When to neuter male kittens?

[ToffeeWhirl]

I just wondered when I should book our two new Balinese kittens in for neutering. I know that four months is the recommended time nowadays, but the owner of their sister said she was waiting for six months because it's not good to neuter them before they're fully developed. Is this right?

Our kittens are nearly 16 weeks old and they are lovely, but crazy. I don't mind them charging round the house like mad things (although I have taken to putting them down for a nap, like toddlers, in the afternoon ), but I'm a bit concerned that their play fighting is getting too rough. I know you're meant to let them sort out their own power struggles, but sometimes one of them cries out, as if the other one is really hurting him.

Is now the right time to book the appointment?

Twoago started spraying at 5 months and Oneago's litter brother (another chocolate Siamese) impregnated a (luckily non-related) female at the same age. If they're healthy and of a decent weight, I'd get on the phone to the vet.

Hi cozie. Goodness, I certainly don't want them spaying! Will get on the phone then.

I've booked them in for neutering and microchipping next Thursday. They'll be one month and four days old. Feel sorry that I'll have to leave them with the vet for the day: they'll be frightened . But it has to be done.

It depends. Early neutering affects the growth of males in particular. If you want a big boy, wait as long as you can, if you don't mind, all they have to be is more than 2 kg.

dogfish - Actually, I think I'd rather they were smaller, as there are six of us in this small house (including cats) so that's fine by me.

This guidance might be of interest to you Toffee.

Thanks, cozie. Good to see it states 'around four months of age'.

Just a warning about saying you'd rather they were smaller. You need to think about their lives outside. Our rescue cat is quite small and he gets picked on by two different local cats and finds it hard to defend himself.

It's ok, they're indoor cats, Apple, and I'm intending to keep them that way. Our front door leads straight onto a main road, so it's really unsafe for them to go out. Thanks for the advice though.

I've never had a Siamese that was unprepared to defend itself against anything if needs be. It's more a question of attitude than size I think. (I should imagine that healthy Balinese are much the same.)

Having said which, attitude can be a bummer. A Siamese meeting another cat is usually going to start by saying 'What is your choice of weapons?' The Lodger on the other hand would have handed out beer and cards and got a great poker session going.