My Maine Coon desire. What do you think?

Question

I want to get a black male Maine Coon Cat.

Name him Tybalt - I've always thought it would suit a black cat, and this breed seems most elegant.

Would spaying the cat before he's a year old stunt his growth?

Answer 1

Many cat breeders neuter their male cats before they are sold, at about 12 weeks.  I have two neutered male bengals and they were both neutered at 12 weeks old and are fine at the ages of 2 and 5 years.  I had a Maine Coon for several years that we rescued and he crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year.  His name was Bear and we miss him very much.  Good luck with your new cat.

Answer 2

He will not have the thick male neck, but the pros's of neutering out weigh him having a thick neck any day.

Answer 3

What a pretty name, sounds very fitting to me.

And no, I don't believe it will.

It would be much healthier and easier for the cat if they are spayed before they are one year of age.  

Answer 4

Good name.  Make sure it fits though.  My newest addition put in her 2 cents worth as for what her final name would be.

Be careful with early neutering.  I have a 3 year old Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat (adopted already neutered at 11 weeks from a shelter) and we went through a heck of an ordeal with his hips at around the age of 2.  Hormones affect more than just the outer appearance and I'm convinced it had a role to play in this.

My vet gave me two options - surgery or euthanasia - and sent me on my merry way with a questionable NSAID.  I put him on glucosamine, extra TLC and changed vets.  He's doing great now but I would surely have preferred he had more time to mature before having him fixed.  It was too early in my opinion.