Canvassing opinions please

[Thekindestcut]

We have two five month old male kittens - brothers. We've had them just under a fortnight.

I had planned on leaving their chop until March but one was quite frisky with his brother this morning.

I'm interested in other opinions as to what at age is best. It wasn't a conversation we had with the vet as when we took them for their first jab last week I just said we were going to leave it for a couple of months but keep them indoors.

They still seem quite small to me!

Do it soon as you can, full toms are aggressive.

Snip snip snip! Mine were done around four months I think but they were quite big boys most vets go on weight

2 months or 2lbs, whichever comes first.... I'm still quite flummoxed at UK vets reticence to neuter earlier than they do. It works, healing time is very quick, and it means no unplanned litters. No brainer.

Had our 2 dbs done at 6 months. Book them in ASAP!! Spraying Tom's are manky!!

4 months is the advised age. My two were done at just over 4 months. I did have to go to a different vet as mine said 6 months. There is a kitten neutering database online that will tell you which vets near you that will do it from 4 months

Get them booked in ASAP.

Does anyone know why some vets leave it until 6 months?

Ours said it gave them a cobbier appearance ie cheek pouches.

Don't know but in theory they can start breeding from as early as 4 months so best to get it done sooner rather than later

Battersea neuter at 8 weeks now - so anytime!

Had mine done at 6 months (pedigree) but rescues will neuter much younger cats before rehoming so it must be safe enough.

Cheek pouches? Are we talking front or rear here?

@abbsissparticus Faces! They tend to get wider faces and generally heavier and less delicate looking heads if they are neutered later on. My rescue boy wasn't done until her was around a year old, and his head is much bigger in proportion to his sister's, and almost Big Cat shaped while hers is classic cute house cat.

Ours said it gave them a cobbier appearance ie cheek pouches

Swoon. I love this in a boy cat. I know, I know....

Their faces can become quite wide and almost flat, and it makes their eyes more hooded, almost triangular, when they're left unneutered for a long time. I've TNRd a few older boys - so handsome, but vicious and stinky.

It's bizzare but I've had three brothers snipped two have the cheeks one does not yet they have been done at the same age two of them on the same day (one a week later he was being given away by his new owner so 🤷‍♀️)

@YetAnotherSpartacus Ollie wasn't done until v late! At least 2 years old

I'd forgotten that - and he is a delicate one-fanged boy is he not?

This thread is fascinating!

I left my pair of brothers until six montha, but this was largely due to the fact that one was having a hernia repair done at the same time and we wanted to see if it would self resolve (it didn't).

There was a lot of amorous behaviour in the weeks preceding the ops.

Four months is the (British Veterinary Association) recommended age, so get it done as soon as you can.

@YetAnotherSpartacus just for you

Swoon. I love this in a boy cat. I know, I know....

Harry had cheek pouches. Then lost his teeth and his face changed shape. His pouches are still there but his face looks thinner.

Does anyone know why some vets leave it until 6 months? Because they're not up to date with current guidelines (which changed some years ago).

As also said above rescues do it much younger than even four months, as the rescue I'm with does. As long as they weigh at least 1kg we do it, so that is, in practice, around 10 or 11 weeks.

I did my two by six months old.
Doesnt stop the humping of the cushions... I've seen more cat willy that I frankly cared to or expected!

I'm sure that there are Ollie kittens out there somewhere, but I can't help thinking that he wooed his chosen lady-cats with a rose in his mouth and an offer to assist with kitten care.

Is there a picture of Harry boy with chubby chops?