Opinions on early neutering

[joy-1]

I was just wondering what other people's opinions are about early neutering (from 12 weeks) and what experiences people have had with it? I am a bit worried about it to be honest.

I don't have any choice with regards to my pedigree MC kitten, who is going to be done next week at 11 weeks before I get to bring him home. My other kitten is half MC (mom is pedigree) and I am taking him back to the breeder next week to be done at age 15 weeks.

The breeder says that neutering before 4 months kills any desire to roam beyond the garden. I am concerned that it might affect the eventual size of the cat or cause problems later with urination.

Does anyone have any experience with this? Or opinions? For those of you that have been through this -
how have your male cats that were neutered early turned out?

Thanks!

xx

[MickB]

Please don't worry about it, I have all my kittens neutered at 11 weeks of age. I did a LOT of research and the general consensus is that it is in fact better (in the case of MC's) for them. Even my vet said this as they tend to bleed a lot less than a full grown cat.

Honestly it never fails to amaze me when i pick up the kittens from the vet after their ops, you wouldn't even know they'd had an op..apart from a small bald spot on the girls of course. Whereas when we had Misty spayed at 2 years old it took her about 4-5 days to totally get over the operation.

As for affecting their size, I got a nice email from an owner of one of my kittens. He just got back from the vets after getting it's 2nd annual booster and was bursting to tell me his boy weighed 10.5 kgs

[Musicalife]

I personally would not neuter at such a young age, but lots of people do. I think it is often more to do with protecting the bloodlines and making sure there are no "accidental kittens" which may then be passed off as legitimate pedigree cats than restricting the roaming tendency. My adult pets were all neutered at around the same age, some like to get out and about (if they can escape!), others are quite happy at home. We are currently attempting to contain any escapees in the garden so they will be happy to have some safe outside time without roaming the neighbourhood. I generally recommend 6-9 months for my kittens to be neutered.

How strange - It seems Mick was typing his post as I was and got his reply up first - it just goes to show the differences in breeder outlook, not right or wrong, just different.

[BensMom]

I would not neuter at such an early age either! My breeder stressed to wait as long as possible. MC's are a large cat breed and require their growth plates to develop. I did not have my male neutered until he was 8 months of age.

[H&SWells]

i had mine done at just over 5 months as their litter tray was starting to smell stronger and felt it was the right time.

[MickB]

it just goes to show the differences in breeder outlook, not right or wrong, just different.

I couldn't have put it better myself

Just trying to reassure Joy-1 and that she needn't worry as I personally haven't had any problem,

So...Joy-1, convert that worry into excitement and remember that soon you aren't going to have a minute to yourself once that bundle of mayhem moves in and takes over your life \0/ (wow that sentence ran on a bit, lol)

[deshni]

My little one was done at five months, the vet recommended that I could do it from four months but I wanted to wait a bit and when I noticed his aggression levels increasing I decided to take him in.

Honestly you would have never known he had been castrated. The vet told me that he would be groggy and probably sleep most of the time and would get his appetite back in a day but Roark ran into the garden as soon as we got home to play, came in and ate some food and only went to sleep at bed time.

I must admit that his aggression levels have decreased although his favourite things to chew on are still my fingers!

[Aquila]

I got Tia done at 6months,when I got her home she was running & playing all night,I was nervous all afternoon,it surprised me how she took the ordeal in her stride,they are tough loveable cats