Neutering cats

valdali

I don't like the sound of neutering kittens at 8 weeks. It seems that it's safe, but it has to be a negative event (from their perspective) and it's soon after weaning and shortly before they travel to their new home.
Really, that's a lot for them to cope with in the first months of life.
As it's very safe at 5 -6 months, wouldn't it be better to do it then, breeders and welfares could still pay, and make it a condition of keeping the cat, that it's done.

I agree with you but they won’t let anyone adopt a non neutered cat here. They were very active even straight after their major ops and I tried to keep them quiet but they both loved climbing up our flyscreens ( and still do !) They have totally different personalities, funny for twins. One is very social and goes to anyone and one only loves us.

valdali

I don't like the sound of neutering kittens at 8 weeks. It seems that it's safe, but it has to be a negative event (from their perspective) and it's soon after weaning and shortly before they travel to their new home.
Really, that's a lot for them to cope with in the first months of life.
As it's very safe at 5 -6 months, wouldn't it be better to do it then, breeders and welfares could still pay, and make it a condition of keeping the cat, that it's done.

Cats can get pregnant as early as 4 months and the odd one even earlier. 4-6 months is the average age for first heat so leaving it beyond 4 months is risky. That's why our vet told me nearly 50 years ago that I'd dodged a bullet by taking our female cat for neutering at around 10 months old! We didn't know as much back then and she was my first cat in my defence. I agree that 8 weeks seems too early.

Every cat I have ever owned has always been neutered. There are plenty of cats and kittens without my pets adding to their number.

I don't like the sound of neutering kittens at 8 weeks. It seems that it's safe, but it has to be a negative event (from their perspective) and it's soon after weaning and shortly before they travel to their new home.
Really, that's a lot for them to cope with in the first months of life.
As it's very safe at 5 -6 months, wouldn't it be better to do it then, breeders and welfares could still pay, and make it a condition of keeping the cat, that it's done.

Official guidelines on neutering dogs have changed and those on cats are under consideration. The ages for both sexes have been raised so dogs are mature before neutering and this varies with breed. So no more puppies to be neutered, especially not boys, as early neutering has important health implications.
As for cats, let’s hope that in future no more 8 week old kittens will be neutered by welfares or breeders.They need their hormones to grow normally.

When we adopted our 2 kittens they were 8 weeks old from the Cat Protection Society. They were both neutered , both females. I was surprised because I didn’t know they could neuter female cats as young as that but they both came through it ok. They are absolute darlings, now 4 years old.

We dodged a bullet with our first female kitten. Given from a work colleague who allowed her female cat one litter before being sterilised. As her cat had her first birthday just after having the kittens I thought this meant we'd be safe having our female cat sterilised a couple of months before her first birthday, my ignorance was unlimited!. The vet told us we were very lucky to have got away with it and we all sighed with relief This was many, many years ago when there wasn't an internet to consult in my defence.

We’ve recently welcomed two little boys. They’re booked in for neutering at 4 months because it’s best for them, health wise. Our 4 year old female was spayed at 6 month, too. Again, improved her health outcome.

When I was a child in the 1950s all of our cats were neutered. My first job was with a vet and by then most pet cats were spayed or castrated.
In 1973 I moved to south Wales, which was like going back 50 years and I found that there were stray cats everywhere, reproducing unchecked. Tom cats stink and fight, girl cats have kittens constantly. I find it hard to believe this is still going on, 50 years later.
Anybody who smokes or owns a giant TV can afford to have a kitten neutered, there is no excuse.

Cats can be quite fecund, too.
With a dog, you can decide to have one litter & then have her neutered, but with cats (outdoor cats) it is possible for them to get in kit again very soon after having their litter, and then vets may not want to spay them because of the increased risk & the owner may not want this either. So you end up with two litters.
Easiest to get them spayed before they get started.
& Tomcats spray, get abscesses, spread viruses, & get facial scars & cauliflower ears from fighting.

I do remember going on a farm and there being numerous cats and kittens running around. The farmer said he would accept a reasonable amount if someone wanted a kitten and, apart from the cats being used to keep down mice and rats, he did make an income from the kittens.
Otherwise in towns and cities, most cats are neutered for obvious reasons, and it is hard work if you don't neuter a cat and suddenly it produces 5 kittens.

I always have my cats spayed/neutered. Allowing cats to reproduce just adds to the rehoming problem and imo is irresponsible. Male cats need to be neutered too. Apart from stopping them going miles in search of females it also makes them less aggressive and will stop/ reduce them scent marking their territory. Nothing worse than a whole male spraying inside a house.

I've had several cats over the course of 45 years - all strays, two had been taken to rescue places. I had them all neutered/spayed. I think it's the responsible thing to do.

I have always had my cats neutered as soon as they are old enough, as it is hard enough to find homes for one litter of six kittens, and must be a nightmare to find homes of more than one litter.

Most people who keep a cat, or more than one as pets probably feel the same and are willing to pay vet's bills for neutering and vaccinations.

Those who keep working cats (on farms, stables, wood yards etc) where the cats are primarily kept to keep down mice and rats frequently do not have their cats sterilised for the very good reason that the cats are semi-wild. Anyone who has ever tried to catch a cat that did not want to be caught knows how difficult that task is. In this sort of mileau either half-grown cats are chased off by their elders - cats seem to have a pretty accurate idea of how much food there is either being doled out or scampering around on four paws, and take steps to ensure that surplus youngsters are chased off. These cats either find some human to take them in, or live short lives as feral cats.

The supply of kittens needing homes is practically nil in cities, but in country districts, due to the cost of neutering and the fact that relatively few people now are prepared to put down unwanted kittens themselves, but probably would not consider paying a vet to do so.

IMO responsible pet owners do ensure that their animals do not have unwanted litters, but not everyone agrees with this point of view.

I’ve had 3 cats, all boys and neutered.

It always amazes me that there are so many non-pedigree, unwanted cats and kittens. I and just about everybody I know with male or female cats, have them neutered before they reproduce as there never seems to be a kitten shortage.

I did know one family who acquired what they thought was a male kitten and didn't see the point of neutering 'him'. A few months later 'he' produced seven kittens, something of a record for a first time cat mum. I am pleased to say they all found homes. I took two in.

All cats are neutered who come into the care of cats protection.

My little rescue is neutered.