Cat spaying and neutering is a surgical procedure that has divided opinions among pet owners. Some may oppose this idea, but many pet owners agree that this surgery is essential to support the health of their cats.
It’s a procedure that surgically removes a cat’s reproductive organs. These surgeries remove a cat’s ability to produce offspring and experience heat.
The general term is neutering. Spaying refers to females, while castration refers to males. Spaying a cat removes the ovaries and uterus of the female feline, while the testicles are removed from male cats through castration.
Generally, they are recommended for kittens when they reach the age of four to six months.
While it offers a ton of benefits, there are also other things to consider when spaying a cat. Here’s everything you need to know about the process.
Why Is Spaying a Cat Important?
Spaying has several physical, mental, and behavioral benefits for cats. It’s also beneficial for entire communities as it’s a direct answer to the overpopulation of cats in Dubai.
Health Benefits
Cat spaying and neutering provide a ton of health benefits. These include:
Prevents life-threatening diseases. Spaying completely removes the ovaries and uterus. This means that uterine infections, cancers, and other diseases that typically involve them will be eliminated completely.
Reduces the risk of mammary tumors. Breast cancer is a dangerous and malignant disease. If the procedure is done before the first heat cycle of cats, spaying can reduce the risk of mammary tumors by up to 90%.
Prevents unwanted pregnancy. Spaying a cat prevents unwanted pregnancies and other complications involved in giving birth to kittens.
Decreases the risk of injuries and fights. Cat neutering reduces their urge to roam outside, making them less prone to injuries from cars, falls, and other animals.
Provides a longer and healthier life. By preventing life-threatening and serious diseases, cats are able to live longer, healthier, and happier lives with their owners.
Mental and Behavioral Benefits
Apart from the physical health benefits, neutering also improves a cat’s mental health and behavior.
Makes cats calmer. Spayed cats are generally calmer and relaxed due to the absence of heat cycles altering their behavior.
Reduces aggression and anxiety. Neutered cats are also less anxious, stressed, and aggressive toward other animals and people. This decreases the chances of fights with other cats and pets.
Decreases roaming and mating behavior. Spaying a cat decreases their urge to roam and go outside to seek potential mates.
Reduces spraying behavior. Cats in heat generally spray to mark territory. Neutering them will significantly decrease this behavior, making the home cleaner.
Community Benefits
The stray cat problem in Dubai isn’t surprising for residents. That’s why several efforts are continuously being conducted to counter this issue.
Many animal shelters and rescue groups strive to save all abandoned cats. However, as the number of stray cats continues to rise, concerned citizens and rescue organizations struggle to keep up.
Through neutering programs, such as the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR), the population of strays can decrease, and shelters can be less strained.
Some of the benefits to the community include:
Reduces the stray population. By spaying cats, the population can be controlled. It also helps in tackling the overcrowding issue that most pet shelters and rescue organizations face.
Prevents the spread of disease. Unspayed cats have an increased risk of uterine infections that can be easily spread to other cats. Spaying them completely reduces the risk of spreading.
Decreases the cost of organizations. Rescue and rehoming efforts are expensive, especially since they include feeding, vaccinating, and caring for cats. By spaying cats, organizations will have decreased costs.
At What Age Should a Female Cat Be Spayed?
We recommend having your cat spayed around 5 to 6 months old, before its first heat cycle. That said, the ideal age can vary based on your cat’s health, breed, and lifestyle. These factors will be considered during the initial checkup prior to the surgery.
Vet Tips: How to Prepare for the Cat Spaying Surgery
When you decide to spay your cat, our vets will guide you in preparing your best friend. Here are the essentials you can expect:
Have Your Cat Checked
Before spaying a cat, we’ll have to conduct some tests. This may include blood tests and a physical examination to make sure they can handle the anesthesia and surgery. We’ll also check if your cat’s vaccinations are up to date to reduce the risk of infections.
Prepare Your Cat
Withhold food and water for 6 to 8 hours before the procedure, or as advised by the vets. This reduces the risk of vomiting and other complications.
Put Together a Recovery Space
Before you leave for the clinic, we recommend that pet owners prepare a comfortable space for cats to recover. This must be clean and quiet to make post-op care smoother.
Bring the Essentials
Bring a secure carrier and a couple of its favorite toys and blankets for the trip to the clinic. It’s best if it’s something your cat usually uses to make it feel comfortable and less agitated before spaying.
