Early Neutering

Why You Should Neuter Your Kitten

  • Population control: Neutering before your cat reaches sexual maturity, can help prevent unwanted litters. 
  • Health: Neutering can reduce the risk of mammary tumours in female cats and reproductive emergencies in both male and female cats. 
  • Behaviour: Neutering can reduce behavioural problems like urine marking, vocalising, and roaming.

Effects of Neutering

  • Neutering a kitten at a young age is generally considered safe and does not hinder their mental growth.
  • Research has shown that early neutering does not adversely affect a kitten's cognitive development or overall behaviour.

The Procedure

  • A surgical procedure that involves removing the testicles in male animals or the uterus and ovaries in female animals. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic.
  • A veterinarian examines the kitten.
  • The kitten is given a sedative and pain medication.
  • The kitten is anesthetised.
  • An incision is made in the scrotum or abdomen.
  • The testicles or uterus and ovaries are removed.
  • The incision is closed with sutures.
  • The kitten is monitored while waking up from anaesthesia.
  • The kitten recovers at home comfortably and safely.

Myths

Myth - Early neutering causes developmental problems.

Fact - There is no evidence that early neutering causes developmental problems. In fact, early neutering has lower morbidity than conventional neutering. 

 

Myth - Early neutering causes behavioural issues.

Fact - Early neutering can reduce or eliminate territorial marking, fighting, and roaming in male cats. 

 
Myth - Early neutering causes weight gain.
Fact - Early neutering doesn't cause weight gain. 
 
Myth - Cats should have one litter before being neutered.
Fact - Neutering a cat before they reach sexual maturity doesn't increase the risk of accidental pregnancy. A female cat is at high risk of developing Pyometra, which is life threatening, if she is allowed to have heats without pregnancy.
 
Myth - Neutering a cat is expensive.
Fact - Many organisations and shelters offer low-cost spay/neuter services and most kitten plans, purchased through your vet, offer discounts/free neutering as part of the plan.
 
Myth - Neutering a cat is painful.
Fact - Improved surgical techniques, anaesthetic drugs and equipment have made the risks of anaesthesia and pain management for kittens lower, than in the past.

Our Choice

At our cattery, the health, wellbeing and a smooth transition into their new homes is one of our top priorities for our kittens.

We are firm believers of early neutering, as not only does it prevent unwanted litters and reduce certain health and behavioural issues, but it also allows new families to concentrate on raising their new addition, without having to go through the stress and anxiety of taking their kitten for an operation shortly after bringing them home! For these reasons, we have chosen to neuter our kittens before they go to their new homes.