When should I get Dexter neutered?

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Hi there.

Dexter is now 5 months old and very healthy.

I've had two health checks with our vets. On the first it was suggested we get him neutered around 5 months but the other vet we saw a couple of weeks ago suggested we wait until 6 months.

I don't mind waiting at all but I'm just a bit worried that he will start spraying everywhere and I guess we wanted to get this done before that happened.

Does anyone know when he will likely to start spraying or any other signs we should look out for plus recommendations on the best age to have him neutered. He is starting to jump on the back end of our other cat but I think this is still play and doesn't particularly look like mounting behaviour.

The vet who suggested waiting until he was 6 months told me he would then have time to 'grow into himself'. I know there's a lot of contention about whether having cats neutered stunts their growth and wondered when you had your own cats done?

Many thanks.

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Hi Debbie

We got our two at about 14 weeks old and they'd already been neutered by the breeder - I don't think she wanted to take any chances of anyone breeding from them.

I can see no indication that their growth has been stunted - when Hendrix was weighed a couple of weeks ago he was 5.6kg (just over 12lbs) and if anything at one stage I was concerned at quite how big they were going to get. They are over a year old now and I'm not convinced they've stopped growing yet.

Never had any issue to date with spraying - hopefully they don't know how to!

Hope this helps in your decision!

Tabitha · **Joined:** Sun Feb 02, 2014 8:11 pm **Posts:** 1196

Just copied this from the PDSA website for you:

Should I get my male cat neutered (castrated)?
Yes. Castrating your cat prevents him from fathering unwanted kittens when he’s away from your house. It also makes him less likely to fight, so reduces his chances of getting feline AIDS (FIV) (which is spread by bites).

Castration also makes your cat less likely to roam, which can reduce his chances of getting hit by a car, and he is less likely to spray urine in the house.

When is the best time to get my male cat neutered (castrated)?

The operation should usually be done at four months of age (but can safely be done when your cat is younger or older). Kittens can get pregnant from four months of age and many people do not realise that brothers and sisters will produce kittens if they live together unneutered. If kittens are neutered later than four months, some will have an unwanted litter – this is contributing to a cat population crisis in the UK.

Kittens have traditionally been neutered at six months of age, but veterinary guidance has changed to reflect latest evidence and neutering at four months is now recommended. Ask your vet when the best time is for your cat. For help finding a vet practice that neuters kittens at four months in your area visit this website www.cats.org.uk.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Thanks Clare that's really kind of you to dig out that information for me.

Dexter won't be going outdoors. Been there and done that before with my two Burmese and never again lol! they got themselves into heaps of mischief!

I can see that the guidance of getting them neutered at an earlier age is to do with them breeding so that won't be an issue here. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on him for any spraying and whip him to the vets if he does.

Donna741 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:03 pm **Posts:** 1048

We got Diesel at 5 months old and had him neutered 2 weeks later. We went ahead and did it right away to make sure he didn't start spraying.

MissSarah · **Joined:** Thu Jul 17, 2014 2:57 am **Posts:** 36

Not my Bengal, but my Exotic Shorthair - when I got him at 14 weeks he was already neutered. I know he's a different breed, but it didn't stop him from growing into a big boy!

Kyenta1 · **Posted:** Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:18 am

Quasar was neutered at 11 weeks. Our local shelters all neuter by 4 months.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Many thanks.

I'm going to see the vet again tomorrow and see what she thinks or at least get something booked in.

Many thanks.

junglerose · **Posted:** Fri Oct 10, 2014 11:05 am

Neutering before puberty tends to increase the size of the cat, not decrease it.

Many vets in the UK see 6 months as the optimal age for neutering.

Eggman · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:22 pm **Posts:** 730

Elaine, yes that's what the vet said 6 months.

I don't mind waiting as it makes no difference to me really I just thought it odd that one vet said 4-5 months and the other vet said 6 months.

They both work for the same practice so was sort of expecting to get the same advice.

When should I get Dexter neutered?

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