The Process of Spaying a Cat
While surgery might seem scary, this procedure is safe and has a high chance of success. It’s a routine surgery performed by our expert vets. To keep your mind at ease, we’ll give you an overview of what happens.
Administering the Anesthesia
Our vets will administer anesthesia to your cat before the spaying surgery. This ensures it’s unconscious during the procedure. We will calculate the exact dosage for the anesthetic based on your cat’s health status, age, and weight.
Creating the Incision
Spaying a cat involves making a small cut in the abdomen to provide access to the uterus and ovaries. The incision is around 2 to 4 inches long, depending on the cat's size.
Removing the Organs
Once the site is clear and ready, we’ll remove the uterus and ovaries gently. Our vets will then proceed to control the bleeding and make sure there are no complications after removal.
Closing the Incision
After the removal of the reproductive organs, our vets will close the incision using surgical glue or absorbable stitches. The method of closing the spaying incision will also depend on the length of the cut made.
In some cases, our surgeons will use both sutures for the inner layers of the skin and glue on the outer layer.
Managing Pain After Surgery
As with any surgery, the anesthesia will wear off after some time, and your cat may experience pain. To help them have a comfortable recovery, we will provide pet medications and pain relievers, as well as instructions on how to give them to your cat.
Most cats return home the same day after the spaying surgery. But before you head home, our vets will conduct a final health check and recommend any strategies for post-op care at home.
Post-Op Care for Spayed Cats
During their recovery, provide them with extra care and attention. Post-surgery care requires time and proper knowledge so your cat can have a rapid and safe recovery.
Here are some tips for caring for your neutered cat.
Limit physical activity. Keep your cat indoors in a safe and comfortable area. Be sure to restrict any physical activity for at least two weeks to prevent the incision from reopening.
Check the incision regularly. You’ll know the incision is healing when it continuously dries up every day. If you notice signs of swelling, redness, or pus, contact our vets immediately, as these can be indications of an infection.
Use an E-collar or cone. An Elizabethan collar or cone prevents your cat from biting or licking the incision. This helps avoid infections, making the recovery process a lot smoother.
Maintain a clean environment. Make sure your cat’s recovery space is clean and free from potential hazards. Replace bedding and pillows regularly. Maintaining a clean resting space prevents infection and other complications.
Follow medication guidelines. After the spaying surgery, we will prescribe pain medications or antibiotics. Make sure that you administer these medications exactly as instructed.
How Long Do Cats Take to Recover From Spaying?
Generally, cats take about 10 to 14 days to recover from the spaying procedure. For the first 24 to 48 hours, your cat will still be a bit drowsy and uncomfortable. They’ll have a reduced appetite, often preferring to rest and recuperate. This is completely normal.
During days 3 to 7, you can expect your cat to recover gradually. They might start regaining their normal eating habits and energy levels. However, we require you to restrict any physical activity so the incision site can heal.
From days 10 to 14, most cats will have recovered significantly. The incision site is almost fully healed, and you can start to schedule a checkup for your cat.
Possible Complications of Spaying a Cat
While most spaying procedures have no complications, there can be occasional risks that you must watch out for.
Anesthetic side effects. This complication is quite rare, but it still occurs in some cats, especially in senior cats or those with existing health conditions.
Infections. The spay incision site may become infected when your cat recovers in an unsanitized area or licks or bites the incision.
Herniation. There are cases when internal organs go through the incision, which can be a serious problem that needs emergency vet care.
Loss of appetite and extreme lethargy. It’s normal if your cat feels lethargic and has a reduced appetite. However, when these symptoms persist, you should take your cat to the vet for a checkup.
What Are the Costs of Spaying a Cat?
At our clinic, the cost for our cat spaying and neutering services starts at AED 1,500 for males and AED 1,155 for females. If your cat has any underlying conditions that might make the surgery more complex, there could be additional costs.
"Spaying your cat is a promise for health and happiness."
- Dr. Lidija Krvavac
Final Thoughts
Neutering or spaying your cat is a responsible decision you can make as a pet owner. It can enhance your cat’s health and behavior while also contributing to reducing the stray cat population in Dubai.
With that, if you need help getting started, give us a call. We’ll be happy to assist you and your cat in this huge chapter of your lives.
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