When is the best time to spay a British cat?

In addition, kittens who were operated too early, lag behind their peers in growth and development.

Peculiarities of neutering of British cats

Castration of a British cat is a surgical procedure that requires careful preparation. The owners first of all need to know at what age British cats are neutered, because if the operation is performed at the wrong time, the consequences for the health of the animal can be dire.

In the process of castration the testes are removed, which leads to the cessation of reproductive function of the body. In cats, attraction to cats appears as early as 7 months of life. This craving strongly affects their behavior. Owners expect heart-rending cries at night, aggressive behavior, and constant marking of territory in the apartment, which results in a terrible smell.

To avoid all these troubles and to enjoy the company of your calm and friendly pet, you should have your cat neutered at 7-8 months after birth. This way the kitten will be strong enough to survive the surgery and will quickly recover from it.

Veterinarians say that castration is not a complicated operation and can not lead to any bad consequences. But despite all the assurances of the doctors, you should rely primarily on the age of the pet. If the animal is old, there may be problems with tolerance of anesthesia, because the body of a mature pet is not as strong. Therefore there are always risks, and before going to the vet the pros and cons should be carefully weighed.

The optimal age for neutering a British cat

It is necessary to choose the most appropriate time when it is safest to neuter a British cat. This age is between 7 and 8 months.

The best time for the operation is when the kitten is strong enough to withstand anesthesia, and at the same time it has not yet begun its sex life.

Otherwise, there are no restrictions. An adult cat can be neutered at any time according to the owner's wish. But it should be understood that each animal has its own peculiarities. Therefore, it is necessary to appoint an operation only after a thorough examination by a veterinarian, who will make the final decision.

You should pay attention to a number of situations in which neutering is prohibited regardless of age:

When to castrate a British cat?

British breed cats begin to become adults when they are 6-8 months old. At this age the first changes in behavior begin: anxiety increases, the cat begins to meow loudly all of a sudden, and it can do this even at night, and most importantly – there is a very unpleasant smell. Some cats begin to show aggression in their behavior, it's not surprising and is quite normal from the point of view of physiology, because the yesterday's kitten becomes a mature male who has the task to continue reproduction.

Of course, not all owners are willing to put up with tags and aggressive behavior of their pet, so they begin to think about neutering. Moreover, if the cat does not participate in mating, it will sooner or later have a detrimental effect on his health. That is why most veterinarians and breeders recommend neutering British cats from 7 months of age. At this age, he will be quite mature and formed, and the genital organs will be normally developed. It is best that the cat has had no sexual contact with cats before neutering.

If the doctor has any doubts, he may prescribe additional tests, such as an EKG, a heart ultrasound or a blood chemistry test, before performing the surgery. In addition, preparation will be required before the visit to the clinic. You will need to keep your cat off food and water for several hours before the clinic visit. The vet will tell you the exact amount of time that the cat will have to be left without food – this is needed for anesthesia.

How does neutering of a British cat go?

The operation takes 20-30 minutes. The vet first administers anesthesia and waits for it to take effect. After that the cat is placed on the operating table, the hair on the scrotum is shaved and the skin is disinfected.

When all the preparations are done, the cat is castrated. The doctor makes a very small incision through which he removes both testicles. After removal, an external treatment and an antibiotic shot are given. As a rule, the cat goes out of anesthesia for 2-3 hours, and within a day it is still a little disoriented and lack of appetite, after which it returns to normal.

Pluses and minuses of cat sterilization

Pet sterilization, as well as other abdominal surgery is fraught with complications and health problems. In order to exclude them, it is necessary to perform it in a timely manner by a competent specialist. If you follow these conditions, you can minimize the likelihood of complications. Referring to statistics, we can see that it says that health problems occur in only 0.5% of patients, and full recovery occurs in a week after surgery.

It is worth taking into account that the cat's behavior will change after neutering, and age will not play an important role in this case. If the surgery is performed on a sexually mature cat that has reached the age of 6-9 months, it will become calmer, more docile and quite lazy.

Therefore, the owners need to provide her with proper nutrition and an active lifestyle. The spayed cat should be regularly taken outside, played with, and not overfed. Otherwise, the animal will begin to suffer from obesity and kidney and stomach problems.

What do veterinarians say?

According to many experts, the best age for spaying cats is from 7 weeks to 6 months. During this period, possible complications can be avoided. However there is a significant argument against it: the cat won't have time to reach sexual and physical maturity, and as a result it will experience hormonal changes after the operation, which are irreversible.

The process of genital development is completely connected to the hypothalamus, which is responsible for the behavioral reactions of every living being. This indicates that the cat can become unpredictable. Nevertheless, at a young age the animal will survive the operation more easily and the suture will heal much faster.

