Best age to neuter a (male) kitten

[Fiona1984]

Our kitten is now 13 weeks, and has had his jabs. Not chipped yet because he is still very tiny and the vet nurse advised we wait and do it when he is under anaesthetic for his neuter. She suggested having it done at 16-17 weeks.
But the vet at the last appointment said 6 months for neutering to allow his urethra to fully develop.
My older boy wasn't neutered until a year.
He had an episode of struvite crystals which led to a bladder blockage he had to be catheterised for. So I'm wary of neutering kitten early if it increases the chances of this happening to him as well
Any advice?

Mine was young. Hard to age exactly as he's a founding - found at around 5 weeks old. But he was chipped and neutered not long after his jabs.

He's been fine.

Early neutering does not increase the risk of crystals.
The risk for crystals is being over weight, sedentary and there is some evidence that it is more likely if you feed go-cat.
Keep your neutered Male cat slim, active and on high quality cat food and you dramatically reduce the risk.
We neuter males at around 4 months.

We also neuter at 4 months. Male and female.

Yes, 4 months.

And as Lonecat (a vet) says - it isn't related to crystals.

If you want to avoid crystals and blocked bladders don't feed male cats dry food and never, never feed them cheap dry food.

My two were done at 4 months

The oldest cat was on cheap food before he got ill, but since he got home he is on hills vet plan wet food and their regular dry food, and he's had no recurrences. He's also got a water fountain which they both use (loves drinking from the tap).
The kitten I switched from the whiskas he was on when I got him, to James wellbeloved grain free food. The whiskas was upsetting his tummy.
I do want to get him done early to avoid any territorial issues with them both being male.
I've only ever had female cats before these two, although my last girl hated all other cats and fought with all the neighbours

I worry about my boy. He won't eat wet food.

He does drink a fair about. I'd have to refill the dish during the day (and I frequently wake up to find him lapping away at my glass of water on the bedside table: I don't tend to take a drink out of it in the morning anymore...)

If he's drinking and the dry food is a decent quality then I wouldn't worry too much. If he's drinking the whole bowl maybe leave out two?!