Every year, thousands of unwanted kittens are born across Spain. Many end up living on the streets. Others end up in already overcrowded shelters and rescue organisations or struggle to survive without proper care.
Sterilising your cat is one of the most important things you can do for their health and wellbeing. It prevents unwanted litters and helps stop more cats from ending up in shelters or living on the streets.
Sterilisation is also an important part of responsible pet ownership in Spain. Under Spain’s Animal Welfare Law, cats that are not registered for breeding must generally be sterilised before six months of age, unless a veterinarian advises delaying the procedure for medical reasons.
What Does Sterilisation Mean?
Sterilisation is a routine operation that prevents cats from having kittens.
For female cats (spaying), the ovaries and usually the uterus are removed.
For male cats (neutering), the testicles are removed.
The procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic and most cats recover quickly, often returning to their normal routine within a few days.
A Better Life for Your Cat
Sterilised cats often live calmer and safer lives.
They are less likely to:
- Wander long distances.
- Become involved in fights.
- Suffer injuries from traffic accidents while roaming.
- Experience the stress that comes with mating behaviour.
Sterilisation does not change your cat’s personality. They remain the same loving companion, simply without the strong instinct to reproduce.
Health Benefits for Female Cats
Sterilising a female cat provides several important health benefits.
These include:
- Eliminating the risk of uterine infections (pyometra), which can be life-threatening.
- Preventing ovarian diseases.
- Greatly reducing the risk of mammary (breast) cancer, especially when sterilised before the first heat cycle.
- Preventing problems during pregnancy and birth.
- Reducing stress caused by repeated heat cycles.
Many owners are surprised to learn that a female cat can become pregnant from as young as four to six months of age.
In other words, a kitten can have kittens of her own before she is even fully grown.
Health Benefits for Male Cats
Neutering also provides important health and welfare benefits for male cats.
These include:
- Eliminating the risk of testicular cancer.
- Reducing the risk of injuries caused by fighting.
- Reducing the risk of catching diseases spread through cat fights, such as FIV.
- Reducing roaming behaviour, helping keep cats closer to home.
Neutered males are often calmer and less likely to disappear for days while searching for females in heat.
Sterilisation Can Help Prevent Spraying
One concern many cat owners have is urine spraying, especially in unneutered male cats. Spraying is a normal way for cats to mark their territory, but it can quickly become a problem inside the home.
Sterilising your cat before spraying becomes a habit greatly reduces the chance that it will start. If a cat is already spraying, sterilisation often reduces the behaviour and, in many cases, it stops altogether. The earlier a cat is sterilised, the better the chances of preventing the behaviour in the first place.
Although spraying is most common in male cats, female cats can also spray, particularly when they are in season or feeling stressed.
If your cat continues spraying after being sterilised, it may be caused by stress, illness, or another underlying issue. Your veterinarian can help identify the cause and recommend the best approach.
Preventing More Unwanted Kittens
One unsterilised female cat and her kittens can lead to hundreds, or even thousands, of cats over several years.
Sadly, many rescues are already full of cats and kittens looking for homes.
Every cat owner who chooses to sterilise their pet helps prevent future suffering.
This is one of the reasons why TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programmes are so important for community cats. TNR helps reduce the number of street cats over time while improving the lives of the cats already living in those colonies.
Myth: “A Female Cat Should Have One Litter First”
This is one of the most common misconceptions about cat ownership.
There is no medical or behavioural benefit to allowing a female cat to have a litter before being sterilised.
In fact, vets now know the opposite is true. Sterilising before the first heat cycle offers the best protection against mammary cancer. It also avoids the risks that come with pregnancy and birth.
Your cat does not feel a need to become a mother, nor will she miss out on anything by never having kittens.
Myth: “My Cat Never Goes Outside, So Sterilisation Isn’t Necessary”
Even indoor cats can escape through an open door or window. Some get out during a move to a new home.
Many unexpected litters begin with a cat that was only meant to be outside for a few minutes.
In addition, sterilisation provides important health benefits whether a cat lives indoors or outdoors.
What Does Spanish Law Say?
Spain introduced new animal welfare legislation in 2023 to improve the protection of companion animals and help reduce abandonment.
One of the goals of the law is to prevent uncontrolled breeding. Cats that have access to the outdoors are generally required to be sterilised unless they belong to a registered breeder. The law recognises that unwanted litters are one of the main reasons so many cats end up abandoned or living on the streets.
In simple terms, cat owners are expected to prevent unwanted litters.
When Should a Cat Be Sterilised?
Most veterinarians recommend sterilisation from around four to six months of age. However, the right timing can vary from cat to cat.
At Catland, we routinely sterilise kittens from around five months of age, provided they are healthy and big enough for the procedure.
If you are unsure about the right timing for your cat, speak with your veterinarian. Catland works closely with the team at Clínica Veterinaria Asís. They can advise on the best option for your cat.
Catland’s Approach to Sterilisation
At Catland Jávea, we believe sterilisation is one of the most important tools we have to prevent suffering and reduce the number of cats living on the streets.
All cats in our care are sterilised before adoption. Kittens under 6 months are only released for adoption with written a consent from the new owner to sterilise as soon as possible.
This helps prevent unwanted litters and allows adopted cats to enjoy the health benefits of sterilisation.
Many of the cats we rescue were once somebody’s kittens. By sterilising our cats before adoption, we help prevent more unwanted kittens from ending up on the streets.
Final Thoughts
Sterilising your cat is one of the kindest and most responsible decisions you can make as an owner.
It improves your cat’s health and prevents unwanted litters. It also reduces pressure on animal rescues and helps tackle the growing street cat population.
For pet cats, sterilisation means a healthier and safer life. For street cats, it is an important part of the solution. Sterilisation is one of the best ways to stop more cats from ending up abandoned or living on the streets.
A simple procedure today can prevent years of suffering tomorrow.
