Is it mandatory to spay/neuter dogs and cats?

According to article 26 of the law, cats must be spayed/neutered before they reach six months of age. Only animals that are registered for breeding with a breeder listed in the Pet Breeders’ Register are exempt.

Bear in mind that with SegurCaixa Adeslas pet insurance, as well as enjoying the peace of mind that your cat or dog is covered for health problems, you have access to a veterinary team which will make it very easy to ensure your pet’s wellbeing.

These are the potential scenarios when it comes to cats:

1. If you already have a cat: chapter 2 of the law requires that all cats are spayed/neutered to prevent uncontrolled reproduction and the consequences of this, as well as microchip identification. 

2. Adoption: if you adopt a cat, the law requires you to spay/neuter it before adopting it or within a set timeframe after the adoption if it has not yet reached the minimum age at that particular time. 

3. Purchase: cats that have been bought from shops or breeders must also be spayed/neutered. 

The reasoning behind the regulation is to reduce the number of stray cats and ensure their wellbeing in a setting that is as controlled as possible. 

It is also important to remember that some Autonomous Communities require sterilisation for dogs and cats that can go outside homes and have contact with other animals of the same species.

For dogs, neutering/spaying is not always mandatory, but it is in these situations:

1. Adoption: just like with cats, it is mandatory to neuter/spay an adopted dog, regardless of how old it is. The procedure must be carried out before the adoption is finalised. So, public animal protection shelters are required to neuter/spay all animals before handing them over to whoever is going to adopt them, unless the dog is not yet old enough to undergo the procedure. In this case, a sterilisation agreement is signed with the new owner.

2. Medical reasons: when the dog’s health so requires, such as in the case of hormone issues or aggressive behaviour. In these cases, it is the vet’s decision.

In the context of the new Animal Welfare Law, the sterilisation commitment is a formal agreement that pet owners sign when adopting an animal that is not yet old enough to be sterilised. This commitment ensures the owner undertakes to neuter/spay the animal once they are old enough to undergo the surgery. 

Let’s not forget that the purpose of neutering/spaying is to prevent abandonment and ensure that dogs live in a safe environment. In short, it is not mandatory to neuter/spay dogs, but the law does lay down strict measures to prevent uncontrolled reproduction.

The law sets out fines for those who do not comply with the requirement to neuter/spay cats and dogs in the situations we outlined above. Not neutering/spaying your pet is considered a minor offence. The same would be true if you do not microchip your pet, which is essential for finding the owner in the event of loss and an essential tool in fighting against abandonment.

Sterilising your cat or dog is a very good idea for several reasons. Neutering/spaying is a simple, routine surgical procedure from which pets recover quickly, in a matter of a few days. But it also entails multiple health benefits. With dogs, it avoids problems such as pseudopregnancy, or phantom pregnancy, which can lead to behaviour disorders. With cats, both male and female, neutering/spaying helps prevent health and behaviour problems as well as controlling overpopulation and preventing unwanted litters being born that end up as strays.

There are still many myths surrounding neutering/spaying pets: breeding at least once is good for a dog or cat’s health, sterilisation will have a negative impact on their health and cause them to gain weight, it will change their personality, etc. But none of these claims are backed by scientific evidence. While it is true that the hormonal change in cats predisposes them to gain weight more easily, neutering/spaying them does not necessarily mean that they will become obese. It all depends on how well their diet and physical activity is monitored.

As you can see, neutering/spaying your pet is the best decision for their wellbeing and for your peace of mind. This way, you will be complying with the stipulations set out in the Animal Welfare Law, which has been applicable since the 29th of November 2023 and avoid fines ranging from 500 to 10,000 euros. The clinics included in the SegurCaixa Adeslas veterinary team will perform this procedure safely and deal with any questions you have about your pet’s health.