How to prepare your cat for neutering or spaying

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Okay, this is a way long-overdue blog post but Momma said that we should post it anyway because neutering or spaying is a very important subject to share with other cat parents.

When I was a little kitten, Momma kept telling me the importance of neutering. I, of course, had no idea what she was telling me about, nor I cared about neutering. It didn’t even sound like food at all so, as always, I just ignored her!

Anyway, Momma says that neutering for male cats or spaying for female cats has so many benefits:

Reduces or eliminates the risk of spraying (males)
Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer (males)
Decreases incidence of prostate disease (males)
No heat cycles, therefore no male cats will be attracted (females)
Reduces or eliminates the risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer, especially if done before the first heat cycle (females)
Reduces the number of unwanted kittens/cats (males and females)
Decreases aggressive behavior (males and females)
Reduces or eliminates the desire to roam outside, by extension less likely to be injured in fights with other animals or traffic accidents (males and females)
Helps cats live longer and healthier lives (males and females)

How exactly to prepare your cat for neutering or spaying

1. Get yourself informed

It is important to know what neutering or spaying is, what the benefits are, and most importantly what the risks are. So, when we were at my vet for my second vaccination (I was only 3 months old at that time). Momma asked the vet for some more information about neutering and made an appointment for it way in advance.

2. Prepare everything timely

As soon as I became a 6-month-old kitten Momma confirmed our appointment with the vet and asked for some “last minute” tips about pre-neutering care. The evening before the surgery, I was not allowed to eat anything after 8 PM. So, I got my meal and my cat milk at 7.30 PM instead, and then I went to bed almost right after the meal.

3. Get ready for some whining

Early in the morning I woke up and demanded my breakfast and my morning cat milk. Momma said, “No, no, you heard what the vet had said. No meal, no milk for you. Have some water instead.” Of course, I started to whine and whine and whine for my food and cat milk. But, Momma insisted that we should be going to the vet. I hated it. I hated it!

4. Be on time

Before I could whine any further, I was already in my backpack waiting for the vet. I knew that something odd was going to happen as Momma handed me over to a veterinary technician. After Momma kissed me goodbye, I was taken away to the vet’s surgery room, and I had no idea what happened afterward.

5. Get ready for post-neutering care

I was so thrilled when Momma came back and picked me up at the vet. After discussing my post-neutering care, we were at last headed home. Finally, I would get my meal and my cat milk, or so I thought. Wrong! Momma was told by the vet not to give me any food before 8 PM.

The reason behind it was that I was still so drowsy and I could get choked on food. Still, it didn’t stop me from whining even more and tried to walk to the kitchen. Until I fell halfway through the kitchen. Momma said that she was sorry about it, and would prepare a special meal for me.

6. Be creative with food and cat milk

Momma couldn’t stand seeing me lying on the floor and crying for food. So, she started to mix one spoon of my wet food with two spoons of my cat milk. However, instead of just leaving me alone to enjoy my meal, Momma fed me with a small spoon. That way, she could monitor me eating my meal without the risk of choking. And yes, I devoured my special meal within minutes!

7. Keep monitoring

After my special meal, I started to relax and wash myself, and before I knew I fell asleep on the couch with Momma sitting next to me, keeping an eye on me, and monitoring my progress. A few hours later, I was myself again and Momma gave me my well-deserved meal and of course, my favorite cat milk. Yummy!

Yeah, I started to feel really, really great !!!

8. Licking preventions

Upon finishing my big meal, Momma dressed me up in a cute surgery recovery suit because I had managed to riggle myself out of my recovery cone previously (OH, I still hate those cones but I find suits more bearable to wear). So, it might be a good idea too for you to order some surgery recovery suits or cones for cats (or dogs) to prevent your cat from licking the wound: