Do Brits not use the term spaying for female cats? Just curious on the terminology over there.

[melesine]

I know we have a lot of Brits here and I've noticed that quite a few posters use the term neutering for females, so I'm just wondering if you guys just use it as a term for both males and females and if maybe the term spay isn't common useage there?

Not trying to be the grammar police, I'm just curious. 

 

[catspaw66]

Neuter is actually the best term for it.  Remember that American English is a deteriorated form of the language, brought on by incorporating terms from every language the immigrants (I'm talking about everyone since the Mayflower) spoke.

Neuter is used in science, language and math to describer something that is neither male or female, positive or negative.

I hope someone will correct me if I am wrong, I am interested in finding out.

 

[jcat]

No, you're correct. "Neutering" means removing part of the male or female sex organs, i.e., castrating the male or spaying the female. Fab cats, a very well-know British website, gives an explanation:

Neutering your cat

Neutering a cat - castration in the male (removal of the testes), and spaying the female (removal of the ovaries and uterus) - not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also curbs unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain diseases.

 

[melesine]

Well I was really just interested in the colloquial use by the Brits, not a debate on correct terminology per se

 

[jcat]

Sorry - that was a question an English teacher who works with both American and British English couldn't resist. :lol3:

It's probably just more "economical" to use "neutering" because it covers both males and females. There are plenty of Americans who use it rather than "spaying" and/or "castrating", so I don't think it's a British thing.

 

[imbri]

My British friends tell me they use "neutering".  As an interesting side note, my Aussie friends all say "de-sexing"; Aussie are weird, man.  Maybe that is why I like them so much.

 

[rosiemac]

I always say spay for a female and neuter for a male

 

[denice]

I think it makes sense to use the term neuter for both.  Ovaries are the female version of testicles so using the same term does make sense.

 

[pushylady]

  As an interesting side note, my Aussie friends all say "de-sexing"; Aussie are weird, man.  Maybe that is why I like them so much.

yeah those Aussies....

I do use both "spay" and "neuter" but find myself becoming inclined to just use "neutering" for both sexes.

 

[-_aj_-]

I always say spay for a female and neuter for a male

Yep Im the same, even my vet did when I phoned up to have both  of mine done.

My friends use neuter, I guess TCS just rubbed off on me haha

I think when ringing the vet it just makes it easier saying one or the other so they dont have to ask if the cat is male or female 

 

[norachelhere]

Hubby and I just had this conversation today. 

Hes from Scotland and we were talking about getting our little rescue fixed and he said neutered, i was like no shes a girl he was like same thing  :/