Preventing a cat from getting pregnant is most commonly accomplished through spaying and neutering. But there might be times when a cat owner doesn’t want such a permanent solution and would rather investigate other options. It’s even better if it can be accomplished naturally.
There are various alternatives to spaying and neutering, although only one is truly a “natural” method.
If you’re interested in learning more, here, we discuss the different options for preventing cats from getting pregnant.
The 4 Natural Ways to Stop Cats From Getting Pregnant
While spaying is the best and most reliable option, it is also permanent. There are times when some cat owners don’t want to opt for surgery, usually because they plan on breeding their cat at some point in the future. If this is the case, these methods of birth control may be effective until they are ready for breeding.
The following are some options available that can stop your cat from getting pregnant.
1. Quarantine
This is technically the most natural and easiest way to prevent pregnancy in your cat if you don’t want to spay them. But while it may seem easy, it’s also somewhat complicated. Quarantining is simply that-keeping your cat away from males every time she goes into heat.
Heat is another word for estrus, which is when a female becomes receptive to a male and is capable of becoming pregnant. It lasts an average of 7 days. You need to learn the signs of when your cat is going into heat so that you can keep her inside and away from intact (unneutered) male cats.
- Rubbing on furniture or people
- Seeking attention
- Rolling on the floor
- Raising hind end when you touch her back
- Increased vocalization
- Increased urination
- Spraying urine on vertical surfaces
If she isn’t bred, she will typically go out of heat for a week or so and then do it all over again. Cats are considered seasonal breeders, so a female can go into heat multiple times during a span from early spring to late fall in the northern hemisphere. This means you’ll have to keep a close eye on your kitty for many months in order to determine when she’s going into heat and to keep her from trying desperately to get out of confinement to find a male while in heat.
2. Hormone Injections or Pills
Female cats can be given hormones by injection or pills as a form of birth control. The most common hormone is medroxyprogesterone acetate. It is only available via a prescription from a vet.
Female cats only need the pill once weekly or an injection about every 6 months. However, there can be serious side effects. These include increased thirst and appetite, hair loss, lethargy, personality changes, and infection of the uterus.
3. Hormone Chip
The hormone chip can be used for both male and female cats and is commonly called chemical castration. The GnRH implant reduces reproductive hormones for up to 24 months.
It is not legal for use in the United States.
4. Melatonin Chip
The melatonin chip is another uncommon option that can help prevent estrus for 2-4 months. You must take your cat to a vet to have it placed.
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Why Birth Control for Cats Is Necessary
Unwanted or unplanned litters contribute to the homeless cat population.
It’s estimated that there are 30 to 40 million community cats (homeless cats that live in large cat communities) in the United States alone.
- Cats can become pregnant by 5 months of age.
- One cat can have 2-3 litters per year.
- Roughly 530,000 cats are euthanized every year in the U.S.
Without some form of control, the numbers of homeless cats or cats euthanized per year can increase exponentially within a short period of time. This is why neutering and spaying have long been the traditional methods for feline birth control because they effectively stop reproduction on a permanent basis.
Spaying a female cat is accomplished by removing the cat’s uterus and ovaries, which stops the cat from going into heat, helps prevent uterine infections, and lowers the chances of the cat developing mammary gland cancer. Neutering the male entails the removal of the cat’s testicles, which not only makes them infertile, it can also help decrease aggressive behavior and spraying.
If your cat is an outdoor cat, it may be essential that you have them spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted pregnancies as the other methods of birth control can be hard to manage.
Conclusion
Unless you plan on breeding your cat, it’s best to spay/neuter them. Most of the options listed here are designed as short-term solutions and can be difficult to stick with in the long term. For example, keeping your female in quarantine every time she goes into heat will likely become frustrating for you. Her behavior can be annoying at best, and you might also feel bad when watching her go through each heat cycle in confinement.
Speak to a veterinarian about your options so that you can do what’s best for you and your cat.
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
The 4 Natural Ways to Stop Cats From Getting Pregnant
8 Responses
Is there an established referral agency for "comfort" cats in forever homes in convalescent care facilities? or homes with mentally challenged adults? I'm training some male neighborhood kittens/cats for this purpose. They haven't been immunized, had shots, or been neutered yet.
Rita, your best course of action depends on your specific location. We suggest checking with local animal shelters and humane societies; they are excellent resources for guidance and often provide low-cost services such as vaccinations and spay/neutering.
Just like Sandy said in June 2025, I have a stray outside cat who has had many litters. Only two have survived, and the first one, I brought into my home with my two older cats, so now I have five. However, the mama cat had another litter of four kittens that are now six months old, and I think she's pregnant again! I've been trying to find one of those mobile vets that go looking for strays, so that ALL the kittens and the mama cat could be spayed and neutered. I paid for the first 3, and that cost me around $850 total. The only reason I was able to pay for those kittens was that I had a job back then. Then that place closed down, and I haven't had another job since then. I can't afford to take these five to my vet. I really need help with this because I want to be able to bring the babies in during bad weather; I just don't want spraying in my house or the "boys" to get their "sister" pregnant.
Hi Cheryl H. We understand the tremendous stress and financial burden you are under right now. Caring for a mama cat and multiple litters, especially since you lost your job, shows incredible compassion. You are right that urgent action is needed to stop the breeding cycle and prevent further litters.
Since you are seeking affordable spay/neuter services for the stray and her kittens, we recommend looking into low-cost spay/neuter clinics or TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) organizations in your area. These organizations often offer services at a significantly reduced cost, and sometimes even free, compared to a full-service veterinary clinic, and they are specifically designed to help community cat caregivers like you.
Because you are asking for financial help to afford spaying and need to find low-cost services, the following resources may be helpful:
Organizations and Charities That Will Help Pay Vet Bills: https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/organizations-charities-that-will-help-pay-vet-bills/
Somebody to Lean On: Financial Resources for Cat Owners: https://www.catster.com/felines-weekly/somebody-to-lean-on-financial-resources-for-cat-owners/
We hope this information helps you secure the necessary spay/neuter surgeries for the mama cat and her kittens as soon as possible.
We are elderly and cannot afford the price they want to spay a cat or dog. Over $200. A female cat showed up at our house.she wasn’t spayed. She got pregnant by a male cat that just showed up and now we have four kittens that we can’t find homes for. We have two inside cats that we had spayed and neutered but at that time it only cost $90 because they are older cats and that’s what it cost back then. We have three dogs that have been neutered. I don’t want to bring them to animal control because they will be euthanized probably. What are responsible pet owners supposed to do?
Hi Sandr, the general cost of everything has skyrocketed. It is sad, but in this case, yes, getting animal control involved, they don't always kill them. if you can prove you have a home for them, they may be able to support you with low-cost neutering.
My problem is none of the vet hospitals around have any appointments for months. Vet care, like human care is now
all about them making money and not helping animals.
Hi Hank, thanks for reading us, sorry to hear there is a shortage of veterinarians in your area. This is a big issue in many places it is not an easy career. You might want to look at Dr Karyn’s Cynical View on What’s Happening to the Veterinary Profession? – https://www.catster.com/felines-weekly/what-is-happening-to-the-veterinary-profession/, which discusses one of the many challenges currently faced by vets.