Whats the best age to neuter a kitten?

Question

I have 3 kittens, now 6 weeks old. I know theyre due for their first round of shots in another 2 weeks (8 weeks old) and I've heard that some vets are willing to neuter them at that age, too.

They just seem much too young for that kind of surgery! Is it safe? They're going to be put up for adoption at PetSmart (where I work at the adoption agency) after they get neutered, so maybe I'm just not ready to part with them.

Is it fair/humane to have them neutered so young? Their testicles havent even begun to decend yet. How long should I wait, without waiting too long? (for them to be young enough to be adoptable)

Answer 1

Traditionally, spay/neuter has been recommended to be done at 6 months. As more attention is paid to the grave problem of companion animal overpopulation, and as surgical methods have been developed, the practice of "pediatric" spaying and neutering has become commonplace in some regions. It is still a source of controversy, with some being concerned about possible resulting health and behavior abnormalities. Others believe that the risk of those is either nonexistent, or at least acceptable, given the potential consequences if the alteration isn't done before the animal is released to a home or other placement. Hopefully, the links below will help you to decide for yourself.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Whats the best age to neuter a kitten?
I have 3 kittens, now 6 weeks old. I know theyre due for their first round of shots in another 2 weeks (8 weeks old) and I've heard that some vets are willing to neuter them at that age, too.

They just seem much too young for that kind of surgery! Is it safe? They're going to be put up...

Answer 3

Although some vets will neuter and spay kittens at 8 weeks old, in my experience that is too young. My vet recommended between 3-6 months. My kitten is about 4 months and I think he's now ready for the surgery. Males can be younger because it is a much less invasive surgery.

I would talk it over with your Vet and see what he/she recommends. Ask what they would do if it was their own personal pet.

Answer 4

Ask your vet when you take them in for their shots, I waited until mine were four months old, but I have a friend that does it at 12 weeks, that's the age cats are done when they're purebreds. If your vet thinks they are to tiny or not healthy enough he'll let you know. I always had a hard time with neutering but they really are better off and they surprised me by bouncing back so quickly, like a day? You sound like a caring cat mom, good for you.

Answer 5

12 weeks is a good age to have them neutered/spayed. They have to weigh over two pounds and that's about when they hit that point.

We recently had our kitten spayed (at 12 weeks) and it didn't slow her down a bit. She wanted to run and jump and play as soon as we brought her home.

We had to put her in a carrier for a couple of days to force her to rest. (She kept attacking our 18 lb male and wrestling with him and we were worried she would pop her stitches.)

I think it's much more humane to spay/neuter while they are young. The younger they are the more resilient they are.

Answer 6

Cats do EXTREMELY well with pediatric spay and neuter. As long as they are healthy, at least 8 weeks and 2 lbs (i'm pretty sure thats the weight guidelines) they will be fine and they heal wonderfully. Our family vet likes to wait until 6 months which i feel is unneccessary. If they are healthy go for it, but if you are not comfortable with it, wait a little bit. No need to wait 6 months but it doesnt hurt to wait a little either. It's up to you and as long as it is getting done before they mature, then it will be alright.

Personally, if i were in your situation and felt a little uncomfortable about doing it at 8 weeks, i'd wait until 12 weeks. :)

Answer 7

It can be done as early as 8 weeks of age but it's safest to wait until the testicles have completely descended and usually a vet will tell you this once he exams them and finds out. Our vet said 8 weeks if testicles were descended completely or he weighed 5 pounds. He was neutered at 9 weeks.

Answer 8

Group 1 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 weeks of age.
Group 2 (11 kittens) were neutered or spayed at 7 months.
Group 3 (the control group of 9 kittens) were not neutered until maturity and after the completion of the first phase of the study at 12 months.
My kitten is 5 months old and is going outside a lot. I am just wondering when she might start being able to have babies?

A female cat will usually come into heat around six months of age; therefore your kitten could come into heat at any time. If your kitten has access to the outdoors, she may come into heat and get pregnant before you are aware of what has happened. To help prevent unwanted litters of kittens please consider having your kitten spayed as soon as possible. In addition, research has shown that indoor cats live longer and healthier lives, so consider keeping your cat inside.

Answer 9

My vet told me it was safe to neuter/spay once they'd reached 3 lbs (it sounds so tiny, doesn't it?) - they were maybe 12 weeks old when they had it done, and neither of my cats had a problem. They seemed like they were just babies - but I'd rather have them fixed as babies than have reached sexual maturity and started making kittens.

Answer 10

Please, don't neuter males too soon. There are tons of stories on this posting board about the complications that can develop when male kittens are neutered too soon. The female should be spayed at about six months, and the male at about the same age, even a month or two later.

My own daughter got a kitten from a shelter that insisted on neutering young kittens before they were released. I can't tell you the money she spent because of urinary tract problems that resulted from that too early neutering. She even drove 8 hours to a prominent veterinary hospital in an effort to save him with additional surgery. He ended up having to be put down.

They are pushing the boundaries here and it is only within the past few years. Don't let your kittens become a statistic. Please wait a while. Just page through this board and read all the questions about urinary problems and male cats. It is heartbreaking and the animal always loses.