What is Cat Spaying and Neutering Surgery
Spaying surgery for female cats and neutering surgery for male cats are surgical procedures widely recommended to maintain feline health, prevent behavioral problems, and avoid unintended breeding. In Japan, these procedures are routinely performed at most animal hospitals, and having your cat operated on at the appropriate time can greatly improve your cat's quality of life.
Why is Surgery Recommended?
- Prevention of reproductive system diseases (pyometra, mammary tumors, testicular tumors, etc.)
- Suppression of behavioral problems during heat (vocalizing, marking, escaping, aggression)
- Reduction of traffic accident and infection risk (feline AIDS, feline leukemia) from not going outdoors
- Social responsibility in reducing the number of unwanted cats due to uncontrolled breeding
Proper Timing for Surgery
Female Cat Spaying
Recommended timing: Around 6 months of age (ideally before the first heat)
Having surgery before the first estrus (heat) reduces the risk of mammary tumors by approximately 91% (74% reduction if after first heat, 14% reduction after two or more heats).
However, considering the impact on skeletal growth, many veterinarians recommend waiting until the cat weighs 2 to 2.5 kg or more (typically 4–6 months of age). For large breeds like Maine Coons, surgery around 1 year of age may be recommended in some cases.
Signs of Heat (Reasons to Rush Surgery)
- Unusually affectionate behavior and increased purring
- Low, distinct vocalizations ("Aow-ow-ow" sound or "calling")
- Rubbing body against floors and walls
- Stamping hind legs or arching the back with rear legs raised
Once heat begins, surgery is typically performed after the heat cycle subsides (bleeding and other complications are more likely during heat).
Male Cat Neutering
Recommended timing: Around 6–8 months of age (after testicles have descended)
The testicles in male cats typically descend into the scrotum around 4–6 months of age (consult your veterinarian if one or both testicles fail to descend). Neutering improves the following behavioral problems:
- Spraying behavior (urine marking): marking walls and furniture with strong-smelling urine
- Aggression over territory
- Wandering and escape urges
- Obsession with females in heat and accompanying vocalizations
While spraying behavior may not completely disappear after neutering, improvement is seen in 85–90% of cats (behaviors that are already habitual before surgery may persist in some cases).
Surgery Details and Procedure
Female Cat Spaying
Surgical procedure: Under general anesthesia, the ovaries (or ovaries and uterus) are removed. Surgery may involve "ovary removal only" or "ovary and uterus removal (ovariohysterectomy)," with the latter being standard in Japan.
Surgery duration: Approximately 30–60 minutes
Hospital stay: Same-day discharge to one night, typically
Estimated cost (Japan): Approximately 15,000–40,000 yen (varies by hospital and region)
Male Cat Neutering
Surgical procedure: Under general anesthesia or sedation, the testicles are removed through small incisions in the scrotum. This is a relatively quick procedure with less tissue trauma than spaying, and stitches are usually unnecessary.
Surgery duration: Approximately 15–30 minutes
Hospital stay: Same-day discharge is common
Estimated cost (Japan): Approximately 10,000–25,000 yen
Pre-operative Preparation
- Fasting and water restriction: Usually 12 hours of fasting before general anesthesia and 4–6 hours of water restriction
- Pre-operative examination: Blood work to confirm the cat is healthy enough to tolerate anesthesia
- Regular vaccinations should be current prior to surgery
Post-operative Care
Surgery Day to Several Days After
- Keep your cat calm and at rest while recovering from anesthesia (watch for wobbly movements and low body temperature)
- Apply an Elizabethan collar to prevent the cat from licking the incision
- Check the incision daily for redness, swelling, discharge, or openness (see a veterinarian immediately if any occur)
- Restrict vigorous exercise and jumping for 1–2 weeks
Long-term Diet Management
After spaying or neutering, basal metabolism decreases by 20–25%, making obesity more likely.
- Switch to a calorie-controlled "spayed/neutered cat food" after surgery
- Reduce daily food intake by approximately 20–30% as a guideline
- Monitor weight regularly and consult with your veterinarian
Behavioral Changes
Changes commonly observed after surgery:
- Cats become calmer and aggression decreases
- Spraying and marking behavior decrease (especially in males)
- Interest in being outdoors diminishes
Surgery does not change your cat's "personality" or playful nature. In fact, most cats become calmer and more pleasant to live with.
Common Questions About Spaying and Neutering
"Isn't surgery cruel?"
Cats do not consciously desire to bear offspring the way humans do. The temporary pain of surgery is outweighed by avoiding the intense stress of heat (continuous yowling, escape urges) and the risk of reproductive system disease, making cats happier in the long term in most cases.
"Should a cat have kittens at least once before surgery?"
This is a medical myth without scientific basis. Whether or not a cat has had kittens does not affect the benefits of surgery (such as mammary tumor prevention), and early surgery is actually more effective at preventing disease.
"Is surgery necessary for indoor cats?"
Indoor cats still experience behavioral problems during heat (especially vocalizing), stress from hormonal fluctuations, and disease risk from the reproductive system. Surgery is recommended for indoor cats as well.
Cat spaying and neutering is a safe procedure when performed at the appropriate time by a qualified animal hospital. Consult with your veterinarian to choose the best timing for your cat.
Surgical Procedure and Costs
Before surgery, a pre-operative examination including blood work is performed to check liver and kidney function and rule out anemia. Once your cat's health is confirmed to be good, a surgery date is scheduled. On the day of surgery, fasting typically begins the night before (most hospitals allow water until the morning of surgery).
Female spaying surgery involves making an abdominal incision under general anesthesia and removing the ovaries and uterus. The procedure typically takes 30–60 minutes, with 1–3 days of hospitalization afterward. An increasing number of hospitals now offer same-day discharge procedures.
Male neutering involves making a small incision in the scrotum under general anesthesia and removing the testicles. The procedure typically takes 15–30 minutes, and because it is less invasive than spaying, same-day discharge or one-day hospitalization is standard.
Costs vary by hospital, but neutering typically costs 10,000–25,000 yen and spaying 15,000–40,000 yen. Pre-operative examination costs (approximately 5,000–10,000 yen) may be charged separately. Some municipalities offer subsidies for these procedures, so check what programs are available in your area.
