At Battersea Dogs & Cats Home we care for almost
9,000 animals every year. Dogs and cats are brought in
to the Home as strays or by their owners who are no longer
able to care for them. Every year we take in numerous kittens
and puppies who are only a few weeks old and the result
of unplanned pregnancies.
Owners often find themselves unable to cope with the
time needed or costs incurred when caring for these young,
dependent animals. Sometimes, female cats and dogs come
through our doors already pregnant and at the Home we
care for the new kittens and puppies before finding them
new homes.
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
4 Battersea Park Road
London
SW8 4AA
Old Windsor
Priest Hill
Old Windsor
Berkshire
SL4 2JN
Brands Hatch
Crowhurst Lane
Ash
Kent
TN15 7HH
Telephone 020 7622 3626
Fax 020 7622 6451
Telephone 01784 432929
Fax 01784 471538
Telephone 01474 874994
Fax 01474 872855
www.battersea.org.uk | www.facebook.com/Battersea | Twitter is @BDCH
Registered Charity No. 206394
A member of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes
Ref: 12/NDC/03
Factsheet
The importance of neutering
dogs and cats
Reproduction
What is neutering?
Why should I neuter?
Female dogs and cats are both capable of having
several litters a year. A female dog can have
two litters a year with up to ten puppies in each
litter. Female cats can have up to three litters in a
year with five or six kittens born each time. If the
descendants of an unneutered female cat are also
left unneutered and go on to breed, between them
they could produce up to 20,000 cats within five
years. That is a huge number of cats in need of
loving homes.
Neutering is a simple operation performed
by a vet whilst the animal is under general
anaesthetic. In male animals, the operation is
called ‘castration’ and involves removing the
testes. In female animals, the operation is called
‘spaying’ and involves removing the womb and
ovaries. Neutering your pet means that they will
no longer be able to reproduce.
Neutering does have a number of benefits.
Owning an unneutered female dog or cat can
be very stressful when they come into season.
For dogs, this can be twice a year and last for
up to three weeks. During this time you are likely
to notice blood spots around the house and
particularly in the areas where your dog sleeps.
A female cat can come into season multiple times
during the year, it will vary between individuals
and breeds. Whilst in season your female dog
or cat can become pregnant if mated with an
unneutered male.
There is no doubt that the numbers
of unwanted cats and dogs coming
in through the doors of rescue
centres such as Battersea could
be greatly reduced if owners took the
decision to neuter their pets.
As well as the mess involved, your female dog
may be pursued by persistent male dogs which
can make walks very difficult. A female dog in
season may try to escape to find a mate and
unneutered male dogs will go to great lengths to
meet a female in season including scaling garden
walls and running away on walks.
Whilst in season, a female cat is likely to attract
unneutered male cats to the garden. During
this time, you will need to keep your female cat
indoors as, if she is left free to roam, she will
Dispelling the myths
almost certainly meet and mate with a male.
Whilst in season, she is likely to constantly be
looking for an escape route and could also be
very vocal.
A neutered female dog or cat will no longer come
into season and so many of these problems can
be avoided.
There are also some medical benefits associated
with neutering. In dogs, castration removes the
risk of testicular tumours developing and helps to
prevent the onset of conditions such as prostate
disease which is common in unneutered male
dogs. In female dogs, spaying can reduce the risk
of mammary tumours and removes the threat of
womb infections which can be very serious.
Unneutered male cats tend to be territorial and
can be more aggressive towards other male cats
which can result in fights. As well as the risk of
serious injury, this can put them at greater risk of
catching FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus).
My dog will get fat if I have her neutered
With an appropriate diet and plenty of exercise,
there is no reason why your neutered pet should
gain weight. It is possible that your dog or cat
may need less food than before and your vet
will be able to advise you on monitoring your
pet’s weight.
It is healthier for my cat or dog to have
a litter before neutering
This is a myth. There is no medical reason for
your pet to have a litter before neutering and
pregnancy itself actually carries a number of
health risks. Your vet will be able to advise you
on the best age to have your dog or cat neutered.
Neutering will make my pet better behaved
It is certainly true that neutering can help with
some behaviour issues. Unneutered male cats
spray strong smelling urine to mark their territory;
this could be in your house, garden and in your
neighbours’ gardens. Neutering will reduce the
urge to do this and is also likely to reduce the
aggressive behaviour associated with guarding
territory. Neutering male dogs will reduce their
need to scent mark too. Neutering can also
reduce some undesirable dog behaviours such
as mounting people’s legs and furniture which can
be embarrassing for owners. However, neutering
will not ‘fix’ all naughty behaviours and it is
important to seek expert advice if your cat
or dog is displaying serious problem behaviours.
It is important to realise that both cats and dogs
are able to reproduce from a young age. Most cats
reach sexual maturity, and are able to reproduce,
at around six months of age but it can be as young
as four months. The age at which dogs are able to
reproduce does vary hugely and different breeds
mature at different speeds so it is always a good
idea to consult your vet about your individual dog.
For more information about neutering, please
speak to your vet. For advice on behaviour and
training, please visit www.battersea.org.uk/
help_advice. We offer behaviour advice to
owners of ex-Battersea animals. To talk to
someone, email [email protected]
or call 020 7627 9234.