Why cant my cat eat or drink a few hours before it gets neutered?

Answer 1

This is because the cat (or dog) must be put under anaesthetic in order to be neutered or desexed. The anaesthetic agents used can make some animals feel sick and vomit. Should this occur while the animal is asleep, stomach contents may be aspirated onto the lungs (if a tube is poorly fitted in the animal's wind pipe or no tube has been placed at all), or sit in the oesophagus and cause damage which can cause strictures (narrowing) approx 6 weeks later. Having an empty stomach is the best way to prevent these possible outcomes.