Too soon for spaying?

[PeterPiperPickedSeaShells]

I have a beautiful but petit 18 week female ginger / tortoiseshell kitten who is desperate to go out & explore beyond the confines of our small "safe" area. She sits at the door & howls to be let out.

The trouble is there is at least 1 intact tom close to us who I have already caught sniffing around her. The vet originally said to wait for 6 months before spaying, does this sound about right? Do I just have to put up with the howling at the closed door & perfect my speedy entering & exiting for another 8 weeks?

Obligatory photo attached...!

It's advised to get it done at 4 months. My vet wouldn't do it until 6 months so i went to a different vet who would do it from 4 months

Vet here. The advice to wait till 6 months is outdated. It is equally safe to spay from 16w as long as the animal is not starved beforehand for as long, and close attention is paid to maintaining body temperature under GA.

I would enquire with other local vets who are familiar with doing this procedure on younger animals.

She is beautiful ❤️

Yes, find another vet. 4 months is fine.

From 6 weeks according to this

www.petcha.com/early-age-spayneuter-for-kittens/

We were advised today by vet for 5 months for our kitten. However she said Sage to let her out now she has had all the jabs once she's settled in for another week or 2.

I'm nervous about letting her out before the op though 😟

feral Definitely do not let yours out unneutered, she WILL get pregnant - it's not if, it's when!!

And yes, from 4 months is fine, find a vet who will do it. Much better to do it before they have their first season as it cuts down on the risk of some cancers.

She's lovely!

I'm in a similar situation - I don't want to let my little kitten out too soon, as she absolutely will get pregnant if she's out unaccompanied.... I feel like I'm a Victorian chaperone...

For our clients we say four months. For our own kittens for homing and neuter/returns we do it once they reach 1kg, which is generally at around 10/11 weeks. They are always fine.

4 months is recommended now. I would definitely contact another vet. Definitely don't let her out until she's spayed.