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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

New kitten neutering and vaccination ages

28 replies

Kittekats · 04/05/2019 09:53

We are picking up a new kitten in a couple of weeks (standard moggy) when he will be 9 weeks.

It’s the first time we have had a kitten so young, we previously privately rescued at 5 months so it was straight to vet for vaccinations, microchip and neutering.

We also have a 4.5 year old spayed indoor/outdoor girl who lost her littermate a few weeks ago so he is coming for company. We will be very careful with the introductions but saying it is not an issue in the house as she is spayed.

We are going away when kitten will be 20 weeks and thought best to put them both in a cattery as he will be so young.

In preparation for this I have phoned and registered him at our vets who then say they won’t vaccinate until 10 weeks and neuter until 21 weeks. Another vet said 20 weeks and a final one I phoned said from 16 weeks.

I am waiting a call back from a cattery with space to go a visit so don’t know if they will take him before being neutered.

Any thoughts on the age for neutering?

Also is it right that he shouldn’t come into any contact with our other cat until he has his first vaccinations?

This will be our 5th cat but first one this young (we got two at a year and two at 5 months previously) so I feel a bit out of my comfort zone. Help!!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 09:56

It's 4 months for neutering and I don't think it's a new thing. There is a kitten neutering database online that lists vets that will do it at that age. Mine got done at 4 months 2 years ago

Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 09:58

Well that is what I had thought so was surprised when the vet said they wouldn’t do it before 21 weeks.

Is there any reason some vets like to delay it?

I will look for the database, thank you.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 10:00

My vet wouldn't do it before 6 months so I used the database to find one that did it at 4 months. I don't know why some don't go by the guidelines

viccat · 04/05/2019 10:00

The rescue where I volunteer vaccinates when kittens are over 1kg in weight which tends to be around 8-10 weeks of age for most kittens. He will have a course of two vaccinations - the 2nd is 3-4 weeks after the first.

Neutering can be done from about 4 months, but some vet's still have outdated attitudes about it... It's a very small operation for male cats. My boys have both been done at 4 months.

Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 10:10

Thanks all.

Do you reckon I could keep him registered at my current vets but go elsewhere to get him neutered?

I would just like all those things done ASAP anyway really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 10:12

So neutering will be sorted at 16 weeks.

Re vaccinations is it right that he shouldn’t have contact with my other cat until after his first vaccinations and then shouldn’t go outside until a week after his second vaccinations?

Thanks again

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 10:12

Yes, that's what I did. They are registered with my local vet but I took them to one in a different town for neutering

SimonJT · 04/05/2019 10:12

Why is he being rehomed so early? He should be with his mum until at least 12 weeks.

Kittens can be neutered from 1kg upwards, it’s a shame some vets are still behind the times, you would think they would be more proactive in reducing backyard breeding.

dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 10:15

I would keep him inside until he is at least 5 or 6 months old tbh as they are very small before then. I then let mine out supervised and picked them out of trees/off fences for a few weeks before letting them do their own thing

dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 10:15

I got mine at 8 weeks

Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 10:23

8 weeks seems to be the standard for ‘accidental’ moggies. I know some breeders will keep for longer though.

We are doing what we can to make his transition as good as possible. Sending up a blanket for him to have for a couple of weeks where he is now before he brings it with him when we get him etc.

I would rather not take a kitten away from mum but if I don’t someone else is going to to be honest. We wanted young and male to increase chances of him getting on with our older girl. She is lonely without her brother.

Interestingly no vets in my town so early neutering but there are a couple 10-15 miles away who do.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 10:23

Yes I think keeping him inside until after our holiday is a good plan.

OP posts:
Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 10:24

We have a microchip catflap so will have to monitor he doesn’t follow our girl out!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/05/2019 10:36

I got mine chipped at the same time as they got neutered but suppose you could get it done before that

agnurse · 04/05/2019 18:09

They can neuter as young as 8 weeks but it is sometimes recommend to wait until they are a little more developed, as the hormones play a role in development.

As far as age of weaning, we brought Gatsby home at 8 weeks. Mind, his mother rejected him so he had been hand reared. He promptly decided that I'm his mum Grin We had him neutered a little later, at about 9 months. He took it as a champ and even jumped up on top of the high cupboards the same day as his surgery - something he never did before! This is the little guy himself, loving on his mum - me.

New kitten neutering and vaccination ages
Original poster
Kittekats · 04/05/2019 19:23

Fab photo!

OP posts:
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 04/05/2019 21:15

I collected dkitten from the RSPCA at 13 weeks and she was chipped, vaccinated and neutered. Our vet (different branch of the local chain that the RSPCA use) told me that more vets are doing it early because it’s so much easier and the recovery is quicker. I’m not sure if that’s just girls though!
Here she is showing off her scar just after we picked her up

New kitten neutering and vaccination ages
Original poster
Kittekats · 05/05/2019 00:02

Another lovely photo!

OP posts:
agnurse · 05/05/2019 04:16

She pretty girl! I love kitties!

HelloJackieYouLookNice · 05/05/2019 06:55

She is pretty but she’s a minx at 5am every morning Grin

agnurse · 05/05/2019 07:54

Gatsby used to do that until he learned he got nothing if the alarm had not gone off.

Now I only get badgered AFTER (or just a couple minutes before) the alarm goes off Grin

Original poster
Kittekats · 05/05/2019 08:31

So that brings in another question!

My previous cats have always stayed out of bedrooms at night but have always come in pairs. This little chap will be on his own for the first week or so at least while introductions go on.

Someone told me he will cry at night and will need to sleep in our room. I could at first but I’d rather not to be honest as it may set a precedent and I find they disturb my sleep too much generally. But it seems rather cruel to leave him on his own all night.

Any thoughts?

OP posts:
HelloJackieYouLookNice · 05/05/2019 08:34

Mine come on the bed, I love the morning cuddles but I just wish they weren’t so early Grin

agnurse · 05/05/2019 08:38

Depends on the cat. My parents don't allow cats in the bedroom and theirs (they have two) do okay.

When I'm at home sleeping alone (Hubby works nights) I let them in. But when Hubby is home we don't. Again, they do okay.

Gatsby likes to sleep right next to me. He loves his mum Grin