National Pet Month focuses its educational work around 10 Top Tips for responsible pet ownership. Tip 7 is about preventing unwanted litters.  Here one of our charity supporters, Cat's Protection, talks about the importance of neutering.  

Cats Protection busts common neutering myths

Neutering can be a confusing topic for cat owners but it is a very important thing to consider for your beloved moggy.

Cats Protection champions neutering as the only effective way to keep the UK’s cat population under control, but many owners can be put off from getting their cat ‘done’ because of some very common myths.

For World Spay Day (27 February), the UK’s leading feline welfare charity has busted some of the typical misconceptions people have about this safe and simple procedure…

Myth: My cat needs to have one litter first

There is no benefit for a cat to have ‘just one litter’ before being neutered. In fact, they will be much healthier and happier if they have the operation before they reach sexual maturity as breeding can be draining and sometimes harmful for female cats.

Myth: I need to wait until they’re six months old

Traditionally, cats were neutered from six months of age, but current scientific data indicates that there are no disadvantages in neutering at a younger age. As kittens can reach sexual maturity and breed from four months, Cats Protection recommends that kittens are neutered at this age or even younger.

Discover the facts behind more neutering myths on Cats Protection’s blog.