Hi everyone, my new kitten will be about 10 weeks when I get her. I'm wondering how old a kitten needs to be before a spay or neuter (I may adopt her newborn brother as well). I have seen different ages on veterinary sites ranging from 8 weeks to 6 months. When would you recommend? Thank you!
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BEST AGE FOR KITTEN SPAY/NEUTER?
- Thread starter scoochmom
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Hi, it seems that most depends on where you live and the school of thought of the vets in your area.
In my country (Italy), for instance, vets are unlikely to spay/neuter cats below 6 months of age. But I know that other countries have different guidelines. In my opinion, 8 weeks is way too early.
In my country (Italy), for instance, vets are unlikely to spay/neuter cats below 6 months of age. But I know that other countries have different guidelines. In my opinion, 8 weeks is way too early.
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8 weeks or 2 lbs is often when shelters will do it because people like adopting little kittens and they have to be S/N before they're adopted. Some say 6 months but beware - cats can easily become sexually active before that age. If you're adopting a sibling, esp male, you dont want him to start getting the urge and develop some of those behaviors. I think I waited for one of my cats until 3-4 months. No difference between him or my cats who were done at 8 wks. When they're little, they practically recover in 1 day. The important thing is to get it done.
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I've seen females come into heat as early as 4 months. My preference is early for kittens. They're resilient and bounce back so quickly at that age, and it's done and out of the way.
The last boy I had done was booked in at 2.5 lbs. Done a week or so later.I had my others done at 4 months and 8 months. The 8 months cat I put off because he was ill needed to recover properly. All did well after . But call around the vet's see what they say. I'd say sooner the better they'll grow so fast better to get it done before any bad habits start.
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The vets where I am won’t do it before six months unless they’re in shelters / rescue. Those ones seem to be about four months.
I’ve been told males should wait until six months because it’s better for their longterm urinary function and the development of their ureter. I believe they said loss of the
hormones will stop its growth but I’ll have to look that up to be more precise.
My females are always six months.
Last year I had a male and female kitten at the same time starting at two months and I had to wait four months to get them fixed. I had to keep them separated all the time because the boy was jumping her from day one. It was a shame they didn’t get to play together very much prior to being fixed.
If you get two please make sure you have a quiet space they can take turns in, if they get to an age where some funny business might take place.
Your white kitty is so cute! I can’t wait and I hope you consider her brother too!
I’ve been told males should wait until six months because it’s better for their longterm urinary function and the development of their ureter. I believe they said loss of the
hormones will stop its growth but I’ll have to look that up to be more precise.
My females are always six months.
Last year I had a male and female kitten at the same time starting at two months and I had to wait four months to get them fixed. I had to keep them separated all the time because the boy was jumping her from day one. It was a shame they didn’t get to play together very much prior to being fixed.
If you get two please make sure you have a quiet space they can take turns in, if they get to an age where some funny business might take place.
Your white kitty is so cute! I can’t wait and I hope you consider her brother too!
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TCS has a specific article that may have some helpful information for you about what age to spay or neuter your kitten/cat:
When To Spay Or Neuter A Cat?—Your Questions Answered - TheCatSite
Congrats and please don't forget to post pics!
When To Spay Or Neuter A Cat?—Your Questions Answered - TheCatSite
Congrats and please don't forget to post pics!
The best time really come down to lifestyle, your cat (breed, health, how it's developing, etc), and when your vet is willing to spay/neuter. Not all vets agree since there are risks and benefits for doing it when very young and for waiting until a bit older, but they all tend to agree the "best time" is by 6 months. The vets where I live refuse to spay or neuter before 6 months (even local shelters have to wait until 6 months), saying they need the hormones for proper growth and development. Many vets in the US however feel the benefits, especially not being able to reproduce, outweigh the possible risk health issues from removing hormones too early, so I would talk with your vet and see what is right for your personal cat. The majority of cats may have no issues from being fixed very young, but hormones are for more then just for reproduction, so I wouldn't say early spay/neuter is right for all.
