2006-10-13 08:24:52 · 16 answers · asked by used to live in Wales 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
If he is a male you should wait as long as possible, ideally until he is 2 and has his full growth, however generally we are forced to do it before then because of spraying.
The reason for this is that while he is still growing his tiny penis has not reached its full size. It will stop growing when you spay him and as it will be smaller on the outside it will also be smaller on the inside and he will be at a much greater risk of suffering from urinary crystals, this can be very nasty and painful for the cat and even life threatening.
With a neutered male cat always be very careful about how much dry food you give him because of this.
On the upside, waiting till he is grown means he will develop that wonderful majestic big tomcat head and be ever so much better looking.
2006-10-13 14:16:47 · answer #1 · answered by TC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a really embarrassing visit to my vet with my kitten! She was still too young to have needed all her jabs. I came home one day and she was dragging her lower half and seemed like she couldn't walk! So, I was really worried that when playing around she had fallen badly and hurt her back! That was the only thing I could think of to explain her posture and her mewling. But when I got to the vets all worried and scared, he just picked up her tail and told me she was in season!
She was barely 2 months old!!!! I got her "sorted" then and there, but I'm still amazed by how young a cat has to be before reproducing!
2006-10-13 15:37:46 · answer #2 · answered by sammi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not age, it's weight, and what your vet is comfortable with.
We spay and neuter at 2 pounds. They do great. Many places wait until 6 months, but it's not necessary. Early spay and neuters have been going on a long time, and it does not seem to harm the kittens.
See what your vet is OK with. For males, the requirement is that the testicles have dropped. This happens pretty young, by two pounds, most are down there :)
2006-10-13 15:30:26 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You mean spay/neuter surgery, right?
The kitten should be at least 4 months old or 4 pounds in weight. Most vets won't even consider the cat for surgery if it's smaller than that.
2006-10-13 15:29:48 · answer #4 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I waited till my tom was 6 months, just to let a little testosterone course round his body for a little while (no particular reason). He has stayed fairly kitten like ever since he got 'the chop' in size and character.
2006-10-13 15:44:47 · answer #5 · answered by theshakyshamrock 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet says not before 4 months of age. He states that some studies show medical problems can occur if it is done sooner than 4 months.
2006-10-13 15:35:49 · answer #6 · answered by Carrie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We just rehomed two kittens and they told us we need to wait until they are six months old before they can be done.
2006-10-14 05:32:11 · answer #7 · answered by JandG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have known male cats to be castrated as young as 12 weeks! However, 5-6 months if fine, check with your vet as each has their own preference.
2006-10-14 06:29:51 · answer #8 · answered by Vet Nurse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5-6 months
2006-10-13 16:08:59 · answer #9 · answered by eat_youup 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Around six months. A kitten who is underweight may have to wait longer, while some are "early bloomers"-- one of mine was neutered at five months because he was already sexually mature.
2006-10-13 15:30:57 · answer #10 · answered by Gallifrey's Gone 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