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Author Topic:   Puberty in Cats
Starry
Member

Posts: 10
From:UK
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-26-2004 05:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Starry     Edit/Delete Message
Hi, I wonder if you can help me?

I have two small male kittens. One is four and a half months and the other is five and a half months. I want to get them both neutered just before they reach puberty as I believe this is about the right time to do it (Although I know this is a sensitive subject so it's not my intention to start a debate.)

My question is, are there any signs I can be looking out for which will tell me when my cats are reaching puberty? I've done a little research on the internet and the only thing I can find is that they normally reach puberty at about six months. Although I have heard others say in it about eight months.

Thanks in advance for any help

Jennie

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MaryNH
Member

Posts: 240
From:Campton, NH USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-26-2004 08:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MaryNH     Edit/Delete Message
my vet doesn't like to neuter or spay until the cat reaches 6 months of age - but there are many many vets who will do the surgery sooner. You could do both kittens anytime now. You don't need to wait till they reach "kitty puberty" to have the neuter surgery done - it's actually better do have it done before their hormones start to surge

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nern

Moderator

Posts: 1591
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 01-26-2004 03:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
I think in general its 6 - 8 months for males to reach sexual maturity but it would depend on the individual cat some may reach it sooner or later than this.
One my males was neutered at 4 months and my other was done at 6 months. At 6 months of age Bean seemed to be really interested in the adult female I had at the time...attempting to mount her, following her around and sniffing her genitals alot.

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footsie
Member

Posts: 123
From:Vancouver, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 01-26-2004 03:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for footsie     Edit/Delete Message
My male kitten was neutered a few months ago at 4 months old. I was told by my vet that they could perform the neutor operation once the testicles had dropped from the body and the vet could feel both of them durring a physical exam.

[This message has been edited by footsie (edited 02-05-2004).]

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empressjulz
Member

Posts: 64
From:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 02:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for empressjulz     Edit/Delete Message
i was told by quite a few vets that a male cat older than four months is ready for neutering, though from my understanding there is another school of thought that would only do it after 6.

i took my cat in at four and a half months. he made a marking on the side of the bed, and i hauled him into the vet immediately to get them snipped off.

i couldn't afford to let him go on for a while more, firstly i live in a studio apartment, secondly, i have another cat. once they start marking, the male cat will get more domineering and try to overpower the other cat, which in my case is a female. he would probably try to mate with her too.

hence, i think sooner is better for cat owners with other cats who are neutered/of the opposite sex.

best consult the vet at the end of the day though.

///ej

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cacey
Member

Posts: 32
From:miami beach, fl usa
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 11:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for cacey     Edit/Delete Message
I would try to wait till at least 8-7 mo.,6at the absolute soonest, ecspecially if they are not marking and since you don't have to worry about pregnancy....being that they are both male. Because I have read that neutering cats to early may be one of the reasons there is such a problem with male cats suffering from urinary problems these days. They say it could be due to them not being devolped enough in that area.....their urethra stopping development to soon from the nuetering.

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Kayliface
Member

Posts: 152
From:Ottawa, Ontario
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 02-01-2004 04:33 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kayliface     Edit/Delete Message
Can I be silly and ask what kind of 'marking' they do?
Is it spraying?

I have a female cat (she's older) .. will my younger, male kitty cause problems as he gets older?!

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fleafly
Member

Posts: 996
From:sheridan, wy
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 02-01-2004 09:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fleafly     Edit/Delete Message
I would get them done now. My female cat got pregnant at 5 months old her brother who was the same age got her pregnant. My point being that some cats mature pretty quick.

I recommend getting them done about 4-6 months old. They heal faster and have less complications when they are younger.

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fridaylove
Member

Posts: 19
From:richmond, va USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 02-05-2004 11:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for fridaylove     Edit/Delete Message
My little kitty boy is getting neutered today. He is 6mos old. The thing that my vet told us was when he gets his grown up fangs and his testicles have dropped out (you can feel them...when you pick the kitty up) then it is the appropriate time for the kitty to be neutered.

It's so sad knowing he's getting surgery today...

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Starry
Member

Posts: 10
From:UK
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-10-2004 05:18 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Starry     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks everyone for your advice. Very much appreciated! My oldest kitten is being neuteured on Thursday when he will be just a couple of days shy of being six months old. I haven't noticed much change in his behaviour that might indicate puberty. He's become very curious about the outside world, but that could just be that he's completely at home in the house now and is ready to explore more territory! (I've had him about two months) I guess as I can't seem to find anything on the net about behavioural changes that there probably aren't many, if any at all.

Thanks again
Jennie

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