When to neuter cats and dogs - Answered by Dr. Van Lienden
 

My Abyssinian Coco is 4 months old. I want to get him neutered but I have been hearing conflicting information about when to do it. My best friend has Coco's brother and his vet told him that he has to wait till he is 6 months old to do it, another friend of mine was told the same thing when she had her cat fixed also. My vet told me that I could have him neutered right now with no problem. Does anyone have any info about this?

You could certainly have him neutered now,with no problems, if you wish. You could also wait until he's 6 months. It's really up to you!:)

Hi there,
just wanted to say, my young Birman cat was neutered
at 8 weeks of age. He had no problems at all, and has yet
to develop any nasty male cat habits...like spraying!
Hopefully he wont...hes about a year and a half now.
I know many many vets are opting to spay/neuter now
between 8-16 weeks of age.
I think you would be fine to get your guy neutered now.

I always wait until my patients are six months.

It is possible to neuter as young as 6-8 weeks. However the reason many veterinarians wait is that older neonates are able to handle anesthetics better than very young neonates.

Since this is an elective procedure, why not wait until it is safer to do the surgery? This gives the heart/circulatory system/kidneys/liver a chance to mature and metabolize drugs quicker and easier.

Dr. Van Lienden

Dr. Raymond Van Lienden DVM
The Animal Clinic of Clifton
12702 Chapel Road, Clifton
Virginia, U.S.A. 20124
703-802-0490