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 Feline
Neutering
If it is not your intention to breed your cat, it is a good idea to have
your pet neutered, castration for a male cat and spaying for the female. The correct age
varies slightly depending upon the kitten's rate of development, but is generally from
three and a half months upwards for males and four and a half months upwards for females.
But you should take your kitten to your veterinarian and ask his advice about this.
Veterinarians have differing opinions on the optimal time for
spaying. Some believe that it should be performed after the cat's first heat at
six to eight months, to ensure the development of a normal adult body shape and
to have the least effect on the neuro-endocrine system. Others think that
spaying is most effective in preventing health problems as well as unplanned
pregnancies in the period before the cat’s first heat, from eight weeks old to
six months of age.
As your veterinary surgeon will tell you, because an anaesthetic is used,
no food or drink should be given for twelve hours before the operation. Male cats normally
recover slightly quicker than females as the surgery in the female is a little more
involved. But if your kitten, male or female, is given light food and kept quiet for a day
or two after the operation, it will soon recover and suffer no ill effects at all.
Some would say that having a cat neutered makes them become overweight and
lethargic, but that is simply not true! My
own cat, who was neutered as a kitten, is of normal size
and is far from being lethargic. Provided your neutered cat is fed correctly, has
exercise, play things to keep it from becoming bored, and your attention regularly, it
will grow-up and live a normal and happy life. Also apart from the obvious benefits of
unwanted kittens causing a feline population explosion, you will not have to suffer the
incessant calling as your cat tries to get out of the house to find a mate. And your male
cat will not have that unpleasant smell.
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