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.
Language: English
Dr. Michelle Kutzler graduated from Washington State University veterinary college in 1993 and worked in private practice for four years before going to Cornell University to complete a residency in theriogenology and PhD in physiology. She has been on the faculty at Oregon State University for the past 23 years where she has conducted research on the long-term adverse health effects of gonadectomy in dogs as well as alternative surgical and non-surgical methods for sterilizing dogs and cats. Dr. Kutzler has published over 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers, over fifty book chapters, and two books (titled Feline Reproduction and Small Animal Pediatrics). She is on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, the National Animal Interest Alliance, and Epivara. She is the current chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Reproduction Control Committee and the co-chair of the Scientific Committee for the 2026 International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction. Dr. Kutzler is also an American Kennel Club judge for performance and companion events and Breeder of Merit of Dachshunds. Dr. Kutzler has been married to an incredibly supportive spouse for 29 years, has three amazing adult children, and one precocious granddaughter.
