Early neutering not linked to cat weight gain, study suggests
Researchers have called for more studies into pre-puberty neutering.
A new study has challenged the theory that early neutering is directly linked to cats’ weight issues in later life.
Findings revealed no greater risk of weight problems in cats neutered at four months old compared to cats neutered at six months old.
The research saw the examination of over 2,000 clinical records relating to 584 cats. The data was sourced from the Bristol Cats Study at the University of Bristol, part-funded by Cats Protection, which follows the lifetime health records of cats registered at 8 to 16 weeks old.
The data analysis revealed no connection between the body condition score (BCS) or bodyweight of kittens and the age at which they were neutered; whether it was at six months, five months or four months and under.
Male cats generally weighed more and had a higher BCS than female cats. They also had a more consistent BCS, regardless of the season.
The BCS of female cats, however, was driven by seasonal effects. Female cats displayed lower BCS and lower bodyweights during the summer and the autumn.
Rae Foreman-Worsley, an associate researcher for Cats Protection, said: “By neutering cats from four months old, the veterinary profession can help to significantly reduce the number of unplanned litters and potentially homeless cats.
“At a time when financial constraints and issues with capacity are facing both owners and vets, a move to neutering cats at four months old may be an effective way to manage cat populations.”
The analysis also found that cats’ hair length could be predictive of BCS, but not of their bodyweight.
Researchers believe that this demonstrates the subjectivity of BCS measurements. Long hair can affect perspectives of a cat’s bodyweight, depending on how far vets and owners believe the fur to be responsible for the cat’s size.
They say that this highlights the importance of considering both BCS and bodyweight measurements before making recommendations on nutrition and weight management.
The researchers are now calling for more long term studies to investigate the outcomes of pre-puberty neutering of cats. Neutering is still considered a risk factor for feline obesity, and more research may be needed to understand the links with neutering age.
The full study can be found in the journal Veterinary Record.
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Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
