My vet suggested as early as 16 weeks but my cat owner friends and the breeder insisted it should be done when he comes to certain weight around 5 or 6 months old due to the sedation dose. He's 13 weeks old now, and weights 3.5 lb. Which one do you think better time for him? Thanks.
2007-01-26 11:55:41 · 15 answers · asked by Speck Schnuck 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Your friends are right on. 5 to 6 months is what we tell people at our hospital. The reason is because the sedative that we use doesn't have a reversal to it so if the cat isn't at least 5 pounds there is no safe way to sedate them. So a general rule is that by the time they are 5-6 months they should weigh enough.
2007-01-26 12:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by Amy R 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It used to be that you would wait until the cat is about 5-6 months old, but vets (especially in shelters) are spaying animals at a very young age, so that they can be neutered BEFORE being adopted. This change took place because people were adopting and then not getting the pets neutered, so now they do it young just to get it over with. Some vets insist that this is not very healthly and prefer to wait. Check with your vet and see if he/she would suggest doing it now or waiting a few more months.
2007-01-26 12:53:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the vet some will not do them till they are about 6 months old. Personally I would find a vet that would do it ASAP. I rescue cats and my vet will do them as young as 5 weeks old. The younger the better for they heal faster and get over it quick.
I have had many very young kittens done and never have had any problems with it.
Good luck! And it is great to see you being a responsible pet owner.
2007-01-26 14:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by kathyk214 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a great question.
Juvenile spay/neuter is gaining lots of popularity because obviously if pets are fixed early then there is less liklihood of them adding to the massive pet overpopulation problem.
I work in rescue and we spay/neuter all animals that come into our care, and our vets and shelters do it as early as two months. We have never had a problem.
It's very progressive but more vets are doing it in an effort to combat the problem of millions of pets being euthanized every year.
2007-01-26 13:42:15 · answer #4 · answered by Patricia C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5-6 months is still the most common age, but many veterinarians are experienced doing spay & neuter as young as 8-10 weeks. If your vet is comfortable with it and the kitten is healthy, 16 weeks is fine. The best person to ask is the one who is going to be doing the operation.
2007-01-26 12:09:52 · answer #5 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The animal shelter told me Kittens have to be 2 lbs before they can be neutered or spayed. The shelter does then typically at 6-8 weeks old.
2007-01-26 12:02:07 · answer #6 · answered by Karrose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always waited til the cat was 6 months old. I have 3 and they are all fine. My vet said the earliest should be 6 months.
2007-01-26 12:27:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
16-20 weeks. I would ask a vet to be sure. They will answer questions over the phone.
2007-01-26 12:00:33 · answer #8 · answered by angelmwilson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would wait until he is at 5 lbs.If that is 16 weeks then I would do it.We had our cat spayed at around 16 weeks and she was fine.There may be different standards for males and females.I do not know but good luck!!!
2007-01-26 12:03:37 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Bellows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
16 weeks
2007-01-26 13:25:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