Another significant benefit of spaying a cat is that it greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer. It is also worth considering that neutered cats live longer (how long British cats live).

Behavior and care of a British cat after neutering

It is important to consider the fact that after the operation the cat's behavior will change and this does not depend in any way on age. If the cat is spayed at 6-9 months of age, it will be more docile, quiet and perhaps even lazy. This behavior will not go away after any length of time, it will always be like this.

After spaying, the cat's body undergoes some changes:

• Sex hormones that have an effect on the metabolic rate are not produced.
• There is also a decrease in cholesterol, the reproductive system and calcium leaching from the bone structure.
• The animal sleeps more, because there is no instinct to reproduce.

After spaying, the cat should be given conditions of peace and quiet, you should try to reduce its activity. You also shouldn't let her lick the places where the operation was done. The cat should be checked every day and the condition of the stitch should be monitored. You can wear an "Elizabethan" collar for comfort.

If the pet's general condition changes, vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, decreased appetite, you should contact the veterinarian. Taking care of a cat after such an operation requires a lot of patience, effort and care. You need to take care of the cat's motor activity and its diet.

Cat nutrition after sterilization

We need to remember the rule that the health of the pet is related to its diet.

When feeding a cat after surgery you should pay attention to the content of minerals in the food. Foods containing magnesium and phosphorus should be removed from the diet to rule out urolithiasis. It is necessary to give the animal a lot of water.

If the cat eats homemade food, then after sterilization it can be given porridges, meat, vegetables. You should not give fish.

If the pet prefers food, you should change the class to "premium" or "super premium".
If she does not have urolithiasis, you should not put her on a diet. This can do harm.

More in Pregnancy

When can I breed a British cat?

To perform the mating of a British cat it is necessary to wait until she is sexually mature. This usually happens when they are 7-9 months old. However it is recommended to perform the first mating with… Read more →.

The age for neutering British cats

At what age should a cat be spayed? Many veterinarians and scientists discuss this topic, but they all could not come to a consensus. Some … Read more →.

Timing of pregnancy in British cats, when to give birth?

Pregnancy is a major period in the life of a cat. If she has not yet been a mother, you need to know important information about her pregnancy. A British cat reaches maturity at…Read more →.

Nutrition

The British breed should be fed a balanced diet after surgery that is rich in vitamins and minerals. The cessation of hormone production leads to an imbalance in metabolism in the body, as a result of which the animals are able to gain weight quickly. To stop this process, it is recommended to strictly adhere to the diet and established norms.

Many food manufacturers have developed a diet specifically for neutered cats and spayed cats. Their composition has a minimum number of calories, while they do not lose their useful properties. In addition, they contain ingredients for the prevention of urolithiasis. This is very relevant, because after surgery the urinary tracts in British thoroughbreds are narrowed, and the risk of kidney and ureteral stones increases many times.

You can choose to feed not only premium dry food, but also a diet option based on natural food. It's never too late to switch your pet from one type of food to another.

Dry food

• Foods should be chosen not only for the operated individuals, but also specifically for the British breed;
• It is advisable to consult an experienced veterinarian before choosing one;
• Frequency: no more than three times a day in small portions, adhering to the rate indicated by the manufacturer on the package;
• The animals must always have plenty of clean water on their rations.

Natural food

A list of foods that must be present in the diet of neutered cats and spayed British breed cats:

Prohibited foods

• Fish and fish products, which are rich in phosphorus, are strictly prohibited;
• Other meats, especially pork and lamb, are also strictly forbidden;
• Various sweets and smoked foods are harmful even to ordinary individuals, not to mention those deprived of any, even a small part of the body;
• About cheap and low-quality products is also out of the question – they are contraindicated to absolutely everyone.

When can a cat be sterilized?

According to the recommendations of the American College of cats should not be spayed before 6 months of age. Anything done by breeders at 3 months of age is dangerous (high anesthetic risk), it can affect the growth and development of cats, and most likely will. It's usually done for business purposes (you have to sell the kitty while it's small, but be sure it won't be bred).

What about the practice of early castration (from 8 weeks), which America and Europe have practiced for about 30 years? "In 1993, Read more.

If you love dogs and cats as sincerely as we do, subscribe – we'll tell you about. – 15 Oct 2021 – purina.ru

It is recommended to spay female kittens before puberty, at the age of 3 to 6 months or after 6 months. Female cats should be spayed starting at 7-8 months of age. With puberty, pets develop appropriate habits. The cat begins to meow loudly, may run away from home in search of a partner. Cats mark territory. Therefore, it is better to spay before. Read more

Some features of the breed

When buying a kitten of this breed, it is important to consider that its members have a number of features (inherent in the breed), and even spaying cannot change them:

• Obesity: a typical condition for the breed. Therefore, even without spaying, it is important for you to choose a balanced diet for the kitten;
• character: independent. Some owners even say that the cat "has its own opinion;
• Not very sociable, does not require much attention, willful;
• They like active games even at a very mature age.

