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The litter tray

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

Original poster

Spay my kitten or let her breed in future?

117 replies

LimeLemonOrange · 07/09/2020 12:00

I have two adorable kittens, one male and one female. The male is definitely getting 'done' so he doesn't spray and fight.

I'm in a dilemma with the girl. I like the idea of letting her have at least one litter of kittens but I have no experience of this and have a few worries about it.

When I was a child we had a kitten who got pregnant immediately and then rejected her kittens as she was too young. If cats are outdoor cats and my kitten comes on heat, I assume there's no way to prevent this? Unless I notice when she's on heat and keep her indoors at that time? How easy is that, do they give visible signs when they're on heat?

And what are the challenges of having a litter of kittens? I think my biggest challenge would be rehoming the new kittens when I've called in love with them all! But I'm sure there are other challenges too.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences.

OP posts:
OwlBasket · 07/09/2020 12:13

Spay ASAP. It’s irresponsible not to.

CMOTDibbler · 07/09/2020 12:14

Spay

Toddlerteaplease · 07/09/2020 12:15

Yes. irresponsible not to spay. You don't let a cat have an unwanted litter just because you like the idea of it. Don't be so stupid.
You will be absolutely flamed one here for even suggesting it!

ChickenwingChickenwing · 07/09/2020 12:16

I'm in a dilemma with the girl. I like the idea of letting her have at least one litter of kittens

Your dilemma is that you 'like the idea' Confused

Be responsible. Have your cat spayed.

Aquamarine1029 · 07/09/2020 12:16

Don't be ridiculous. Spay the cat.

lljkk · 07/09/2020 12:16

I honestly thought this would actually be about someone with a rare pedigree.

There are better ways to enjoy kittens rather than bring more of them into the world. I hope you get the girl cat spayed ASAP, OP.

spurs4ever · 07/09/2020 12:17

Definitely spay her.

thecatneuterer · 07/09/2020 12:24

This has to be a troll post. Well I hope it is. I despair that the neutering message is still so spectacularly failing to get through.

Assuming this is for real - there are no benefits to allowing your cat to have kittens. It can be dangerous for her and she will be upset when her kittens are eventually taken away. There are already hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats and kittens in this country alone. If you bring more into the world, even if they get homes, you are adding to the number as you are taking homes that could have been used for some of the existing unwanted kittens.

An unneutered female kept indoors when in heat/all the time will suffer physical and psychological problems. If she doesn't mate when in heat then the cycle of coming into heat will speed up and up, until she is basically always in heat. This will mess with her hormones which in turn lead to a sort of psychosis which normally manifests at around 3 years old. She will also be in great danger of suffering a fatal pyometra.

For heavens sake have her spayed.

Beamur · 07/09/2020 12:25

There's no advantage for your cat to have a litter. Kinder and more responsible to spay her.

Crocky · 07/09/2020 12:27

Spay.

thecatneuterer · 07/09/2020 12:28

Read this OP www.celiahammond.org/index.php/faqs/neutering-information

RedCatBlueCat · 07/09/2020 12:29

Spay.

Mamagotskills · 07/09/2020 12:31

Spay your kitten

Mogtheforgetfulmum · 07/09/2020 12:34

Spay

SoddingWeddings · 07/09/2020 12:34

Spay. Always spay.

Wolfiefan · 07/09/2020 12:38

Spay. She doesn’t want a litter of kittens. You do. It’s better for her to spay.

Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 07/09/2020 12:38

Not a troll - just had no idea - sorry!

When I was buying my kittens people were selling me kittens, so they'd obviously let their cats breed. A friend of mine, very respectable solicitor, lets her cats have litters.

So I had no idea it was a terrible thing to do. No need to all shout at me - this is exactly why I asked!

Now I know I will book her spay.

OP posts:
Original poster
LimeLemonOrange · 07/09/2020 12:40

ps when I was buying my kittens it was impossible to get any! I had to stalk the Gumtree ads and phone the second they'd been posted, and even then I missed out on so many before securing some.

Lots of friends have been posting on facebook looking for kittens with no success.

So where are all these unwanted kittens? I will still spay, I'm just curious to learn more about kitten supply and demand.

OP posts:
RaininSummer · 07/09/2020 12:40

Well done for taking advice. The world is full of unwanted animals.

TheNavigator · 07/09/2020 12:46

Both time when I got a kitten (near Manchester over 20 years ago, near Edinburgh more recently) I just contacted a local cat charity and they were both over run with kittens at the time. So Bury and Edinburgh cat sanctuarys have zillions of kittens if you want another. Please spay your cat.

thecatneuterer · 07/09/2020 12:46

I am glad you are taking the advice too.

Most rescues are full of kittens. Ours certainly is. There are also hundreds of thousands being born in gardens to cats that tend to get thrown out when pregnant. There isn't a street in East London that our charity hasn't removed kittens and stray mums from at some point in the last 20 years or so. Our charity has more calls about unwanted kittens/kittens in gardens than we are even able to respond to.

If you live in an affluent area then it's possible that things are much more under control where you are, but I bet you anything that if you speak to local charities they will not think it is. Also of course it's seasonal. The second kitten season of the year is now getting underway. It's always worse than the Spring season as any pent up demand for kittens tends to have been satisfied in the Spring, and fewer people are looking at this time of year. Also the people who didn't manage to get rid of all their kittens in Spring will find that not only is their original cat now pregnant/giving birth again, but so are their offspring.

lljkk · 07/09/2020 12:49

Apparently there is a shortage of kittens this year (2020) in some areas, but most years the shelters struggle to find homes, spring is especially bad. There are actually kittens appearing in my area (Norfolk).

Cats do not enjoy their fertility. Neutering is best.

BovaryX · 07/09/2020 12:51

OP,
Where are you? The number of unwanted, abandoned cats living dire lives on the streets is off the charts in many countries. Cats that used to be pets abandoned because their owners got bored, they moved or they just couldn't be bothered. Why are you planning to add to this problem? It's thoughtless and irresponsible not to neuter your pet.

Vinorosso74 · 07/09/2020 12:52

Am glad you have decided to spay. Remember they can get pregnant at 4 months. Most vets advise neutering then too, they may seem small but imagine a cat that small being pregnant and having to give birth.
I do worry how many older kittens and young adults will end up in rescues or dumped in the coming months after all the lockdown purchases. Same with dogs.

viccat · 07/09/2020 12:55

In terms of available kittens and supply & demand...
Kittens are often adopted/homed easier but lots of them then find their way to rescues or end up abandoned later on, after the cute kitten stage. Have a look at any rescue website and there are dozens of young adult cats who have been surrendered due to no fault of their own. This time of year most rescues will also be so full in general that they have a waiting list to take in cats found with their kittens as stray in people's sheds and gardens.

Especially when people buy privately, they don't always consider it's a 15-20 year commitment. Cats Protection estimates there are around 8 million stray cats in the UK alone. They were all once pets or are the offspring of someone's pets, born outdoors. If you want to look after kittens, sign up to foster for a local rescue.