When should I have my kitten spayed/neutered?

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When should I have my kitten spayed/neutered?

Getting a new kitten comes with a lot of responsibility early on. Most veterinarians recommend that you have your female kitten spayed or male kitten neutered by six-months old.

Aside from eliminating the possibility of reproduction, there are behavioral upsides, too. For example — neutered male kittens tend to roam less, which prevents them from getting lost, injured, or getting into territorial fights with other cats. Let’s take a look at some of the other benefits.
 

Benefits of Spaying a Female Kitten

It’s particularly helpful to have the procedure done on a female kitten before her first heat cycle. Having your kitten fixed can help prevent a lot of future health issues, including:
 
  • Unwanted pregnancy
  • Cancer of the reproductive system
  • Prevents an infected uterus
  • Reduces chance for breast cancer


Benefits of Neutering a Male Kitten

There are several preventive health benefits to neutering a male kitten, like the prevention of testicular cancer later in life. However, there are also several behavioral reasons to have the feline fixed, including:
 
  • Greatly breaks the need to spray or mark with urine
  • The male kitten will no longer be agitated by females
  • Cats will roam less


Spaying and Neutering with Optimum Wellness Plans

The Early Care Plus Wellness Plan for kittens is a great option for new kitten owners, as it includes a spay or neuter surgery in addition to other preventive care necessities like vaccinations, physical exams and more. 


Learn More

If you have additional questions regarding spay or neuter surgery for your kitten, you can always contact your local Banfield Vet Hospital to discuss your options.

Take a closer look at the details of spaying and neutering with these articles: