Female Kitten Neutering

[LittleTabby]

Hello! Some advice please!

We are getting our kitten at just over 12 weeks in August. We were hoping she could be neutered before coming home (as have heard rescues neuter at 8 weeks!) Though we have been told this isn't possible and therefore isn't recommended. What has surprised me is the vet suggesting 6 months.... everywhere I read says 4 (so 16 weeks) as that is when they mature. I want to do whatever is best for her, but am terrified she will get out and stray too far searching out a tom if she goes into season before it is done. I really don't want her pregnant either!
What is best?

Thank you all. I feel far more confident about my phonecall to the vets in the morning!

She cannot be done ore 12 weeks when she comes home to us, but I think 16 weeks is a good compromise as it gives her time to settle before but also gets it done ASAP!

@thecatneuterer

Our rescue neuters all kittens before they go out. They only need to weigh 1 kg (so that means around 10 or 11 weeks usually). If you're in London OP you can come to our clinic and get her done at three months.

Not in London, thank you though!

My practice as a standard says about 5-6 months or 2kg whichever comes first. We will do earlier though if requested (for instance if you’ve got a boy/girl pair).

The reasoning historically is that their liver, kidneys and metabolism is mature so the anaesthetic is safer; I think this is slightly out of date because now there are anaesthetic protocols that work really well and are demonstrated to be very safe even in tiny kittens.

We also recommend people keep kittens in until 6 months ish, whether neutered or not, because little kittens don’t have a lot of common sense and they tend to get into accidents and get lost if out on their own.

The daylight thing is true btw - cats come into season in the spring/summer, so if they are born in July they might not come into season until the following spring; personally I don’t take it into account when timing neutering though because I don’t think it’s 100% reliable.

Our local vets won't spay or neuter until six months.

The daylight thing is true btw - cats come into season in the spring/summer, so if they are born in July they might not come into season until the following spring; personally I don’t take it into account when timing neutering though because I don’t think it’s 100% reliable. That is certainly not even a little bit reliable - particularly considering the number of cats that are mated in the Winter months - far fewer than at other times, granted, but still a very large number.

@thecatneuterer

The daylight thing is true btw - cats come into season in the spring/summer, so if they are born in July they might not come into season until the following spring; personally I don’t take it into account when timing neutering though because I don’t think it’s 100% reliable. That is certainly not even a little bit reliable - particularly considering the number of cats that are mated in the Winter months - far fewer than at other times, granted, but still a very large number.

I second this. My queen calls every second week regardless of the season. What I don't get is: vets always say the risk of pyometra is very-very low in young kittens, yet I know lots of breeders had to deal with it.

I have just spoken with the vets (including direct check in with the surgeon for advice) they usually say after first season, but it is up to the owners and the surgeon has confirmed he is happy to neuter her at 16 weeks and that it is perfectly fine and safe to do so. Also recommended as suggested above to have her microchip put in at the same time as will be far nicer for her that way.

So that's sorted.

We haven't even got her yet and I am already soooooo worried about her 😔

Well that's good. But 'after the first season'? Seriously? I think that might be a thing for dogs but it most certainly isn't for cats and is a hugely irresponsible thing to recommend. If that is the level of your vet's knowledge then I'd be concerned about what else they are clueless about.

@thecatneuterer

Well that's good. But 'after the first season'? Seriously? I think that might be a thing for dogs but it most certainly isn't for cats and is a hugely irresponsible thing to recommend. If that is the level of your vet's knowledge then I'd be concerned about what else they are clueless about.

It was the receptionist and actually she did phrase it as 'usually around 6 months which is often after their first season' So my paraphrasing may have had a Chinese whisper effect there 😳 She went off to get actual confirmation though, so am pleased with that!

My boy was done at 4 months. Lots of vets will!

Good for you OP being a responsible cat owner.

@JorisBonson

My boy was done at 4 months. Lots of vets will!

Good for you OP being a responsible cat owner.

Thank you!

I just wanted to pop back and thank everyone for their advice which gave me the confidence to push for the 16 week neutering! Unfortunately little one couldn't be done at the booked 16 week appointment as we had covid! Vets were brilliant and just moved our appointment a week. So Thursday at 17w1 day and a smidge over 2kg she had the op. Currently snoozing in my arms and suffering a bit (super tired and shaky) but she had a followup this morning and they are really pleased with her. Relieved it is done!