when to neuter?

Question

My daughter came to live back home recently and brought her 5 month old kitten along too. We have two middle aged cats of our own (neutered male and speyed female), and although neither of them were too keen on the newcomer, they are much more tolerant of him now. I am concerned that his behaviour towards the older two is still quite aggressive, and that he will only really change his attitude when he is neutered. He 'calls' to other cats when he gets bored or when the older two ignore him. Is it time to have his jewellery removed! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Yes, I would have him neutered as soon as possible. The younger they are, the faster they heal and if he's neutered before he starts spraying, it's way less likely he ever will.

Answer 2

My mom has five cats and two years ago she brought a 6 months kitten to the group (all other cats are either middle age or seniors). This cat doesn't get along with anyone, even after getting neuter. He likes to play and "push the other cat's buttons" until they snap and go after him. Kittens get bored easily and need more attention than middle age cats.
I would recommend you to use Feliway Pheromone, which I heard it does miracles:
Feliway is the Natural Solution to Control Cat Urine Marking, Scratching and Stress.
Feliway is an synthetic analogue of the feline facial pheromone which reproduces the familiarization properties normally produced by a cat when it deposits its own facial pheromones in the environment.
Ideal for use with behavioral problems such as:
Urine marking
Vertical scratching
Loss of appetite
Avoidance of Social Contact
Aids in calming cats:
During travel
Useful in acclimating cats to new environments
During hospitalization
When moving to a new home
When introducing a new cat into a multi-cat household
One vial last approximately 4 weeks
Active coverage area is up to 650 square feet
Plug diffuser in an open area, do not place behind furniture
Phermone Spray calms cats in stressful situations:
Transport
Hospitalization
Boarding and waiting rooms
Helps cats adjust to new environments, new pets, and new people

I hope this help! take care! ;-)

Answer 3

I would do it right away. Many older vets want you to wait till six months and I think you might convince one to do it at 5 (probably 5 and 1/2 by the time you make the appointment, etc). Clinics and shelter throughout the US routinely do it at two pounds or two months and have been doing so for ten years at least.

By the way, the "jewelry" is not removed. A small incision if made in the testicles and the hormone and sperm producing mechanism is pulled out. The testicles remain, they will just not get as large as they do in an intact male.

Answer 4

It's time to have him neutered, now. When neutered he will not have the desire to fight other male cats because his hormones are no longer being secreted. And, because he is still a "kitten" he will tend to do what kittens do and that means play and sometimes play hard. But, that is just normal and he will quiet down after he reaches one year or more.

Answer 5

Yes, five months of age is more than old enough to have a kitten neutered.
I work with rescueing stray and feral cats and the Vet who helps us has neutered kittens as young as two months and long as they are healthy.

The earlier you have him neuterd the less chance you take that he will start spraying to mark his territory.

Answer 6

6 months old or younger is a good time to do it. Most vets would recommend that kind of age. He should be fine to do it now. He'll recover very quickly and it will make a big difference to his social behaviour with other cats.

Answer 7

I would tend to agre with most of these answers, yes its the time to "get him done". As others have said the earlier the better!!

As for the other 2 not being happy with new member of the family, this will, of course, settle in time, it will be very strange for the older 2 to suddenly have their quite, relaxed lifestyles turned upside down by a fiesty little boy!!

Hope this helps and good luck

Answer 8

Usually around 6 months you have them neutered. But recently when I took my kitten in for his shots and discuss getting him neutered the vet suggested try to wait until he is around 7-8 months, that way his urethra is more developed and he will have less problems when he is older.Some cats have crystals in there urine and if they can't pass them they will get a blockage and Iboth me and my mother loss male cats to this.Now I'm very careful and feed low ash cat food. Hope this helps and give you something to ask your vet about and see what he prefers.

Answer 9

Usually with dogs I know they wait til 9 months. I am sure that cats can be neutered younger than that. Call your local vet to inquire about the age.

Answer 10

The recommended age for male kittens to be dressed is after 6 months, when everything is fully developed. He probably just wants to play with the other cats, get him some catnip and sprinkle it on his toys.