by a qualified vet in a veterinary clinic.

Before surgery, your cat is given a sedative and pain relief, then put under general anesthesia. The fur is shaved on her belly (or, in the UK, often on her left side, for a “flank spay”), and the skin is cleaned. The vet makes a small incision, removes the ovaries (and usually the uterus), and closes the wound with stitches. Many vets use dissolvable stitches under the skin, so there are no stitches to remove. The surgery itself usually takes 20 to 45 minutes, and most cats go home the same day.

A less invasive alternative, which some clinics offer, is laparoscopic (keyhole) spaying.

Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Spaying

Laparoscopic spaying is also done under general anesthesia, but it’s minimally invasive, meaning the surgeon works through very small openings rather than one larger incision.

How It’s Done

The surgeon makes two or three tiny incisions, usually about 0.2–0.4 inch (5–10 mm) long. A thin camera (laparoscope) and special instruments are inserted through them, and the surgeon watches a magnified image on a screen while removing the ovaries.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Spaying

smaller wounds, which usually mean less pain after surgery;
a lower risk of wound complications;
little or no stitch care, since the tiny wounds are often closed with dissolvable stitches or surgical glue;
a faster return to normal activity, often within a day or two.

The downsides are that it costs more, is available only at some clinics, and requires a surgeon with specialist training and equipment.

How to Avoid Problems

Choose your clinic for quality, not just price. Ask what’s included: pre-surgery checks, pain relief, anesthesia monitoring and a post-surgery check.
Check the surgeon’s experience, especially for laparoscopic surgery, which requires special training.
Make sure the surgery is done in a properly equipped clinic, with anesthesia monitoring.
Be wary of any clinic that skips pre-surgery checks or doesn’t weigh your cat to calculate the anesthetic dose.

Caring for Your Cat After Spaying

Cats usually recover from spay surgery remarkably quickly. Most go home the same day, but your vet may keep your cat for a few hours or overnight to make sure she’s recovering well. Spaying is a bigger operation than neutering a male cat, so it’s worth following your vet’s advice carefully.

What You Should Do at Home

Prepare a recovery area. After surgery, your cat may be groggy and feel cold. Before you go to the clinic, set up a warm, quiet, cozy spot, away from bright light, noise and drafts, with soft, clean bedding.
Keep her on the floor. As the anesthesia wears off, your cat may be wobbly and uncoordinated, and she could easily fall from a sofa or bed. Keep her in a small room for the first night, away from stairs and high furniture.
Restrict activity. To protect the wound, keep your cat calm and prevent running and jumping for about 10 to 14 days, or as long as your vet advises.
Use a paper-based litter. Your vet may suggest using shredded paper or a paper-pellet litter for a week or so, to keep dust and litter out of the wound.
Prevent licking. If your cat licks or scratches at her wound, use a cone (Elizabethan collar) or a recovery suit until it has healed. Licking doesn’t help a wound heal: it can introduce infection or pull out stitches. If your cat has stitches that need removing, they’re usually taken out after 10 to 14 days.
Follow feeding instructions. Most vets advise offering a small meal and water a few hours after your cat gets home, once she’s fully awake, then returning to normal meals the next day.
Give pain relief exactly as your vet prescribes. Never give your cat human painkillers: many, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) and ibuprofen, are toxic to cats.
Adjust her diet. After spaying, cats need fewer calories and are prone to weight gain. Feed measured portions, consider a food designed for neutered cats, and play with your cat every day.

Your Cat’s Behavior After Spaying

How your cat behaves after surgery depends on the type of surgery and on the cat.

After Laparoscopic Surgery

After keyhole surgery, cats usually return to normal very quickly. Your cat may be sleepy and quiet for a few hours, but she may be acting almost like herself by the evening.

After Traditional Surgery

After traditional surgery, recovery takes a little longer, and your cat will need some restrictions for a week or two. She may sleep for several hours as the anesthesia wears off. Lethargy, disorientation, a wobbly walk and shivering are common as she wakes up. Keep an eye on her to prevent falls and injuries while her coordination returns. She may feel some pain, which is why vets give pain relief. Most cats are eating and moving around normally within a day or two.

Possible Complications

Like any surgery, spaying can have complications, although they’re uncommon. To minimize the risks, follow your vet’s instructions carefully.

Vomiting

Some cats vomit once or twice after anesthesia, even if they were fasted properly. If your cat vomits repeatedly, can’t keep water down or seems unwell, call your vet.

Fever, Lethargy and Loss of Appetite

Mild lethargy and a reduced appetite are normal for the first day. If your cat still isn’t eating after 24 hours, is very lethargic or seems to have a fever (a rectal temperature above about 102.5°F, or 39.2°C), or feels cold and won’t warm up, contact your vet.

Internal Bleeding

Signs include weakness, lying still and not wanting to move, pain when touched, a swollen belly and very pale (almost white) gums. This is an emergency: see a vet immediately!

Wound Infection

A little redness and swelling around the wound is normal for the first few days. Increasing redness, swelling, heat, discharge or pus, a bad smell or an opening wound needs prompt attention from your vet.

Signs of Heat After Spaying

Occasionally, a spayed cat shows signs of heat. This can happen if a small piece of ovarian tissue was left behind (“ovarian remnant syndrome”) and is still producing hormones. Talk to your vet, ideally the one who did the surgery.

Weight Gain

Spaying slows a cat’s metabolism and can increase her appetite. To prevent weight gain, once the wound has healed, make sure your cat gets daily exercise and play, and feed a balanced diet in measured portions. Don’t overfeed her!

Be a caring and attentive owner, and don’t hesitate to contact your vet if you notice any worrying symptoms.

How Much Does It Cost to Spay a Cat?

Prices vary widely between clinics and regions. The cost usually covers the vet’s work, anesthesia, sutures, medication and the clinic’s facilities. Be wary of offers that seem too cheap at a private clinic: they may not include pain relief or proper monitoring, or extra costs may be added later. As a rough guide:

US: about $200–600 at a private vet clinic, and often $50–150 at low-cost spay/neuter clinics, shelters and nonprofit programs. Laparoscopic spaying, where available, usually costs more, often $400–1,000.
UK: about £80–200 at a vet practice, and more for laparoscopic spaying. Charities such as Cats Protection offer neutering vouchers for owners on low incomes, and some local schemes offer free or reduced-cost neutering.

Spaying at home isn’t standard practice in the US or UK: surgery should always be done in a clinic with proper sterile conditions and anesthetic monitoring. In some areas of the US, mobile spay/neuter clinics (fully equipped surgical vans) offer low-cost surgery.

What Owners Say

Owners often stress choosing a clinic carefully: a good clinic weighs your cat, examines her before surgery and explains the aftercare clearly. Some owners describe their cat being shivery and groggy for the first evening after traditional surgery, needing a cone or recovery suit for a couple of weeks, but being calmer overall afterward. Owners who chose laparoscopic surgery often say their cat bounced back within a couple of days with only tiny marks left, though it cost more.