If you’re thinking about neutering your cat or dog you may be wondering what’s involved and how you might make the process as easy as possible. We also have other articles on the benefits of neutering cats and neutering dogs and what changes you might see afterwards if you’re interested. For now though let’s see what you can do to help before and after the day itself.
Talk to your vet/nurse team. Make sure you understand exactly what is involved and why they might be asking you to do certain things.
Follow the pre-operative advice. You might be told to withhold food from the night before and water from the morning of the op. This is important for anaesthetic safety so make sure food is out of reach. Don’t feel guilty. It’s one night and it’s most certainly for their own good.
Keep your cat in! Even if your cat is always home in the morning you can bet that the day you really need them to be there they will be off galavanting round the neighbourhood. It might be a pain to keep them in but we have to cancel and delay plenty of cat neutering operations because of cats that have gone out at exactly the wrong time!
Toys, blankets and home comforts. Ask your vet if they’re happy for you to take your pet’s own bed or their favourite toy in with them. The smell of home can help them feel happier while they are away from you.
The cone of shame! You may be asked to put a surgical collar on your pet. These are notoriously annoying for everyone concerned but the few days they need to be worn are small fry compared to an opened up abdominal wound and all the complications as well as the extra expense that come with it.
Tasty Tips
Exercise. You might be told to keep your cat in for one or more nights after the op and your dog may not be allowed off the lead for a couple of weeks. Neutering female pets may be routine but is still fairly major abdominal surgery even if done with keyhole surgery (laparoscopy). Follow this advice to help them heal properly, The better the recovery the quicker they’ll be back tearing round the park.
Go for your post-op checks. These are important for spotting whether there are any issues with the wound or signs of infection.
Give the medication you are given. You may be given pain-relief medication for your pet post-op. Your vet will try and make sure this is as easy to give as possible. Do your best because cats and dogs that are pain-free will bounce back much quicker than those that can’t face the idea of moving or eating.
Be prepared for their friend to act differently. If you have other pets in the house they sometimes act quite differently when the other pet comes home. The hospital environment makes them smell weird and the cone can scare other pets. Give it a day or two and they’ll soon be friends again. Don’t force it.
Talk to your vet about feeding. Your pet may need some special, easily digested food the night of the operation but longer term it might be time to change to a food for neutered cats or dogs. Don’t ever change food without talking to your vet. Especially if your pet is still growing.
It’s totally normal as an owner to feel guilty about neutering their pet. Imagine how guilty I felt when it was actually me that castrated both my beautiful dogs, Pan and Badger! The thing to remember is that it is soon over and the benefits for both you and your pets are many.
Related products
Adult Multipack Wet Dog Food with Chicken, Turkey & Beef
Hill's Science Plan Adult Dog Food Variety Pack is composed of 12 loaf cans: 6 with Chicken, 3 with Beef & 3 with Turkey. It is a complete pet food for adult dogs 1–6 years old.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously soft mousse is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Perfect Weight Adult Small & Mini Breed Dog Mousse with Turkey
Chicken recipe, small breed dry dog food with for the weight support and balanced nutrition for overall health. With small kibble size for tiny mouths, quality protein for lean muscle.
Perfect Digestion Adult Small & Mini Breed Dog Mousse with Turkey
Science Plan's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Related articles
Proteins
To make a protein, amino acids are linked together in a long chain. The chain is then bundled into to a three-dimensional structure, like a tangled ball of yarn.
The Incredible Science Behind Your Pet's Microbiome
Learn what your pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut and overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
What Nutrients Can Help a Pet’s Immune System?
Learn why nutrients like antioxidants & amino acids can help improve your pet's immune system, as well as top antioxidants to look for in pet food.
The Right Diet For Your Pet
In people, the right diet is very important. If you are eating the wrong way for your metabolism, activity level, age and lifestyle you could end up with health issues.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your pet on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.