A spayed cat cannot reproduce and does not go into heat. If you are about to adopt a stray cat or adult cat from an animal shelter, you should make sure it has been neutered. Most puppies undergo surgery at three months of age or later, when they reach a minimum weight of 1.5 kg. There are several physical and behavioral signs you can check to make sure your cat has been spayed.
Note: This article only deals with cats. If you have a male cat, read this other article.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Check for Physical Signs on the Animal
Step 1. Look for areas of shaved fur on the cat's abdomen
Have her lie on her back to get a clear view of her belly; if it has been recently spayed, the fur on the lower abdomen should be shorter than the rest because it was shaved before the surgery.
Note that other veterinary procedures also require hair removal, so this method does not offer a guarantee that the cat has been spayed
Step 2. Look for scars
Hold her in your arms so that she remains in a supine position; separate the hair strands of the lower abdomen as best you can. When you can see the skin, check for the scar left by the operation; it is not easy to spot, because surgical instruments usually leave very subtle marks that fade and are not always visible once healed.
Generally, the scar is a thin, straight line that runs along the abdomen lengthwise from the center of the abdomen
Step 3. Look for a tattoo on the ear or near the scar
Once the cat has been spayed, the vet makes a small tattoo as an external sign of the surgery; usually, it is green in color and is represented by a thin line near or above the incision scar. The tattoo should be visible by separating the hair strands of the abdomen, although you have to look for it carefully.
You can also check the inside of the auricle for a tattoo. This area is often used for important information concerning the animal. In the United States, for example, a small "M" is tattooed when the microchip is inserted, while almost all other tattoos mean that the cat has been spayed
Step 4. Look for a severed ear
Some veterinarians and animal welfare associations practice the removal of the ear tip to recognize sterilized or neutered specimens; in this case, the cat should have the tip of one ear (usually the left one) slightly shorter than the other (about 6 mm), just enough to have a "truncated" appearance. The operation is performed while the cat is still under the effect of anesthesia and the wound heals quickly.
Step 5. Take the cat to a vet to confirm that she is spayed
Sometimes, the physical signs may not be evident; in this case, take her to the vet - a professional will almost always be able to confirm whether or not the animal has undergone the operation and, in case he is unable to determine it immediately, can carry out other medical tests to clarify the situation.
Step 6. Ask the breeder or pet store clerk if the cat has been spayed
If you are buying it from a shop or farm, the trader should be able to give you this information; if you have taken a stray or animal shelter, it is more difficult to get this information, so you should take your cat to a vet to be sure.
Method 2 of 2: Recognizing the Heat Signs (Estrus)
Step 1. Notice if she is overly affectionate or rubs against you often
Females who have not been neutered periodically experience a phase of increased sexual activity called "heat", the scientific term of which is "estrus"; this period lasts about three weeks, although visible symptoms last less.
A cat in heat typically behaves in a very affectionate manner, rubbing against people, inanimate objects and rolling on the ground in a moment of playful frenzy
Step 2. Observe if he takes the coupling position or raises the hindquarters
A cat in heat often shows sexual predisposition, assuming this posture or crouching - the back of the body remains raised, the tail is moved to the side or up, while the head is held at ground level; this behavior is particularly frequent in the presence of males.
When she assumes this posture, she probably taps or moves her hind leg and quickly lifts her "feet" as if she wants to walk in place. This gesture is believed to attract males during heat, because the female's genitals sway up and down as she walks
Step 3. Pay attention to any loud howls and meows
When a cat comes into heat it emits loud and deep meows as well as other moans. These vocalizations usually begin as soon as the heat begins and grow in intensity with the passage of time; when they reach their peak, such cries are very frequent and may recall moans of pain or discomfort, although the cat is not really in danger.
Other less common calls can range from less intense and questioning meows to nervous screeching
Step 4. Check if you want to spend more time outdoors
An indoor cat that goes into heat can suddenly behave like an outdoor cat. Females in estrus want to go out often and can hit or scratch their paw on the door, make noise near the door, and even scurry out as soon as they get the chance.
Check your cat carefully every time you enter or leave the house; if she escapes and has not been sterilized, she could become pregnant
Step 5. See if urine marks the area
Females who are not spayed use urine to inform potential mates that they are in heat. Leaving traces of pee is a common gesture of cats who want to mate and can be avoided thanks to sterilization; the animal can get dirty indoors and outdoors, especially in the presence of males.
Step 6. Watch out for vaginal discharge
Unsterilized cats may have clear and watery vaginal secretions or slightly tinged with blood during heat; you can notice them after the cat has been in estrus for some time. Likely, he must assume the mating position and walk in place before releasing these leaks.
