When Should You Neuter a Cat? By 5 Months!

»

When Should You Neuter a Cat? By 5 Months!

[/searchwp_no_index]

There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about spay and neuter. One of the most common misconceptions is that a cat should be fully mature before getting spayed or neutered. This simply isn’t true. By then, they could have had several litters of kittens!

Veterinarians and feline experts agree: Fixing cats by 5 months is best. That’s why we’re partnering with United Spay Alliance’s Feline Fix by Five initiative to share the benefits of spaying and neutering cats young.

Kittens can have babies.

Yes, it’s true: Cats don’t wait until they’re responsible adults to reproduce. Female cats can go into heat as early as 4 months old, which means they could get pregnant that young, too. Male cats can also impregnate female cats as early as 4-6 months old! You don’t want your kitten to be a teen parent, do you?

Kittens can safely be spayed and neutered as early as 6 weeks old. Spaying and neutering kittens between 6 and 8 weeks of age is the norm in shelters.

You may wait until closer to 5 months to get your cat fixed, as long as your cat isn’t spending any time outside or with other unaltered cats.

Kittens can safely be spayed and neutered as early as 6 weeks old.

Cats who are spayed and neutered young are healthier.

Not only does fixing kittens early prevent unwanted litters, but it also gives cats better health outcomes. Here’s what our partner United Spay Alliance says:

“Recent research has revealed that cats spayed before their first heat cycle have a 91% lower risk of developing mammary cancer.”

An estimated 104 per 100,000 cats will get mammary cancer. The risk of pyometra (an infection of the uterus) is also eliminated early in life.

Male cats who are neutered earlier have a diminished risk of developing testicular cancer and prostate diseases.

Fixed male and female cats are also less likely to fight other cats and contract Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, which can spread through bite wounds.

Experts agree.

ASPCA, Best Friends, and numerous research studies and vets agree: It’s best to get your cat fixed before they’re 5 months old. Want to see a list of veterinary endorsements? Check out this list from our friends at Feline Fix by Five.

Spayed/neutered cats make better pets.

50.8% of cats relinquished to shelters or abandoned are unspayed or unneutered, and it’s not surprising why: Unaltered cats are more likely to spray, be aggressive, fight, escape, roam and yowl. Spaying and neutering reduces all of these behaviors and makes cats more pleasant to live with.

Spaying/neutering humanely reduces the population of free-roaming cats.

Of course, not all cats are someone’s pet. There are an estimated 70-100 million free-roaming cats in the United States alone, and they are largely responsible for the kittens born each year.

Other kittens end up in shelters, which are already overcrowded and overwhelmed. These kittens may be euthanized due to space issues. Spaying and neutering cats before they can reproduce reduces the number of kittens born and the number of cats who have traumatic, short lives.

When more cats are fixed and fewer kittens are born, more cats get loving homes and long, healthy lives — all thanks to getting fixed by 5 months!

Need Spay/Neuter Help?

Have a cat that needs to be fixed or a litter of kittens in your backyard? It’s time to schedule their appointment! You can take them to your vet, or you can find a low-cost spay/neuter clinic near you. Use this tool from United Spay Alliance to find the closest clinic.

If you’re unsure how to trap a cat, learn about TNR. You can do this yourself with a trap, or you can contact a local shelter or TNR group for assistance.