Neutering not only helps prevent unwanted litters – it also brings a host of health benefits.
From lowering the risk of certain cancers to preventing serious infections like pyometra, neutering can be a responsible and protective choice for your pet’s well-being.
This routine procedure can also help with behavioural issues in both dogs and cats, such as spraying and roaming.
At Nova Vets, we recommend neutering for pets not intended for breeding. Whether you choose traditional surgery or our new keyhole (laparoscopic) service, we’ll personalise the approach to suit your pet’s breed, age, and unique lifestyle.
Pet neutering is a routine surgical procedure that prevents animals from reproducing. For female pets, the procedure is called spaying and involves removing the ovaries. In certain situations, such as in a pet who is elderly or who has had lots of litters, the uterus may also be removed. For males, castration involves the removal of the testicles.
Neutering is safely carried out by our experienced Nova veterinary surgeons. Most pets can return home the same day and recover quickly.
Neutering can:
We offer neutering for cats, dogs, and rabbits, with options tailored to your pet’s individual needs. At Nova Vets, we recommend neutering all cats and female rabbits not intended for breeding, as well as female dogs. Neutering male dogs is advised in certain situations, and our team will guide you on what’s best based on your dog’s breed, age, and behaviour. We’ll also help you choose the most appropriate procedure—whether traditional or keyhole (laparoscopic) to suit your pet’s health and lifestyle.
Male Cats (Castration): A quick and simple procedure involving a small incision. Recovery typically takes 7–10 days.
Female Cats (Spaying): Traditional spaying via a small abdominal incision in the left side of the abdominal wall. Recovery is around 10–14 days.
We currently offer traditional spaying for female dogs with plans to offer keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery in the near future.
Castration: A straightforward procedure with one small incision. Recovery usually takes between 10 and 14 days.
Spaying (Traditional): One larger incision in the middle of the abdomen (usually starting around the belly button). Depending on the size of your pet the size of the incision can vary from 2cm to 15cm. Recovery is around 2 weeks.
Spaying (Keyhole – coming soon): Minimally invasive with 2–3 small incisions. Recovery is typically 5–7 days and is ideal for active or working dogs.
The best time to neuter your pet can vary depending on the species, breed, and even size of your pet.
For both females and males, we recommend that cat neutering takes place when your cat is between 4 and 6 months (or, when they reach a weight of 2kg).
Dog neutering can differ between breeds. Usually we would recommend that neutering should take place between 6 and 18 months of age. For larger dogs (40kg or more), we would recommend waiting until 2 years of age to neuter.
Neutering your pet when they are still young is the best way to prevent potential issues that can crop up in later life, as well as giving them the very best chance of a speedy recovery.
At Nova Vets, as a practice, we’re committed to transparency and trust – something that extends to our pricing. We have carefully considered our pricing structure to reflect the high standards of care we provide while remaining fair and accessible for pet owners.
Visit our pricing page for our full price list.
For more details about our pricing or to discuss the individual needs of your pet, our team is on hand to answer any questions you may have.
We understand that seeing your pet undergo any surgical procedure can feel daunting, so below we’ve answered some of our most frequently asked questions, covering the procedure itself through to how to look after your pet post-op.
We’ll always give your pet a thorough pre-op health check and possibly blood tests to ensure your pet is fit enough for surgery. Most pets will need to fast before their surgery – we’ll guide you through this and let you know what we recommend.
On the day, we’ll administer general anaesthetic and pain medication to make sure your pet is comfortable during and after their surgery. We’ll closely monitor your pet throughout, and once they’ve woken up, most pets are well enough to go home the same day. We’ll give you advice on your pet’s recovery and what to expect, as well as guidance on pain medications to make sure your pet is comfortable and calm as they start to heal.
Neutering can lead to some changes due to a natural shift in hormone levels, as it involves removing the reproductive organs. These changes are generally mild and vary depending on your pet’s species, breed, age, and individual personality.
In many cases, behaviours influenced by reproductive hormones, such as marking or roaming, may reduce over time. However, your pet’s core temperament and character will remain the same, and our team is happy to discuss what to expect based on your pet’s unique needs.
Yes – it’s one of the most common surgeries we perform. With our experienced surgical team and modern equipment, your pet is in safe hands. We’ll also explain any minimal risks and help you with post-op care.
Weight gain can be common after neutering, though this can differ depending on species, breed, age, and the lifestyle of your pet. The hormonal changes caused by neutering can slow down their metabolism, which can cause weight gain. At the same time, some pets can experience an increase in appetite or may become less active.
There are a number of steps you can take to manage any weight gain, including adjusting your pet’s food intake, regularly monitoring your pet’s weight and body conditioning, and making sure they’re getting regular exercise. Our team can also help with specific guidance to help you manage your pet’s weight at home.
Recovery is typically 7–14 days. We recommend that you limit your pet’s activity to stop them running and jumping, which could stretch their incisions before they’ve had a chance to properly heal. Some pet owners also find it helpful to use a recovery collar or suit to prevent their pet from being able to bite or lick their surgery site.
Keep a close eye on your pet, especially in the following days and if you have any concerns or you notice redness, swelling, or discharge, give us a call.
If you have any questions that we haven’t covered, get in touch with our team, who can offer advice and guidance on neutering your pet. To book your pet in for neutering at Nova Vets, click below or call us on 01952 446456.
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