Neutering

[Nelleflowerpot]

Hi, I am due to get a female kitten next week at 12weeks. She was meant to be neutered by breeder but (not surprising) she was too small to be done. I have called my vet and they do them at 6 months.
I have always had boy cats before but as such a large age gap from now when breeder wanted her done to the 6 months the vet says I wondered what is the normal and best age for a female cat 😐.
Also while I'm here what is the best kitten food ? X

[cozietoesie]

You might find this guidance interesting.

[cozietoesie]

PS - many people, and veterinarians, have 6 months set in their minds, though. My own practice neuters at 4 months, size and health being OK for it.

[cozietoesie]

Sorry - that should have read 'if size and health are OK for it'.

[girlinleeds]

Depends on the vets, ours are all rescue cats and neutered before rehoming, so kitten was approx 12 weeks

[RiverTam]

6 months was when the rescue centre we got ours from said. You need to keep them in until they are neutered. This was for boy/girl kittens, both 6 months.

[cozietoesie]

If you read the linked Cat Group Policy Statement, they actually cover that issue, girl.

[cozietoesie]

I always remember that my own Oneago's litter brother sired a litter at 5 months old to the apparent consternation of his breeder.

[HeavenlyHeathen]

Our vet wouldn't do our youngest until she was six months old. I asked her to be done at four and they said no.

You will need to keep her I though because she could get pregnant. Tom cats are persistent little buggers.

I'd suggest getting the best food you can afford. A mixture of meat and biscuits generally work well. And buy the food in bulk. Whichever you decide on, buy loads of it. It works out much cheaper in the long run.

[thecatneuterer]

We recommend neutering at four months. We do stray/feral cats younger still. Six months is very outdated advice. I would find another vet.

[Nelleflowerpot]

Thank you cozietiesie that was helpful! But now I'm worried my vet wants to leave it too late. I am not planning on letting her out until spring anyway under supervision but I really don't want a cat on heat.
She is a Burmese if it makes any difference? Should I challenge vet and see if possible to do it before 6 months?
Food I fully intend to give the best but which brand? I think she is on science plan kitten at present.

[cozietoesie]

What is your confidence level in her current vet - and do you have any other vets around?

[RiverTam]

thecatneuterer, that's good to know, ours were done over 10 years ago! (Semi-feral kittens from Celia Hammond).

[Nelleflowerpot]

I'm actually leaving the vet I used for my last cat as I wasn't happy with the flea treatments anyway.
Although have phoned them to check on neutering and they said 6 months. Phoned two other local vets including vet hospital and they said 6 months although we could discuss it when I go in 😕. I'm going with the vet hospital as better facility's and 24 hour care plus a really good kitten package. How pushy can you be with a vet when I have no animal medical training ( I do humans though 😉). I just want to look after my kitten.

[cozietoesie]

....although we could discuss it when I go in.....

I'd print out a copy of the Cat Group Policy Statement for them. They don't sound to have totally fixed ideas.

[thecatneuterer]

I was going to suggest the same as Cozie. You could print out our info as well (as a specialist neutering clinic) www.celiahammond.org/index.php/faqs/neutering-information

[cozietoesie]

It's like all things. Do your homework and then go in and have a proper discussion with them. They'll need to see your girl to confirm that she's fine - and at the end of the day, they're the ones who have to do the procedure.

[Soubriquet]

I know with dogs they like them to have at least one season to be neutered. So they reach mental maturity aswell as bodily maturity. But it's far easier to stop a dog getting out than it is a cat

Keep at your vets and take in as much info as possible.

My cat is fed on dry Royal canin mother and baby biscuits. They are the only ones she will eat. And after a bit of trial and error with wet food.......the only wet food she will eat is gourmet.

[thecatneuterer]

Sobriquet - that absolutely isn't the case with cats.

[Nelleflowerpot]

Thank you! That is fantastic info will defiantly take it in with me so we can discuss properly. Really want it done before she has a session. X

[RubbishMantra]

I got my little man done at 5 months - I think I recall the vet saying as long as he was over 2 kilos.

Food - I gave him Animonda Carny kitten and Applaws dry kitten from Zooplus. Both grain free and a high meat content.