How do I stop them from breeding??

[CognativeDissonance]

A few weeks before lockdown, I adopted two kittens from CPL. They were only 10 weeks at the time so CPL issued vouchers for them to be neutered once big enough. Obviously, this now cannot happen as it's a routine procedure. How on earth do I stop them from breeding in the mean time? They're fast approaching 16 weeks now so Girl kitten could potentially go in to heat fairly soon. From what I understand, male kittens start to respond to female kittens in heat from about 6 months. Is there any chance that this could happen sooner? Do I need to keep them separate if Girl kitten comes into heat before they both hit 6 months? The only way I could do this would be to put one in another room for the duration of her being in heat but I assume this could be quite distressing for them given the fact that they're a bonded pair and they're already so used to our home?
Sorry for all of the questions but I'd really appreciate any advice that anyone could give.

You're best off keeping them in different areas of the house and having seperate areas for their food and their litter tray. When it comes to letting them outside, maybe let one out and then let the other one out when the first one comes back, letting them have the whole house

Debra

@debrasmith Yes the first thing I did was move their food etc to different areas. Problem is that boy kitten is very confused and just wants to play with his mate! Girl kitten keeps prowling, hissing and swiping, even if boy kitten is minding his own business, it's literally like I've bought home a completely different cat. It's very confusing, they were adopted as a bonded pair so it's worrying that this has changed in the space of one day, I hope it's not permanent.
I was thinking of getting some feliway today, I hope that works.

@ginger Thankfully she's stopped hissing at me now!

Try zylkene, it really takes the edge off things for them. Like a single G&T. Enough to calm down a bit, not enough to really get you tipsy.

Thanks for the recommendation @Fluffycloudland77. I have a virtual meeting at 11 then I'll pop down to Pets at Home

Zylkene and feliway work together really well too, you could try slow introductions again too.

Cats are long sighted so perhaps when they smell odd and you can’t see close up very well anyway they assume it’s a different cat?.

@Fluffycloudland77 That's what I thought but I've need her go really close to him, sniff and then start hissing again.
I'm being silly I'm sure but it makes me a bit sad! They were like two peas in a pod up until yesterday!
His temperament has changed immediately since his procedure. I knew it would happen but i didn't realise it would be like flicking a switch. He's much calmer and timid all of a sudden and 10x more affectionate. She is usually all over me but now she's just hiding away under my bed. Fed sorry for them both, I really don't know what could have made girl kitten react so badly.
I'm fairly new to pet ownership so this in uncharted territory for me!

My cat always hissed at the other for 2-3 days after a vet visit, I'm sure it will calm down fairly soon.

The cat who has been at the vet might change again, a vet visit always leads to mine being extra affectionate too.

Try not to worry, they will find their own equilibrium again.

It wouldn't work at the moment but worth considering taking both kittens along when one of them has an appointment. We had girl/boy kittens that were sprayed weeks apart and with a fair few followup appointments and after the hissing after the first appointment we took both along in the same crate and it stopped. Also minimalised the whinging in the car. Couldn't get both in the same crate now though

Aww, I hope they're getting on well again now op? Mine are the same if one goes to the vet without the other. It definitely helps if they go together but obviously that's not always possible.

It took some time but we got there in the end! Friends again

That’s good news, and not fwb now either.

@Fluffycloudland77 indeed! 🤣

Haha! Great news OP