06/09/2026
Lately, we have an increased number of unwanted stray cats and kittens left into the clinic, some injured, some abandoned and yet no claims of ownership. There have been welfare concerns regarding the state of some of these poor unwanted little ones. Malnourished and infested with fleas and worms, despite friendly mannerisms would indicate these cats and kittens have come from close contact homes and may have been abandoned or dumped. This causes me great frustration as it is so simple to neuter your cat, be a responsible cat owner and avoid unwanted litters. Care for your cat OR give it to someone that does care!
Neutering is the general term for the operation that prevents all cats from being able to mate and produce kittens. It is also known as spaying or castrating. Spaying is the word used to describe a female cat getting neutered, and castrating is the word used to describe a male cat getting neutered.
Cats can be neutered at any age, but we’d recommend getting your kitten neutered at around four to six months old. To prevent any unwanted litters, it’s important to get them neutered as early as possible.
Until your cat is neutered, keep them indoors and separated from any other unneutered cats. Remember, cats aren’t selective about who they breed with.
Neutering prevents unwanted litters of kittens and helps to prevent more cats being born than there are homes available, in such a way as to create a balanced cat population to ensure that every cat has a safe and happy home.
Cats are effective breeders, and female cats can get pregnant from around four months old. Making sure your kitten is neutered is particularly important.
As well as preventing unwanted kittens, neutering your cat has plenty of health benefits too.
Female cat neutering prevents behaviours associated with being ‘in heat’ or ‘in season’. These can include calling or wailing, spraying smelly p*e, trying to escape and wandering further than normal. Unneutered female cats can come into heat every two to three weeks
Reduces the risk of womb infections and infections transmitted from their mate which is often a rogue stray Tom.
Reduces the risk of tumours and certain cancers.
Helps your cat to stay healthy. Pregnancies can cause female cats to lose weight, be less healthy and be more vulnerable to disease
Prevents worry for owners. Caring for a cat through pregnancy, birth and then looking after her kittens is hard work. It costs a lot of time, effort and money. Female cats can have up to 18 kittens a year, which is a lot of extra mouths for owners to feed and rehome
Male cat neutering reduces the risk of roaming. Unneutered male cats can wander far away to find a mate, making it more likely they will get lost or injured in a road traffic accident
Reduces the risk of them fighting with other males, in turn, helping to prevent them contracting and spreading infectious diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV)
Reduces the risk of spraying smelly p*e in the house
Reduces the risk of aggressive behaviour. They can become aggressive if they get frustrated at not being able to find a mate
We recommend that all cats are microchipped, this may be done at neutering.
If you are struggling with the cost of neutering, there may be help available through CPL, the UK’s leading cat welfare charity, through their means-tested neutering scheme. Northern Ireland Cat Centre
Don't delay, Book your neutering today!
