Kapon sa Pusa: A Spay and Neuter Guide
According to CARA Welfare Philippines, there are about 12 to 13 million stray cats and dogs in the country, with an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 more born and abandoned each year.
“A single unspayed female cat can produce enough offspring to create a feral colony of up to 30 cats in just a year,” the NGO warns.
To help solve this growing crisis, animal welfare experts agree on one effective solution: kapon. But what exactly is kapon? And how is it different from spaying or neutering?
In this guide, we’ll break down the difference between spay and neuter, explain why kapon is one of the best decisions you can make for your pusa, and answer common questions from Filipino cat owners.
What Is Kapon?
Kapon is simply the Filipino term for sterilizing your pet which means preventing them from reproducing. There are two types, depending on your cat’s sex:
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Spaying is for female cats. The procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus.
- Neutering (also called castration) is for male cats. It involves removing the testicles.
Both are safe, routine surgeries performed by licensed veterinarians, with lifelong benefits for your cat’s health and behavior.
The Benefits of Spay/Neuter
Kapon goes far beyond population control. It’s a proven way to protect your cat’s health, improve their behavior, and prevent future medical issues.
Prevents Unwanted Litters
Scientific studies show that widespread spay/neuter programs dramatically curtail stray populations. For example, a two-year Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiative in Florida reduced shelter cat intake by 66% compared to a control area.
This isn’t just theory; it’s proof that sterilizing community cats (and dogs) prevents the exponential growth of strays.
By committing to kapon, you help stop the breeding cycle at its source, directly reducing the number of homeless cats and easing the burden on shelters and communities.
Protects Against Disease
The procedures also improve your cat’s long-term health. For spayed cats, they are less likely to get uterine infections and breast cancer, while neutered males have a lower risk of testicular cancer and prostate issues.
"Mero'n kasing over time, as the animals grow older, merong mga sakit na puwedeng mag-develop related to, or if they have other conditions, which can be complicated by the presence of the ovaries, 'yung mga reproductive organs," Pet Lovers Centre veterinarian Dr. Lester Lopez told GMA News.
“In particular, we want them to prevent getting diseases like cancer or unwanted infection. Like sa female, mataas 'yung rate natin ng what we call pyometra, which is an infection in the uterus, so that's prevented by spaying."
Reduces Aggression and Spraying
Sex hormones strongly influence your cat’s behavior. By removing the source of these hormones through kapon, you can reduce or even eliminate many unwanted behaviors.
For female cats, spaying stops them from going into heat. This means no more loud yowling, clinginess, or urine marking to attract mates. These unwanted behaviors can happen frequently, especially in warm climates like the Philippines where breeding seasons can last all year.
For male cats, neutering reduces the urge to roam, which lowers their risk of getting lost and/or hit by cars. It also helps minimize spraying (urine marking), mounting, and aggressive behavior linked to hormones.
Dr. Lopez also explained that kapon helps prevent Muning from getting injured in fights with other males: “... we wanna make sure that we minimize aggression if there are many males in one household because that's hormone-induced so when you reduce the source of that hormone, hindi sila masyadong mag-aaway kasi 'yung hormones nila na nagpa-facilitate o nagi-initiate ng aggression towards another, medyo bababa 'yung hormones na 'yun sa katawan.”
Helps You Avoid Emergency Vet Bills and Costly Treatments
Spaying and neutering can save you from expensive and stressful vet visits down the line.
Without the risk of surprise pregnancies, you won’t have to deal with the expenses of caring for a pregnant cat, emergency labor complications, or raising an unexpected litter of kittens. Neutered male cats are also less likely to roam and fight, which means fewer wounds, bite infections, and abscesses that require urgent care.
On top of that, sterilized cats have a lower risk of hormone-related illnesses like mammary tumors, uterine infections, or prostate problems — all of which can lead to expensive treatments if left unchecked.
In short, kapon is not only a responsible health decision but also a sound financial decision.
When Should You Get Your Cat Spayed or Neutered?
Although cats can already undergo spay/neuter at eight weeks old, many vets recommend waiting until your pet is at the age of six months.
“There are global guidelines that can be followed with regards to spaying,” explained DR. Lopez. “Often, it's given between six to eight months and up na age and they should be apparently healthy, which means walang symptoms at the time of presentation.”
How Much Does Kapon Cost?
The cost of spaying or neutering your cat depends on where you have it done:
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Private Vet Clinics
₱1,500–₱3,500. Prices vary based on location, your cat’s size, and whether pre-op tests or post-op care are included.
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Animal Welfare Groups
₱500–₱1,000. NGOs like CARA Welfare Philippines, PAWS, and PPBCC offer low-cost kapon services. Slots may be limited, so it’s best to book early.
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Libreng Kapon Events
₱0. Watch for LGU- or NGO-sponsored spay/neuter drives, often held during pet vaccination weeks or community outreach programs. Follow your local city vet or animal welfare social media pages for announcements.
Regardless of where you get your cat spayed or neutered, the procedure is worth the price. As mentioned, kapon can save you from having to spend on an unexpected litter of kittens, potential medical emergencies, such as infections, pregnancy complications, or injuries from roaming and fighting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapon
“Nakakaawa ba ang pusa kapag kinapon?”
Hindi. While it’s natural for pet owners to feel anxious about surgery, spaying or neutering is a routine, safe procedure that offers long-term health and behavioral benefits. Most cats recover quickly and go on to live longer, calmer, and healthier lives.
“Safe ba magpa-kapon?”
Yes, it's safe. The animals are examined beforehand to ensure they are fit for surgery.
"Hindi naman basta-basta nase-spay ang isang pet. There's physical exam, iche-check muna 'yan ng vet, if they find anything unusual that might be hindi maganda para dun sa pet na mag-undergo siya ng surgery agad,” said Dr. Lopez.
“Tumataba ba ang pusang na-kapon?”
Not necessarily. According to Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, it’s not the procedure per se that will make your cat fat, it’s their nutrition and lifestyle:
“Too much food and lack of exercise make a pet fat. Removing the reproductive organs can result in a decreased metabolism, but if you monitor food intake and provide exercise, your pets will stay fit.”
“Pwede bang i-kapon kahit buntis?”
Kapon becomes more complicated if the animal is pregnant, so it’s best to consult your vet to be well informed about the procedure.
For PPBCC, they charge a Php 500 spay-abort fee, plus they require a prescription antibiotic on top of a long-acting injectable antibiotic.
“Since having them undergo spay-abort is risky enough, we will cancel their appointment if your animal companion is severely pregnant or full term,” said PPBCC.
“Pwede bang i-kapon pag in-heat?”
Yes. It’s safe to spay or neuter a pusa while in-heat.
“Pwede ba ang kapon sa pusang bagong panganak?”
Yes, but vets usually wait a few weeks up to two months after giving birth to allow the mother to recover.
“Di na ba sila marunong manghuli ng daga?”
Cats retain their hunting instincts even after kapon. They just won’t be looking for a mate.
Conclusion: Kapon Is Cat Parenthood Done Right
Getting your cat spayed or neutered is one of the most responsible, loving decisions you can make. It protects your cat’s health, reduces stress and aggression, and helps prevent more cats from suffering on the streets.
If you’re ready to schedule kapon or want to know more about affordable options, check out:
Together, let’s build a better world for cats, one kapon at a time.