Why should a British cat be spayed?

As a cat owner, you probably socialize with other lovers of these animals. And of course you have heard them talk about what happens to their pets during heat, when the cat is cooped up and has to be carefully looked after so that it doesn't slip away into the streets. You have to realize that if you don't let the natural processes in your cat's body occur during heat and you don't spay her, it will definitely, with 100% certainty, end up with unsolvable health problems for the cat and consequently with your own peace of mind. Man makes some adjustments in the process of formation of any breed, but no one has yet managed to cheat nature. The body of a British cat is "programmed" to give birth after EVERY heat. And an "empty" heat sends special signals to the brain, which make the body release more and more estrogens into the blood. The body responds to this "injection" of active chemical compounds by increasing the number of bouts, up to weekly. Imagine this: the cat "walks" every week. The result will be very disastrous: she will begin to develop inflammations in the uterus (in particular pyometra) and form cysts in the uterus and ovaries. Hormonal preparations that are often given to cats to stop the heat do not help, they only worsen the situation, further changing the already "agitated" hormonal background.

For British breed cats, the issue of sterilization should be approached strictly INDIVIDUALLY. This largely depends not only on the owner's wishes, but also on the fact that for this operation the cat must be mature enough so that it will not lag behind in growth and development later on. Veterinarians agree that the best time for the operation is between 7.5 months and 1 year. The question immediately arises why, but for cats of other breeds are recommended somewhat other terms for this operation? They associate it with the change of teeth, the formation of the skeleton and the increase in body weight.

When you can't have the surgery

Veterinarians are inclined to believe that surgery performed on an animal under the age of 6 months may result in a lag in the development of the body.

It is undesirable to spay a domestic cat while it is in heat, as it will be more difficult to come out of anesthesia.

The optimal time is 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after heat. But sometimes sterilization is also performed during the heat period if there is a threat to the health of the animal.

How important is the age of the cat when it is spayed

To understand when a cat can be spayed, you need to monitor its growth and development. If at the age of 6 months, the animal has already reached a weight of 3 kg, most likely, the sexual system has already formed. Otherwise, it is worth waiting, but the operation should be carried out before the first heat and when the animal reaches the age of 1 year. Sterilization of a pregnant cat and complete removal of reproductive organs is performed only in extreme cases.

Adult cats (older than 1 year) are also sterilized, although they are much more difficult to tolerate the procedure. In order to maintain the health of the pet, sterilization should be performed after a complete examination.

One of the negative consequences can be the formation of tumors, such as the development of breast cancer. If a cat has already had more than two periods of heat, the chance of developing cancerous tumors exceeds 25%.

Owners of a British cat should approach this issue responsibly in order for the animal to live a long and healthy life. Specialists believe that to prevent complications, surgery should be performed at the optimal time for it.

Pros and cons of the procedure

Many people have the question of whether cats should be spayed. It is necessary to know what advantages the procedure has:

• The risk of developing diseases of the reproductive organs and the genitourinary system, including cysts, malignant tumors, breast cancer, is eliminated;
• one need not be afraid of an ectopic pregnancy and complications during childbirth;
• favorable effect on the mental and emotional state of the pet;
• getting rid of the state of constant stress, in which an unspayed animal stays;
• it is the most humane way to get rid of unwanted offspring.

When asking a veterinarian why a cat should be spayed, many people point out the disadvantages of the surgery:

1. The procedure is dangerous for some breeds – Maine Coons, British and Scottish lop ears, and Sphynxes. Cats of these breeds are prone to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Anesthesia is fraught with the formation and detachment of blood clots with subsequent blockage of blood vessels.
2. Future development of obesity is possible. Motor activity of the pet decreases and appetite increases.
3. Risk of malpractice.
4. Risk of infection by viruses and bacteria, followed by inflammatory processes if the sanitary conditions are unsatisfactory (during surgery at home).

Every owner decides for himself whether his cats need to be sterilized.

Cost of surgery

The cost of surgery depends on the complexity of the technique, the level of the veterinary clinic, and the cost of the medications used. Separately, the fee for inpatient observation for a day after the procedure and the vet's house call are taken into account.

The cheapest operation is neutering of a cat. Prices start from 800 rubles. A cat can be spayed or neutered for a price starting at 1200 rubles. The answer to the question of how much it costs to spay or neuter a cat can be found by contacting the clinic.

All information on this website is provided under the User Agreement and is not a direct instruction to action. We strongly recommend that you seek personal advice from an accredited veterinary clinic before applying any type of treatment.