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FR At What Age Should a Cat Be Spayed?
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By
Dr. med. vet. Sabina Büttner - Aug 16, 2020
The vast majority of cats kept in Switzerland are spayed or neutered. However, owners of young kittens are often unsure at what age a spay or neuter should be performed. Here you can learn more about the benefits and optimal timing for cat spaying/neutering.
When do cats reach sexual maturity?
Female cats generally reach sexual maturity between seven and eight months of age. However, since the onset of sexual maturity depends on the season and daylight duration, kittens born late in the year can reach sexual maturity as early as four to five months. For certain long-haired pedigree cats, it can take up to over a year for the first heat to occur.
Male cats usually reach sexual maturity between eight and ten months of age.
How do you know when a female cat has reached sexual maturity?
A female cat's readiness to mate is indicated by her becoming very restless and hardly eating. She emits plaintive cries for minutes (even at night) that resemble a crying baby. She rubs extensively against objects and rolls intensely on the floor. This behavior is also why the phase of mating readiness in cats is called "heat" or "estrus". If you stroke a cat in heat along her back, she will raise her rear and hold her tail to the side. Ovulation in cats is triggered by mating. If the cat quickly finds a male cat, the heat only lasts 1 – 2 days and can even be overlooked by the owner. If the cat has no contact with a male cat, the heat lasts about a week.
How do you know when a male cat has reached sexual maturity?
In male cats, the onset of sexual maturity is usually noticed by the urine suddenly smelling much more intense. In addition, many male cats begin to make small urine markings on furniture, door frames, or other furnishings. If the male cat has free access outdoors, he will now go in search of female cats ready to mate, he will get involved in territorial and dominance fights, and may even stay away from home for a few days.
Female and male cats should be spayed/neutered before sexual maturity!
For outdoor cats, the onset of sexual maturity is often not noticed by owners. This leads to unwanted pregnancies and the birth of kittens, which, although cute, do not always find a good home and then end up in animal shelters. Unspayed/unneutered outdoor cats can also worsen the problem of the proliferation of stray cats, of which there are already an estimated 100,000 – 300,000 in Switzerland.
The general rule is therefore that cats should be spayed/neutered before sexual maturity, between 6 and 7 months of age. Cats born late in the year should possibly even be operated on as early as 4 to 5 months of age, especially if they are outdoor cats. Therefore, discuss this with your veterinarian early on.
What are the Benefits and disadvantages of cat spaying/neutering?
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The list of Benefits of spaying/neutering in cats is quite long. On the one hand, reproductive behavior, which makes living together, especially with indoor cats, very difficult, is completely eliminated. On the other hand, the cats' behavior also changes in that compatibility with other cats is increased and human-orientation is strengthened. The age of spaying/neutering plays hardly any role, meaning that behaviors associated with the reproductive drive, such as marking or roaming, disappear after spaying/neutering. However, the risk of certain types of cancer, such as mammary tumors, is lower the earlier the cat is spayed.
It is particularly positive that the life expectancy of spayed/neutered cats is significantly higher than that of unspayed/unneutered cats. Spayed female cats live on average one year longer, and neutered male cats even 4 years longer than their "intact" counterparts. This is probably primarily due to the fact that spayed/neutered cats lead a quieter life, have less contact with strange conspecifics, and roam less. This reduces the risk of suffering an accident, getting into a fight, or contracting an infectious disease.
The main disadvantage of spaying/neutering in cats is that the likelihood of becoming overweight is approx. 3.4 times greater than in unspayed/unneutered Precious. Overweight is simultaneously a risk factor for a number of diseases such as diabetes, urinary tract diseases, skin diseases, or joint problems. Since the energy requirements of cats decrease by approx. 30% after spaying/neutering and at the same time the cats' appetite increases, it is best to switch to an energy-reduced food specifically for spayed/neutered cats a few days before, or at the latest directly after, the procedure. To maintain ideal weight, especially for indoor-only cats, the feeding technique should also be adapted to the cats' needs.
Also read our guide articles 'Feeding cats correctly – how to prevent boredom' 'Overweight in dogs and cats: It's worth doing something about it!‘
Source
I.M. Reichler (2010): Benefits and disadvantages of spaying/neutering female and male cats. Schweiz. Arch. Tierheilk.; Volume 152, Issue 6, June 2010, 273 – 278
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At what age should a cat be spayed?
Cats should ideally be spayed before sexual maturity, i.e., between 6 and 7 months of age. For cats born late in the year, especially outdoor cats, spaying can be advisable as early as 4 to 5 months of age. It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian early on.
How do I know if my cat is sexually mature?
Female cats show their readiness to mate through restlessness, decreased appetite, and loud cries reminiscent of a crying baby. They rub against objects and roll on the floor. Male cats, on the other hand, begin to set strong-smelling urine markings and actively search for receptive female cats.
What are the Benefits of spaying/neutering cats?
Spaying/neutering offers numerous Benefits: It prevents heat symptoms, foul-smelling markings, and unwanted offspring. Spayed/neutered cats are often less aggressive, roam less, and are more human-oriented. Additionally, they have a higher life expectancy and a lower risk of infectious diseases and certain types of cancer.
Are there any disadvantages to spaying/neutering cats?
A main disadvantage of spaying/neutering is the increased tendency to become overweight, which raises the risk for diseases such as diabetes or urinary tract diseases. Since energy requirements decrease after spaying/neutering, a diet with reduced energy should be adopted to maintain ideal weight.
Why is it important to spay cats before sexual maturity?
Spaying before sexual maturity prevents unwanted pregnancies and reduces the proliferation of stray cats. It also lowers the risk for certain types of cancer and promotes a calmer, healthier life for the cat.
