WSAVA Reproduction Control Guidelines: Surgical and Non-Surgical Methods for Sterilization in Cats

Considering the overall low incidence of health detriments with gonad removal in cats as well as the early occurrence of puberty and high fertility rates in cats, pediatric gonadectomy at the age of 3-4 months is the best recommendation in many situations. Cats should be in a good health and fully vaccinated prior to surgical sterilization. If reversible sterilization is desired by the owner, then deslorelin implants are a safe and effective alternative to surgical sterilization and do not result in the health detriments that accompany gonad removal. Both gonadectomy and deslorelin implants decrease (but may not eliminate) urine marking behavior in male and female cats. In addition, both methods of sterilization are reported to increase the devotedness cats show to their owners as well as decrease their aggressiveness towards other cats in the household.

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