Kitten Neutering

Whether your cat has recently had kittens or you are thinking about adopting a kitten yourself, you need to consider kitten neutering. Neutering is a veterinary procedure that is performed on male kittens and it is highly recommended by veterinarians and by humane organizations.

  1. Function

    • Neutering is a surgical procedure that is intended to keep a male kitten from being able to sire kittens. It also reduces the amount of testosterone that ends up the kitten's body and will have a marked effect on the a male cat's habits and temperament

    Procedure

    • Neutering is one of the most simple veterinary procedures routinely performed. The kitten is kept away from food overnight and then is given a simple anesthesia. The scrotum of the cat is opened and the testicles are pulled out of the body. A small suture may be used to tie the cords of the testicles together, after which the testicles are cut free, or the cords may simply be tied together. The skin incision in the scrotum is small enough that no stitches are required.

    Benefits

    • There are several benefits to neutering male kittens. In the first place, it will result in less unplanned kittens that will need homes. It also will prevent your male cat from wandering away from home in search of females and it also will eliminate the chance of your male cat spraying to mark his territory. Male kittens that have been neutered often have a calmer temperament than unaltered kittens and are not inclined to fight.

    Time Frame

    • Cats can be neutered at any point in their lives, but most domestic male kittens are neutered between the ages of 4 to 8 months, with 6 months being the most common. Kittens do need to weigh at least 3 lbs. before they are neutered.

    Misconceptions

    • Several misconceptions are associated with kitten neutering. One common misconception is that kittens that are neutered early will be small or unhealthy. This is untrue, but it is worth noting that cats that are neutered young will not develop the heavier shoulders and ruff that are associated with tom cats because of the lack of testosterone. Another common misconception is that early neutering will result in a narrowed urethra that leads to feline urinary tract disease. No information bears this out.