What is the right age for cats to be fixed?

Question

My kittens are about 5 weeks old, I'd like to get them spayed and neutered ASAP. When should I schedule a visit with the vet?

Answer 1

Pediatric spay and neuter is often done when a cat gets to be 2 or 3 pounds, as early as 12 weeks.  This is usually done by larger humane societies, and very proactive vets.  This procedure has been going on for around 15 years now, and is slowly catching on.  I haven't heard of any complications with this type of procedure (but there are concerns of this procedure in large breed dogs), and kittens this young recover in hours, vs older cats that can take days.  Most vets will probably not spay or neuter a cat this young.  One of the biggest things is that male cats will never get the secondary sexual characteristics - and will look more like a female cat.

But, I think the best thing to do is call up your vet and ask.  I think anytime before 5 months is best, because cats can be sexually mature as early as 6 months.  If your vet says to wait until the cat is over six months, or needs to be in first heat, or anything like this, find a new vet.

Thank you so much for being proactive.  Too many people only think of having there cats fixed after they get pregnant, or start spraying.  :)

Answer 2

You could save a lot of money and do it at home. They sell at home kits on the internet.

Answer 3

About 4 to 5 months to insure your cats healthy growth some vets say if you fix them before this time it can cause pelvic compilations. they hit puberty at 6 months. fix them before this time.

But the SPCA fixes them as soon as they turn 6 wks

its your call!

Answer 4

i believe its 4mos

Answer 5

I think it is around 2 to 3 months.  But ask your vet.

Answer 6

The traditional age for spaying is six months, however, this practice has enabled kittens to be adopted from the shelters unspayed. Often the new owner fails to return for spaying and the result is further contribution to the pet over-population problem. The last twenty years has brought us a great deal of research into “early” spaying and we now know that there is no problem with spaying as early as 8 weeks of age. Our hospital finds such tiny tissues difficult to manipulate and we like to spay our female patients when they weigh at least 3 1/2 to 4 pounds

Answer 7

6 months to 8 months

Answer 8

for the females it should be right after their first period.  For the males it should probably be when the females are done.  

Answer 9

It would be better to do it as soon as possible because if you do it later your cats will have a harder time recovering. I would ask your vet for the exact age of when it can be done the soonest.

Answer 10

Two of my cats were neutered before I took them home from the animal sheltered. Approx. 2 months old.

Answer 11

Around 1. i have 2 cats and we both got them fixed and neutered when they were around their first birthday. they're brother and sister, but we were worried about other cats outdoors. hope this helps.

Answer 12

With kittens, they need to be 3 mo. or 3 lbs. to safely spay them. I think that male kittens can be almost 3 mo. and it's ok, since it's not a "inside" surgery for males.

Call the vets office that you're going to use, or the local shelter, and they can confirm for you.

Answer 13

I looked it up and it's between 4-5 months of age.

Answer 14

I would wait at least until 12 weeks of age. They like for them to be older, usually around 5 - 6 months, then they're not as much of an anesthesia risk, but rescues and humane society will alter a cat as early as 8 weeks.

Your veterinarian will give you his or her recommendation, but it's your choice as to when to do it.  

Answer 15

It depends on who you talk to.

Shelters do it as young as 7 weeks but some people feel this is dangerous. Generally you want to do it between 4-6 months so they don't start spraying if they are a male or they don't start calling if they are a female.

If you wait too long sometimes they will continue to spray and/or do other undesirable things =)