What age to do a female neuter op?

[hiddenhome]

What age do they generally prefer to do female neuterings these days?

[cozietoesie]

Here's some guidance on it, hidden. You'll see at the bottom of the page (and there's a link there to a Cat Group Policy Statement) that 4 months is now recommended - all other things being equal.

I have to admit though that many owners and even some veterinary professionals still think automatically in terms of 6 months although my own vet neuters at 4 as a matter of course if the kit is healthy and of a decent weight.

[thecatneuterer]

We recommend four months. We often do cats in our own care (to be rehomed) even younger than that.

[hiddenhome]

Thanks for that. I'll probably ask the vet to do her at five months. She won't be going outside now until the spring, so no chance of her wandering away.

[cozietoesie]

Both of my recent boys that I had neutered came into maturity at about 5 months. I had them neutered at 6 months but with hindsight, I probably should have had them to the vet sooner. (I don't count The Lodger because he was neutered far later than that but it was due to 'circumstances'.)

Just keep an eye on her. When the hormones come in, a cat who had the sweetest disposition can overnight become a little termagant who defies all your attempts to keep her inside. (And likewise for boys.)

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

I just had my girl kitten (and boy) neutered at 16 weeks. They have breezed through it.. tomorrow Ophie has her tiny stitches out, she hasn't needed a collar and although they gave me pain meds for her (and I gave them) she really didn't seem in any discomfort at all... she was running round like a mad thing as soon as she came home. The vet said they recover much faster when they are little and it definitely seems to be the case :)