Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Cat

Whether you’ve recently adopted a cat or you’re considering it, the decision to spay or neuter your cat will be one of the biggest decisions you make regarding your cat’s health and welfare as well as the welfare of other cats. The cat overpopulation problem is devastatingly serious and animals are being put to death every day because shelters simply don’t have the room. Healthy animals are put to death because people don’t act responsibly.

When Should you Neuter your Cat?

Age for neutering

Traditionally male and female cats have often been neutered at six months of age.

Neuter and Spay Surgery

If you’re concerned about the surgical risk associated with neutering or spaying, the surgery is very low risk.

The surgery for male cats involves the removal of the testicles by way of an incision in the scrotum. No sutures are required and post-op care involves monitoring to make sure the healing incision stays clean and dry. Your cat will go home the morning after the surgery.

The surgery for females consists of removing the uterus, tubes and ovaries through an abdominal incision. The few sutures across your cat’s shaved abdomen are removed about ten days post-op.

What Happens if You Don’t Neuter Your Male Cat

If you’re under the impression keeping your male cat intact is the kinder choice, you’re dooming your cat to a life of frustration and being at the mercy of hormones.

An unneutered male will mate and the result adds to pet overpopulation. If the female with whom he mates is a stray cat then those kittens will likely also live an outdoor life and grow up intact where they will continue to mate.

Intact male cats will spray. They will be on a mission to roam, increase their territory, find a mate and fight competitors. If your cat is an indoor kitty then that behavior will be directed at companion cats. The spraying will be directed at your furniture and belongings.

Don’t assume just because your cat lives exclusively indoors he won’t contribute to overpopulation or endure any of the suffering associated with life outdoors as an intact cat. Cats escape from their homes every day. Your cat could easily slip out the door.

If you allow your cat outdoors then you’ll put him at risk of injury or even death as he fights other males while in search of a female in heat. Intact males tend to roam beyond their usual territory to search for females. Your cat may enter into the territory of a rougher and tougher male and the end result of that fight could be tragic.

The more your intact outdoor male fights and mates, the more he is at risk of contracting disease as well as spreading disease.There is so much suffering involved with cat fights that could easily be avoided by neutering your cat and keeping him indoors.

What Happens if You Don’t Spay Your Female Cat

As with the description above about life for an outdoor male, an outdoor female will endure fights and repeated mating. The feline mating process is not a pretty one – it’s violent and extremely stressful. It also puts the cat at risk of contracting disease as well as spreading disease. Giving birth, especially if your cat is very young, can pose a health risk to her as well.
An intact indoor cat will vocalize, try to escape and become a victim of hormones. Life for an unspayed adult female cat is filled with stress. It’s also very stressful for everyone else in the family. She will not be a pleasant companion to live with. She’ll also attract every intact male in the neighborhood. You may find yourself dealing with cats who are spraying outside your windows or fighting in your backyard because they know there’s a cat in heat close by.

Repeated heat cycles are also very stressful on a cat’s body. If your cat is spayed before her first heat cycle you reduce or eliminate the risk of mammary, ovarian and uterine cancer.

How much does neutering a cat cost?

Cost of neutering a cat in Kenya

Many vets have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make surgery easily affordable and accessible. The average rate in Mombasa is between KES 2,500 – KES 3,000.

Cost to spay a cat in Nairobi KES 8,000

Cost to neuter a cat in Nairobi KES 5,000

In Lamu you can get your cat neutered for free at Lamu Animal Welfare Clinic.

Cost of neutering a dog in Kenya

Many vets have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make surgery easily affordable and accessible.

The average cost for dog castration in Mombasa is KES 5,500

The average cost for dog castration in Nairobi is KES 10,500

To spay a dog the cost varies depending on weight, from KES 12,000 – KES 16,000

In Lamu you can get your dog neutered for free at Lamu Animal Welfare Clinic.

If you’re in Mombasa the local animal shelter, KSPCA Mombasa, occasionally offers free or low-cost spay/neuter surgery for financially challenged dog and cat owners.

To find a low-cost vet near you, search our directory.