What Age Do Kittens Have To Be To Get Fixed
There is some debate about when cats should be fixed.
What age do kittens have to be to get fixed. Kittens as young as 8 weeks old can be spayed or neutered although some veterinarians recommend the procedure be performed between 4 and 6 months of age according to the cat care clinic. To avoid behavioral changes or issues from developing it s best to get your kitty fixed prior to puberty. Finally waiting until after the first heat somewhere between eight to twelve months of age he says. Most breeders and legitimate pet stores will only offer kittens for sale as young at 8 weeks with some waiting until 12 weeks of age.
This is usually when they are around 8 weeks old. As a vet who has done thousands of spays and neuters i still perform them at five months of age. The pets are a good size the owners have already trained and accepted them and the anesthesia and surgery are usually safe says dr. Some municipalities specify that kitties must be spayed by 4 months of age while others require it by 6 months of age according to the american veterinary medical association.
Learn what to do when you find kittens outdoors. Generally when they are between 8 12 weeks. Kittens need to weigh at least 2 pounds before surgery according to web md. Learn more about kittens and their needs as they grow in our kitten guide.
Females are fixed at 2 to 3 pounds. Before you do anything remember never separate kittens from their mother cat. If their mother returns leave them be. Recovery for kittens is usually minimal your boy may not realize he s missing anything and he s home from surgery the same day.
If you don t see her monitor the kittens from a distance for a few hours. Some experts suggest getting a kitten spayed or neutered when the cat is as young as two months old. Wait until your kitten is several months old. It is ideal to spay the kitten before five or six months of age as female kittens can become sexually mature between the ages of six and nine months although some mature as early as four months.