Male and female kittens can be neutered from around 3 months of age as long as they weigh over 1.5kgs, however, we usually recommend they are done at 5/6 months. There are many advantages to neutering your cat at a young age.
Female cats usually come into season at about 5 months old and can become pregnant. If left unneutered they will start calling for about 1 week in every 2-3 weeks during most of the year to attract male cats.
Spaying will stop all this immediately and will also remove the risk of a uterine infection. Cats can still be spayed even when they are in season or early pregnancy to prevent unwanted litters.
Once the male cat reaches 5/6 months of age their behaviour begins to change. They start to become territorial and display unwanted behaviour; such as spraying urine inside and outside of the house to mark their territory. They begin to wander further, putting them at an increased risk of getting run over and getting into more fights with other male cats; which may result in cat bite abscesses as well as an increased risk of contracting diseases such as feline leukaemia and feline AIDS.
Neutered cats also tend to have fewer behavioural problems.
5 interesting facts
- Global warming could equal more kittens. Warmer temperatures and shorter winters could lead to longer breeding seasons for cats!
- One female cat can have 29 litters of kittens in 10 years!
- Not all kittens in the same litter will have the same father!
- Related male and female cats WILL still mate if left unneutered!
- Un-neutered male cats will walk as far as 1034 acres to find a mate!