Can You Spay a Nursing Cat?

According to the Feral Cat Project, during a study of 2,332 cats, females had an average of 1.4 litters per year with an average of three kittens per litter. In the same study, 75 percent of those kittens disappeared or died within the first six months of life. Spaying is the only way to ensure a cat does not become pregnant.

  1. Identification

    • The medical term for spaying is an ovariohysterectomy. The surgery involves the removal of a cat's ovaries and uterus.

    Time Frame

    • A feline can safely be spayed upon reaching the weight of 2 lbs. Pregnant and nursing cats can also be spayed.

    Effects

    • A veterinarian is able to work around the mammary glands so that a nursing mother cat can continue to feed her kittens.

    Considerations

    • Female cats who are nursing may experience more pain after the procedure because of the sensitivity in the area of the surgical incision caused by the nursing action of her young.

    Misconceptions

    • Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to allow your cat to give birth to a litter before spaying her. Her personality will not be altered in any significant way by spaying her before she has a chance to become pregnant.