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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

Neutering my boy kitten

40 replies

PussyGaPaw · 12/02/2023 15:27

Hi all,

Is 4.5 months too young to neuter my boy kitten? I've seen things about potential urinary /growth issues later on if they are done too early, although the vets have said it should be fine.

He is booked to go in this week and I'm having second thoughts. Obviously the vets are the experts but I'm conscious that they are (understandably) concerned with ensuring as many cats as possible get neutered, and I'm just a bit worried this might skew their advice.

To be clear - he will absolutely be getting done, I'm just not sure whether to wait a bit or not. I also have a girl kitten (his sister) so I obviously need to balance my anxiety about getting him done too soon with the potential for them to mate (no signs of this at all yet but I very much want to avoid this 😀). Does anyone have any experience?

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
PussyGaPaw · 12/02/2023 20:22

Here they are, spooning 😍.

Neutering my boy kitten
OP posts:
Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 12/02/2023 20:24

Gorgeous OP. 😁

IloveRickyGervaisAndHisTeeth · 12/02/2023 20:27

Your kitten is not too young to be neutered. Get him done, as he IS old enough to mate with his sister. She needs doing as soon as possible

Cat owner of 42 years

Florissant · 12/02/2023 20:27

They are adorable!

Wolfiefan · 12/02/2023 20:30

Gorgeous. But please keep them in for now. If she comes into heat she could clear off after a mate. They are fast and determined. 😬

tsmainsqueeze · 12/02/2023 20:33

Maximo2 · 12/02/2023 17:28

We had our brother and sister neutered at that age as that was the advice, but the male ended up with a hip fracture at 18 months. It’s a common problem in males that are neutered before 6 months. He’s okay now but he was in terrible pain at the time. I had no idea there was a risk.

That's not correct , the vast majority of castrations are done at or before 6 months of age in cats.
I work in a vets and it is very rare to see a hip fracture in this situation.
In fact we see very few hip fractures in cats and dogs in general.

Ludo19 · 12/02/2023 21:21

Awww your kittens are gorgeous OP.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/02/2023 07:43

PussyGaPaw · 12/02/2023 20:17

Thanks everyone. When I say the cats aren't really going out, what I mean is that they have been outside on the patio for a sniff and then they've run back inside, terrified, 5 seconds after going through the door 😂. Intrepid they must definitely are not 😁.

They are both definitely getting neutered (we've already paid for both of them), I just want to get the timing right. My boy will be going in this week, as planned - thanks for your reassurances - and my girl will be booked in soon.

I would get them both done now.

It's not too early and if your female goes into heat and does a runner when you let her onto the patio, you're screwed.

They will run for miles when in season and males can smell them from miles off too.

JorisBonson · 13/02/2023 07:50

Another one at 4 months. My boy is 4 and a half now, never sprayed, never had any urinary issues (touch wood!). He was so desperate to get outside back then.

JorisBonson · 13/02/2023 07:51

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 13/02/2023 07:43

I would get them both done now.

It's not too early and if your female goes into heat and does a runner when you let her onto the patio, you're screwed.

They will run for miles when in season and males can smell them from miles off too.

Show quote history

Oh god definitely. I remember before we got girl cat done and the absolute rabble of boys waiting outside for her. And the noise!

ChatterMonkey · 13/02/2023 20:12

They shouldnt even be sniffing about outside until they are neutered. Do you really think you could catch a cat that catches a scent and then realises they are in heat? They might seem timid at the moment but that will change faster than you realise.

Clarich007 · 15/02/2023 10:31

Please get her done before 6 months.
Female kittens can be in season from 5 months. Why would you risk it?

FeinCuroxiVooz · 15/02/2023 10:35

definitely get him done asap. 4 months is fine, and if you leave it much longer there's a good chance your girl will be pregnant before she is big enough for her spay operation, and that could cause her lifelong health complications.

Original poster
PussyGaPaw · 15/02/2023 14:41

He's been done and is now ball-less 😊.

Thanks for all of your advice.

OP posts:
Clarich007 · 15/02/2023 14:44

Lol, that's good news PussyGaPaw. Bless him. My cat didn't seem to notice when his were stolen. 🙀😂

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