when do they reach sexual maturity?

I was not sure which section to post this in, so if this is the wrong one I am sorry.
When do cats (both male and female) reach sexual maturity?
Raven will be 6 months towards the end of January and Jack towards the middle of March.
I plan on getting them both fixed. I called the 2 vets we have here to get quotes on their rates so that I can save up for it and it was WAY more expensive than I was expecting, so I need to save enough to have it done. And since it is Christmas I have to wait until after Christmas to start saving.
I really want to make sure to get it done on time though, when does a female cat usually have her first heat and when is a male cat sexually mature?

Raven is 17 weeks this week and Jack is 8 weeks this week.
Thank you for the help.

AND- there are NOT other vet options here, or low cost spay/neuters available to me.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I've heard of females becoming pregnant as young as 4-5 months old. Males can also become mature around 4 months or so as well.

Yes, but I believe that they don't really go into heat until February or so, as the longer daylight stimulates it. You can get them spayed after they go into heat, the mother of my kittens was in heat whe she got spayed - we had to leave it until her breasts were gone and she was a real pain! She's a stray and an indoor / outdoor cat and I asked the vet if we should keep her in until it was done and they said it didn't matter, as they would be taking everything out. But we decided it was a good idea to keep her in anyhow, as she'd not get into fights etc. She was extremely unhappy about it...

Not related to your question, per say, but, have you checked with any shelters in your area? Here, ours will do low-cost spay/neuter depending on your income level.

Art

You are correct and the fact that you have two of the opposite sex living under the same roof could make things happen sooner. I would normally say to focus on getting the female done first bc the once the male matures (and u might not know it either) he can get females pregnant for up to a month after being neutered. But since there is such an age difference, if you get them done together it should be fine. I would start saving now, even if it is just a tine bit at a time, after Christmas won't be too long to wait, esp for the 8 week old. You do what you can right? I mean, if they are going on 5 months then I would start to separate them.

I know a Siamese breeder that allowed her little innocent 5 month old male to run with a few females...playing. Well one of the females came up pregnant and she was not put in with a stud! The little innocent 5 month old was a daddy cat at 7 months old!

So until they are spayed and neutered, don't leave them alone. Males and females can breed at 4-5 months old (and females don't need to be in heat to get pregnant). Also males will get an unspayed female pregnant within 30 days of being neutered.

I'd have her done ASAP and then schedule him to be done right after she heals.

My Kandie went into heat at 14 weeks ...

typically 4-8 months

Originally Posted by tsorcus

Yes, but I believe that they don't really go into heat until February or so, as the longer daylight stimulates it.

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Indoor cats will cycle year round, they are in a more constant temperature than outdoor cats. As already said they can call as young as 4 months.

Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

I know a Siamese breeder that allowed her little innocent 5 month old male to run with a few females...playing. Well one of the females came up pregnant and she was not put in with a stud! The little innocent 5 month old was a daddy cat at 7 months old!

So until they are spayed and neutered, don't leave them alone. Males and females can breed at 4-5 months old (and females don't need to be in heat to get pregnant). Also males will get an unspayed female pregnant within 30 days of being neutered.

I'd have her done ASAP and then schedule him to be done right after she heals.

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On a Dutch forum someone had a tiny 4 month old Siamese kitten that got pregnant by her male cat (she knew the male was sexually mature !).

Well, I agree with everyone here. I'm not sure that it is hugely important that you get them both done a.s.a.p, but I would definetly get Raven done soon after Christmas. Save what you can now AND after Christmas.

You can wait a bit longer to have Jack doen then, as Raven can't be impregnated. You can save some more cash during the spring for him.

I think one at a time is better for you in any case - less stress.

I had my two done at once, as they're siblings and they really comforted each other at the vets, who let them snuggle in their carrier together as soon as they woke up. Oscar didn't get much attention and sympathy as he was so much less affected by it, but I don't think I was any more stressed by it... They won't spay / neuter before six months in Ireland, so they were both seven months old by the time I got it done (they both got sick in time for their first appointment...)