What Is The Best Age To Spay Or Neuter A Cat?

Spaying or neutering is a surgical procedure that a cat undergoes to prevent unwanted cat pregnancy and control its population. Having a cat "fixed" can help avoid undesirable behaviors and help reduce the risk of other serious health issues. If you have decided on your cat not to have any kittens then this will be the best decision for your cat to undergo.

What is the difference between spaying and neutering?

Spaying or ovariohysterectomy is surgically removing the female cat's ovaries while neutering or castration is surgically removing the male cat's testicles. If the female cat is spayed, she will not be able to get pregnant or have kittens while neutered male cats will unable to mate and father kittens. What is the best age to spay or neuter a cat?

Your vet has the best recommendation and would be able to tell if it's the best time for your cat to get fixed. Each cat is unique, and your vet will be the one to approve if your pet can be spayed or neutered since your vet is the one that will perform the procedure.

But as of the general rule, it is typically recommended for your cat to get fixed at least 4-6 months of its age.

Cats reach their sexual maturity at their 5th month but some have their cats spayed/neutered as early as 3-4 months. Most animal shelters practice early spaying/neutering and they do it with almost all of the cats without them experiencing any adverse health effects and that proves a lot that it is safe.

In 2016, the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization found out that there is no risk or long-term complications from the sterilization of juvenile cats. The results provided more benefits in spaying/neutering cats younger that are younger than 5 months.

What are the benefits of early spay/neuter?

Conclusion

The best age to spay or neuter a cat is before or after it reaches 5 months of age and for cats in shelters could be as early as 8 weeks. Studies show no medical risks to delaying spaying/neutering of cats past 5 months of age, and it shows more health benefits for cats at any age.

Talk to your vet and have your cat checked before deciding to go with the procedure so that it could properly access if your cat is ready to undergo the procedure and that you will have ample time to prepare for its aftercare.