When a female cat is spayed, she is unable to go into heat or to have kittens. Spaying is important, because it helps prevent pet overpopulation and has health benefits for the cat. If you take in a stray cat or get one from someone who doesn't know its history, you may not know if it has been spayed. You may not even know its gender. You'll have to check for signs of surgery, or wait to see if the cat shows sexual behavior.
Instructions
Check the cat's sex to make sure it is a female. Only female cats can be spayed, because it involves surgical removal of the female reproductive organs. You can tell if a cat is female by checking under its tail. If it is a male, you will be able to see the testicles. If they are absent, it is a female.
Hold the cat in a position that allows you to see her belly. The easiest way is to sit down on a chair and lie the cat on her back in your lap. If she stiffens up or seems nervous, calm her down by massaging the back of her neck.
Search the cat's belly visually by parting the fur in the lower abdominal area and look for a surgical scar. The scar is normally about an inch long and located under the cat's sternum. It will look like a thin line.
If you don't find a scar, carefully feel around on the cat's belly to see if you can find a small but solid lump. Often a lump develops under the scar. If you locate it, part the fur around it and look for the scar.
Watch the cat for signs that she is going into heat. These include yowling, rubbing against you, rubbing various objects and getting into the proper position for breeding, with her tail in the air. If your cat has a heat period, it's a sure sign that she is not spayed.
Take your cat to a veterinarian for an examination. If she doesn't go into heat, but you cannot find any physical signs of spaying, a veterinarian can perform an examination. He will be able to determine with certainty whether or not the cat has been spayed.