I have a 4 month old male kitten. He is an indoor cat, but I want to get him fixed. When is the right time to do this? I know they start spraying if they are not fixed--around what age do they start spraying?
2006-11-15 08:26:07 · 15 answers · asked by bellegurl17 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Every clinic is different with their recommendations. Many doctors still will not neuter an animal until it reaches 6 months of age. This is unfortunate because many male cats that come into our clinic at this age have already reached maturity. You can tell by the overwhelming smell of their urine. They may or may not have begun to spray, but they sure stink!
A reason many doctors used to wait until 6 months of age is that the drugs used for anesthesia and pain control in the past were not safe for young animals. The medical field has advanced incredibly since that time and the drugs available now are amazingly safe. There is no longer a valid reason to have clients wait until the pet is 6 months old, risking adverse behavior and increasing the chances of reproductive cancers and infections. Many older veterinarians are still stuck in their old ways.
Our clinic will neuter cats anytime after they reach 3 lbs. The sooner the better because they recover faster when they are small. Call around and find a clinic that will neuter your boy now.
2006-11-15 09:08:31 · answer #1 · answered by lvt4cats 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call 1-800-spayUSA or put it online to find a clinic near you. The Winn Feline Health Foundation did a long-term study on the effects of early spay and neutering of cats. There were no adverse effects in doing it early. That's why so many shelters are not releasing kittens until they are two months old and have been fixed.
In your case find a place right now. It could take a while to make an appointment. Thanksgiving is upon us now, Christmas shopping, parties, family gatherings will take up the month of December. Your kitten will be fully developed and maybe spraying by January. I really urge you to do it now.
2006-11-15 08:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have a female cat and the vet said that they heal faster when u fix then earlier. I also have a male cat and we got him fixed when he was about seven months old and he never sprayed. But I think it really depends. I don't think u can really predict when they'll start spraying. But if u ask me the sooner the better.
2006-11-15 08:58:07 · answer #3 · answered by Maddie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him scheduled to be neutered now, most places have age restrictions, some say they have to be 5-6 months of age, around the time that they start spraying. It depends on the vet and what kind of sedative they use.
2006-11-15 10:05:51 · answer #4 · answered by Amy R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had a female cat- and every time she went into heat, it was awful...she also peed in certain places- on our bed even ugh!!! She was 2 when we got her fixed- but we also got her front declawed at the same time because we just had a new baby. now, we don't have to deal with the meowing insanely and peeing everywhere... she's great now! And I'm so glad we got her front declawed as well because she's already batted at my son (who is now 13 months old)... so it would be scary if she had her claws and did that. She doesn't do it often, but oh my he would have gotten cut up! But yea, she's a great cat now!
Goodluck... and do it whenever you are ready. The sooner the better I'd say. They recover faster at a younger age.
2006-11-15 08:48:07 · answer #5 · answered by m930 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get it done right when he hit 6 months. This will be for his own good and also yours. My friend has 3 male cats, from 6 months to 1 year and they are all already spraying and the smell is so overpowering, it takes FOREVER to get the smell out of your house! Hope I was able to help you out!
2006-11-15 08:32:32 · answer #6 · answered by Baby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure when they start spraying. I have 2 male cats and my vet wouldn't neuter them before 6 months. I do know that neither one of mine sprayed before they were altered, which was 6 months...hope this helps
2006-11-15 08:31:17 · answer #7 · answered by anniew213 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
most vets wont let you get your cat fixed till they are 6 months old. After that they are more proned to start spraying, but even if he's fixed, there are chances he might spray. Might male cat does, but I waited too long to get him fixed.
2006-11-15 08:42:38 · answer #8 · answered by blueicefaire 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally, most cats are spayed or neutered between the ages of 4 and 6 months old depending on your vet. Discuss it with them and see what they recommend. Good Luck.
2006-11-15 09:30:30 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spraying can start anytime.
Neutering him can be done at 6 months.
2006-11-15 08:29:31 · answer #10 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