Neutering your pet

If you are thinking about having your dog or cat neutered, it’s natural that you’ll have questions. We’ll do our best to put your mind at ease with this simple guide.

Neutering has many benefits for you and your pet beyond preventing unwanted litters. It also makes pets less likely to experience behavioural and health issues, like cancers and serious infections. More than 42,200 pets insured under John Lewis Pet insurance are neutered.

John Lewis Pet Insurance is here to help with injury or illness. Neutering is a routine procedure that isn’t generally covered by pet insurance. However, customers can access expert advice on any aspect of neutering through vetfone™. You may want to discuss the benefits of neutering your pet. During the all-important post-procedural care, you could need reassurance. In both cases and more, our vetfone™ experts are always available to you.

“For the vast majority of pets neutering is the best option from a health point of view. There are always exceptions, and the decision whether to neuter, and the timing and method of neutering is best discussed with your own vet.”

- Martin Stevens, Veterinarian

What is neutering?

It’s important to understand what’s involved in neutering, as well as what the long-term benefits will be for your pet. It’s a simple procedure involving the surgical removal of the reproductive organs that is carried out under general anaesthetic. Castration is used for male dogs and cats, while spaying is the equivalent for females.

It’s important to follow the aftercare advice your vet gives you to ensure your pet’s speedy recovery. There are plenty of health and wellbeing benefits to having your pet neutered, too:

• Your pet won’t be at risk of testicular cancer, and the risk of prostate cancer will be lower.

• It can reduce the likelihood of behaviours like scent-marking and roaming.

• Neutering can lower the risk of birth defects. If siblings mate, the possibility of offspring with birth defects and deformities increases.

• Reduces the risk of theft — neutering can help deter theft for breeding purposes.
  

While neutering will have a positive impact on a dog’s behaviour, it isn’t a cure for all behavioural problems. Consistent, positive training with your pet is also important.

What’s the difference between spay and neuter?

'Neutering' can be applied to both genders, but is most often used when talking about the operation on a male. Spaying is the specific name for the procedure in a female.

• Females are spayed – which means the ovaries and womb are removed.

• Males are castrated or snipped – which means the testicles are removed.

As with snipping, there are benefits to getting your dog or cat spayed. These benefits include:

• Preventing the risk of cancers of the ovaries, uterus and mammary glands in females.

• Avoiding unwanted attention that could lead to pregnancies when females come into season.

• Less mess — unspayed female animals can be messy when they come into season.

• Eliminating the need to keep unneutered pets confined when they are in heat.

When should I neuter my pet?

Your vet will be able to advise on the best time to neuter your pet. Contrary to the popular myth, you don’t need to let your pet have one litter first.

• Dogs - most dogs are neutered between the ages of six months and two years, but exactly when will depend on breed type. Talk to your vet for guidance.

• Cats - the best time to neuter your kitten is around four months. It's after their primary vaccinations but before they start to become sexually mature. But it’s quite safe to neuter older cats, too.

The cost of neutering is far cheaper than that of an unwanted litter. But many organisations provide discounted or free pet neutering, including Blue Cross, the Mayhew Animal Home, the RSPCA and Cats Protection.

Does pet insurance cover neutering?

Often, neutering isn't covered under pet insurance as it’s a preventative procedure. John Lewis Pet Insurance customers can access advice and reassurance through vetfone™.

Is neutering safe?

We understand feeling anxious about putting your pet through a medical procedure. However, neutering is very safe and is carried out under general anaesthetic.

• With spaying, a vet will make an incision in the tummy area and remove the ovaries, and womb.

• With castration, a vet will make a small incision and remove the testicles.
  

Your pet will be cared for by the nurse until they are ready to go home, usually a few hours after surgery. Your vet will provide clear instructions about post-procedural care of your pet. Neutering does not cause unnecessary pain and may prevent diseases in the long term. It won’t change their personality or make female cats and dogs feel ‘empty’ without having a litter. Find out about other common myths about neutering at Blue Cross.

Through vetfone™, John Lewis Pet Insurance customers can talk to a pet practitioner about their concerns. The service is available 24/7, 365 days a year at no extra charge.

This article is for promotional or information purposes only. You must not rely on it as advice. Please contact a financial adviser if you need advice before you buy a financial product or service.