Why would I be told to wait until 8 months to neuter?

Question

Hi, I've been posting a couple of questions about my new kitty and here's another one. He's a rescue cat from Romania and came to France (where I live) through a charity. He's 5 months old, and they told me I have to wait until he's 8 months old before I neuter him. He's not spraying so that's not a problem, but I was just wondering why they'd have told me that, I got my last cat done at 6 months.

Answer 1

neutering stunts growth. Theres a big difference in size in a 6 month kitten to 8 month. Depends how big you want him to grow. I did mine at 6 months 2 weeks. He's fine. He doesn't have small cat complex! lol.

Answer 2

That's what I'm wondering too. The only reason a vet wouldn't be able to neuter your kitty at 6 months would be if he has a health problem- or perhaps is under-weight.

Now, it could be that there are different standards in Romania, or France. But in the United States, such operations at 6 months are routine, and usually trouble-free.

Answer 3

Some vets want the cat to be in full adulthood so all the hormones have been in place to regulate system growth and development. In the USA they shoved the recommended neuter/spay time back to 5 months because they felt waiting longer would be no added benefit (they at first figured cancer conditions would be stopped if the cat was neutered later, but that didn't show up in the studies). We do it younger here, they do it later in Europe.

Answer 4

I don't know who "they" is. In the US shelter kittens are spayed and neutered now before they are put up for adoptions. Research has shown that this doesn't harm them long-term. A lot of old-fashioned vets here in the US won't do it before six months. If you can find someone to do it now 5 months is a great compromise on that issue. As soon as the kitten is sexually mature (at six months usually he urine will become VERY pungent and he may spray).

The early spay/neuter in the US has reduced the numbers of homeless animals euthanized for lack of shelter space and homes here. Not enough unfortunately.

When I lived in France in the 60's my landlord would drown the kittens his cat had. That was the method of "birth control" used by most people.

Answer 5

Some vets just have different ages that they prefer to do it at. If you want to get it done sooner just look around for a different vet who is willing to do it at 6 months. The only reason not to neuter an animal promptly is if he has a health condition that he's still being treated for.

Answer 6

The younger an animal is the riskier surgery can be for them. The younger the animal the less mature their organs would be as well..and thus harder to manipulate and remove. The traditional age to be spayed/neutered is 6 months and some places even younger.

Answer 7

If the cat is otherwise healthy this seems irresponsible. I would find another vet. Until he is neutered you risk him straying off, fighting and getting females pregnant. In a few weeks you will notice a change in your kitten as his male side starts to show.

Answer 8

Perhaps your cat is too small at the moment and surgery may be risky until he is a little older and bigger. Why not talk to your vet about why he has advised to wait a bit longer, I'm sure he has his reasons and will be able to put your mind at rest

Answer 9

6 months minimum age for neuter. Ask your vet why? Maybe he has a reason and if not see another vet.

Answer 10

I have no idea. You usually have your cat spayed at 6 months and that is when I would do it.