The best time to neuter a male cat is when he is 4 1/2 to 5 months of age. But don’t worry if your cat is older. He can be neutered at any age as long as he is healthy.

Why that specific window? And what if you missed it? Here is what you need to know.

Why the Rush?

When cats reach sexual maturity, no matter how wonderful and lovable they are now, they become less than stellar housemates. Their urine becomes very stinky and the odor permeates the house even with the best attention to the litter box. They also mark territory which means spraying urine onto vertical surfaces like furniture and cabinets. They’re more inclined to fight with other cats and they are very interested in finding female cats which leads to roaming and strong attempts to escape the house.

Cats reach sexual maturity as early as 5 months of age. Once these behaviors start, they can become habits. That is why most veterinary organizations recommend neutering before maturity kicks in.

What About Kittens? Is 4 Months Too Young?

Don’t worry about your kitten being too young at 4 to 5 months old. The youngsters bounce back really fast.

Shelters routinely neuter cats at 8 weeks of age. Though these kitties do fine, we recommend waiting a bit longer for owned cats. For feral cats or those that need to be put up for adoption, early neutering is fine. But for your owned kitty, we recommend he get his first two sets of shots (at around 8 and 12 weeks of age) first. Neuter at least 2 weeks after the second set of shots. This way, he is well protected before going through the stress of a surgery.

What If My Cat Is Already an Adult?

It is never too late. Neutering removes the hormones behind the odor and the behavior. It reduces or eliminates spraying, makes the litter box far more pleasant, and helps keep your cat safely indoors. Since neutering removes the testicles, it also prevents testicular cancer.

If your cat has already reached sexual maturity, you can expect to see less cat-on-cat aggression, reduced or eliminated spraying, and less roaming or escape attempts. The litter box will also smell a whole lot better.

Neutering does not change your cat’s personality. He will still be the same cat, just without the hormone-driven behaviors that make life harder for both of you.

What Happens During the Procedure?

The feline neuter is one of the simplest surgeries in veterinary medicine. Your cat receives an injection of pain relief medication and anesthetic agents. A local anesthetic block is applied for added comfort. The veterinarian makes a small incision in the scrotum, removes the testicles, and the procedure is done. Per best practice guidelines, cat neuter incisions are not closed. Because of their anatomy, closing their incisions can lead to fluid buildup and infections.

At Ace of Spays, we use short-acting anesthetics and reversible agents because they are safer, even though they cost more. With over 20 years of focused surgical experience, our veterinarian’s skill means your cat spends very little time under anesthesia. Less time under anesthesia means better safety. An experienced surgeon also means less tissue trauma and a more comfortable recovery.

Your cat goes home the same day.

Before You Schedule

A few things to take care of first:

• Vaccines. We do not require vaccines because they protect your pet, not our other visitors. However, we recommend proper protection for your cat. If you follow kitten guidelines of a vaccine at 8 weeks and again at 12 weeks, then wait until he is 4-5 months old for surgery, he will be well covered. You can even schedule the surgery at 4 months of age and get his last round of vaccines while here. For adult unvaccinated cats, we recommend a distemper vaccine at least 3 weeks prior to surgery to make sure he is well protected before going through the stress of a surgical procedure.
• Bloodwork. Strongly recommended for cats over 5 years old. Required for cats over 7. Can be done at your vet or at our clinic. Must be scheduled at least 3 business days before surgery. Call (609) 267-2111.
• Health concerns. If your cat has any health issues at all, please contact us before scheduling. Our clinic is for healthy pets, but we can help in some cases.
• Exams. You do not need an exam by your regular vet beforehand. Our veterinarian does a pre-surgical exam the morning of surgery.

Recovery Is Fast

Male cats bounce back fast. Most appear perfectly normal by pick-up time, and their owners are back to work the next day.

Keep him confined to a small area with food, water, and litter for 10 days to limit running, jumping, and playing. Indoor/outdoor cats must stay inside for 10 days. No baths for 10 days. The scrotum may swell to about the size it was when he had testicles. This is normal and resolves within 1 to 2 weeks.

Some mild sleepiness the evening of surgery is not the norm but it is possible. Your cat should be interested in food but one missed meal is not a problem. Try a high value food if he doesn’t want to eat. Tuna fish or chicken breast often do the trick.

What to Watch for After Surgery

Contact a veterinarian if you notice:

• Pus or a foul smell from the surgical area
• Bleeding that does not stop after a few drops
• Your cat is still lethargic or not eating after 24 hours
• Trembling, or reluctance to move
• Excessive licking or chewing at the incision site

Trust your instincts. When in doubt, call the vet. We are easy to reach for post-operative questions, and complimentary post-operative checks are available when needed.

You can read more in our full guide to signs of complications after spay/neuter surgery.

Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications. Many are toxic to cats.

Ready to Schedule?

A male cat neuter at Ace of Spays is $148 with no hidden fees. That includes the pre-operative exam, pain relief injection, anesthesia, surgery, monitoring, and a post-operative exam. Pain medications can be purchased to be given at home for those cats willing to take them. Our clinics run every Tuesday, Friday, and select Wednesdays.

Or just call us at (609) 267-2111