Frequently Asked Questions: Desexing Cats

Simply click on a question below (use 'back to top' to return to the questions list)

• What are the advantages of desexing?
• What are the disadvantages of desexing?
• At what age should I have my cat desexed?
• Will desexing affect my cat's temperament?
• Should I allow my female cat to a have one litter?

What are the advantages of desexing?

There are a number of important reasons why this surgical procedure is performed.

• No unwanted kittens. Each year thousands of unwanted cats and kittens are put to sleep at pounds and sheltersthroughout Australia.
• Desexing makes it impossible for your cat to develop testicular cancer
• Your female cat will no longer come into heat, which means noisy calling and none of the neighbourhood cats hanging around!
• Desexing makes it impossible for your queen to have ovarian or uterine cancer as well as conditions such as pyometra (severe uterine infection)
• A desexed cat is cheaper to register at the local council
• Desexing is used to prevent and sometimes treat such behavioural conditions as:
• Inappropriate urination or spraying
• Dominance aggression
• Fighting between cats
• Territorial aggression
• Escaping and roaming

What are the disadvantages of desexing?

There is only one reason for not desexing your cat - using him for breeding. Once your cat is castrated or spayed they are rendered infertile for the remainder of their life. As a result they will never be able to have any kittens.

At what age should I have my cat desexed?

At Bondi Vets we recommend that all cats that are not going to be used for breeding should be desexed by 6 months of age. For female cats, this age it is usually before they have had their first oestrus cycle or "heat".

Will desexing affect my cat's temperament?

Spaying a female cat DOES NOT affect her temperament.

Should I allow my female cat to a have one litter?

The temperament of a queen DOES NOT change after having a litter and so it is not necessary to allow her to have a litter.