Independent veterinary care
Helping you plan your cat's care
Ironstone provides cat castration and spaying. Your vet can discuss your cat's age, health, lifestyle and the appropriate timing of surgery, as well as pain relief, monitoring and recovery at home.
Care and treatment decisions are always based on an individual assessment. Contact the clinic to discuss your pet and confirm appointment availability.
Castration and spaying for cats
We neuter both male and female cats at the practice. Castration of a male cat is the removal of the testicles; spaying a female cat is the removal of the ovaries and uterus. Both are routine operations carried out under general anaesthetic, and cat neutering is generally considered a low-risk procedure.
Neutering prevents unwanted litters, which matters because cats can become pregnant from a young age. It also brings health and behaviour benefits: spaying stops the heat cycle and prevents pyometra, a serious womb infection, and reduces the risk of some cancers, while castration removes the risk of testicular cancer and usually reduces roaming, fighting and spraying.
When to neuter your kitten
Female kittens can become pregnant from around four months old, so we generally recommend neutering at around four months of age. Male kittens are usually neutered between four and six months. Your vet will confirm the right timing at your kitten's vaccination appointment, taking account of their health and size.
Adult cats can be neutered at almost any age. If your cat is pregnant, has recently had kittens or is unwell, your vet may advise waiting until she has recovered, and in some older cats the risks of anaesthetic may need careful discussion first.
On the day
We will tell you when to remove food the night before. Bring your cat in a secure carrier on the morning of surgery and the team will check them in, go through the consent form and answer any questions. Your cat will have a general anaesthetic, pain relief and monitoring, and we will phone you once they are awake to arrange collection.
When you collect your cat, we will explain how the operation went, go through the aftercare and arrange a post-operative check.
Aftercare at home
Keep your cat indoors while they recover, with a warm, quiet place to rest, fresh water and a litter tray. Offer a small meal on the first evening. Check the wound daily and stop your cat licking at it; your vet may provide a collar or body suit.
Call us if the wound looks swollen, red or is weeping, if your cat is not eating the next day, or if they seem unwell. Many owners plan neutering alongside microchipping, which is now a legal requirement for cats in England.
Helping your cat settle back in
Cats often hide discomfort, so watch for quieter signs in the first few days: hiding more than usual, not grooming, not using the litter tray or not wanting to be touched. Most cats bounce back quickly, but if you notice any of these, or anything else that worries you, please ring us. If you have other pets, it can help to keep the recovering cat in a separate, quiet room for the first night, as they may smell of the practice and other animals can react to that. Shredded paper or a paper-based litter in the tray for a few days can help keep the wound clean, if your vet recommends it.
Common questions
How much does it cost to neuter a cat?
The fee depends on whether your cat is male or female. Current fees are shown in the costs section below and on our vet prices page.
Will my cat need to stay indoors after neutering?
Yes, while the wound heals. We will tell you how long at your post-operative check.
Can my cat be spayed if she is in season?
Your vet will advise. It is often better to wait, but we can talk through the options.
Do you neuter dogs too?
Yes. See dog neutering.
Costs and estimates
Cat Neutering: From £90.00
Cat castration £90 and cat spaying £130.
Cat castration: £90.00
- General anaesthesia — included
- Local anaesthesia — included
- Sedation — included
- Post-operative pain relief — included
- Hospitalisation and monitoring — included
- Post-operative check-ups — included
- Pre-operative blood tests — not included, charged separately
Cat spaying: £130.00
- General anaesthesia — included
- Local anaesthesia — included
- Sedation — included
- Post-operative pain relief — included
- Hospitalisation and monitoring — included
- Post-operative check-ups — included
- Pre-operative blood tests — not included, charged separately
Individual estimates can vary depending on your pet and the care required. Please confirm your estimate with the practice before treatment.