Neutering is the most impactful individual welfare decision for most cat owners. Understanding the evidence base for timing and benefits helps owners make informed decisions.
Neutering has profound welfare implications at both individual and population levels. Individual cats benefit through prevention of reproductive diseases including pyometra, dramatically reduced mammary tumor risk when performed before first season, and elimination of the hormonal drives that lead to territorial fighting, roaming injuries, and FIV transmission in males. The welfare of the kittens that are not born is also relevant from a population perspective as unwanted kittens face poor welfare outcomes in rescue or feral settings. The evidence overwhelmingly supports neutering as the most impactful welfare decision for most cat owners.