Neutering & Spaying
Unless your cat is part of a registered breeding program, neutering (for males) or spaying (for females) is one of the best things you can do for their health and your sanity. It's a routine operation, and most cats are back to normal within a few days.
When
Many vets now recommend around four months, before the first heat. Females can come into heat surprisingly early, and some vets prefer to wait until five or six months. Many breeders neuter kittens before they go home, so check your contract.
Why
- For females: no heat cycles (loud, restless, trying to escape, every few weeks), and no risk of uterine infections (pyometra) or uterine and ovarian cancers. Spaying before six months also cuts the risk of mammary cancer by roughly 90%, which matters because mammary tumors in cats are usually malignant.
- For males: far less spraying and roaming, calmer behavior, no testicular cancer, and fewer fights.
- For everyone: no surprise litters.
The British Shorthair catch: weight gain
After neutering, a cat's energy needs drop while its appetite often goes up. In a breed that already loves its food, that's how a lot of chunky British Shorthairs are made. Plan to cut food by roughly a quarter afterwards, keep up the play sessions, and weigh your cat monthly for the first year (see Feeding & Portions).
Recovery
Expect a sleepy day or two. Keep them indoors and calm, stop them licking the wound (a cone or recovery suit helps), and check the incision daily for swelling or discharge. Some vets suggest paper-based litter for a few days after a spay.
And yes: neutered males often keep a bit of their jowls, just not the full mayor-of-the-town look.