Spaying and Neutering
Where elegance meets ethics
Our Stance
At D’Alvara Persians, we believe that spaying and neutering is one of the most loving and responsible choices you can make for your cat’s long-term health and happiness. When you bring home a kitten from us, we strongly encourage you to plan for their procedure once they’ve reached the proper developmental stage. Fixing your cat not only supports their well-being but also helps preserve the calm, affectionate, and balanced temperament Persians are known for. It’s a vital step in reducing the risk of future health issues and prevents accidental litters that could add to feline overpopulation. We view spaying and neutering not as a limitation, but as a way to ensure your cat thrives both physically and emotionally for years to come
The Challenges of Keeping a Cat Intact
Intact Females
Along with the risk of Pyometra, unspayed females can also develop mammary cancer later in life, especially if they go through multiple heat cycles.
Managing an intact female can also be difficult for many households. During heat, she may become vocal, restless, and excessively affectionate—rolling, crying, and seeking attention for days at a time. This cycle repeats every few weeks throughout the breeding season, creating stress for both cat and owner.
Preventing accidental pregnancies and managing these behaviors requires constant supervision and separation from males, which can be challenging in a multi-cat home.
Intact Males
Leaving a male cat intact can bring several behavioral and practical challenges.
Unneutered males are naturally driven by hormones, leading to strong urges to mark territory with pungent urine spray—sometimes even inside the home.
They may become restless or attempt to escape in search of females, increasing the risk of injury, fights, or exposure to disease.
Some intact males can also display more dominant or aggressive behaviors toward other pets.
Understanding the Pros & Cons
One of the most serious risks of keeping a female cat intact is a life-threatening infection called Pyometra. Pyometra is an infection of the uterus that occurs after repeated heat cycles when bacteria enter and multiply inside the uterus. Because hormones during heat prevent the uterus from fully cleaning itself, bacteria can build up rapidly, creating a toxic infection that fills the uterus with pus. What makes Pyometra especially dangerous is how quickly it progresses—sometimes within just a few days. Many owners don’t realize anything is wrong until their cat is critically ill, and without emergency surgery, it can be fatal within a week. Symptoms can include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, or discharge, but in some cases, signs are nearly invisible until it’s too late. Spaying is the only guaranteed way to prevent this devastating condition.
Spaying and neutering provide an array of long-term benefits that generally outweigh the temporary drawbacks. On the positive side, these procedures reduce or eliminate the risk of reproductive cancers and infections, and they often lead to more stable, gentle temperaments. Fixed cats are less likely to spray, roam, or fight, and they typically become more affectionate and easier to manage indoors. Additionally, choosing to sterilize your cat helps combat pet overpopulation and reduces the number of kittens in shelters waiting for homes.
However, there are a few things to consider. Any surgery involving anesthesia carries a small risk, and mild discomfort or swelling can occur during recovery. Some cats experience changes in metabolism, meaning they may gain weight more easily if not given proper exercise and a balanced diet. A small percentage of cats, especially those fixed very young, may show subtle shifts in coat texture or body structure. Despite these minor risks, spaying and neutering remain safe, common, and beneficial procedures when timed appropriately and done under a veterinarian’s care.
The Perfect Timing
The ideal age to spay or neuter a Persian cat is typically between eight months and one year old. This window allows your kitten to fully mature physically and emotionally before the reproductive hormones are removed. By waiting until this stage, you give your cat time to complete essential bone growth, muscle development, and immune system strengthening—all of which contribute to a healthier, more balanced adult cat.
When the procedure is done too early, studies have shown that cats may experience subtle side effects such as delayed bone plate closure, increased risk of certain orthopedic issues, or changes in body composition and metabolism.
On the other hand, performing the surgery too late—after sexual maturity or multiple heat cycles—can carry its own challenges. Females who have gone through several heats have a higher risk of uterine infections and mammary tumors later in life, and surgery may be more complex due to hormonal tissue changes not including the devestating risk of Pyometra. Males who are neutered after developing strong hormonal habits may continue to spray, roam, or show dominance behaviors even after the procedure. Additionally, spaying or neutering an older or senior cat presents more anesthetic and surgical risks, as older cats can have slower healing times and underlying health conditions that make recovery more difficult.
Choosing to fix your cat between eight and twelve months strikes the perfect balance—it allows for complete growth while minimizing both early- and late-related risks. This timing promotes the best lifelong outcome for your cat’s health, comfort, and temperament.
Lifelong Health & Happiness
At D’Alvara Persians, our mission is to ensure every kitten we raise enjoys a lifetime of comfort, health, and stability. Because of that, we ask that all kittens placed in pet homes be spayed or neutered between eight and twelve months of age, a window that aligns with our philosophy of balance.
The only exception to this guideline is for families who have spoken to us directly and have demonstrated the proper environment, understanding, and commitment to take part in our conservation breeding program. These special homes may be granted breeding rights to help preserve and strengthen our cherished bloodlines, but only under partnership with D’Alvara Persians and our extended conservation community through Dearheart.
In all other cases, we firmly believe that spaying or neutering is the most responsible and compassionate choice. It supports a calmer temperament, prevents unnecessary stress and hormonal behaviors, and ensures your cat’s body and mind remain in perfect harmony throughout life. When performed at the right time and for the right reasons, it becomes not just a medical decision—but an act of love that contributes to your cat’s lifelong happiness and well-being.