When should I neuter my kitten?

QIt’s getting warmer and our kittens are desperate to go out but we don’t want any babies. Can you offer any neutering advice?

EMMA SAYS

ANeutering is essential to prevent unwanted litters. It also can have health benefits by reducing the possibility of certain cancers and preventing pyometra, a life-threatening womb infection in female cats. Most cats are neutered around 4-5 months old, although it does vary from one vet’s practice to another. It also depends on the size of the kittens – if they’re very small it might be best to wait a bit, to reduce any risk from the anaesthetic.

Neutering is a routine procedure, but any operation carries a degree of risk. Your first step is to make an appointment with your vet to check your kittens over. The vet will want to make sure they’re the sex you think they are. It sounds silly, but mistakes do happen! The vet will also weigh them, and check their hearts and overall condition to make sure they’re as healthy as possible before a general anaesthetic.

Neutering in females is known as spaying and involves removing the ovaries and often the womb as well. With males, the procedure is referred to as a castration, and involves removing the testicles. Males don’t need stitches after the operation and can go back to normal activity once the wound has healed. Females often need a couple of check-ups, and sometimes have sutures to remove. Recovery is likely to take around two weeks and you’ll need to keep the kitten rested.