TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Spaying a cat
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Spaying a cat

post #1 of 12
3/3/08 at 8:58am
Thread Starter 
I wasn't quite sure where to put this. At what age do you get a cat fixed? I didn't think our kitty was old enough but she is starting to go into heat.
Reply
post #2 of 12
3/3/08 at 9:12am
You can get them spayed as soon as they are over two pounds. Generally about 3 months, give or take. Some vets refuse to spay until 5-6 months though.

They can go into heat as early as 4 months, although typically it is around the 6 month mark, give or take.

How old is your girl?
Reply
post #3 of 12
3/3/08 at 9:12am
Speak with your vet ... many will perform the procedure provided your cat is of a certain minimum weight. But, just like cats, vets are individuals, so you may have to call around to see who can do it. Also, get pricing because I found a lot of differences in what local vets are charging. Additionally, there might be a low-cost spay/neuter clinic in your area, check with the shelters and rescues to see who they would recommend.
Reply
post #4 of 12
3/3/08 at 9:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelicat View Post
You can get them spayed as soon as they are over two pounds. Generally about 3 months, give or take. Some vets refuse to spay until 5-6 months though.

They can go into heat as early as 4 months, although typically it is around the 6 month mark, give or take.

How old is your girl?
Hmmm, she must be around 5 months or so, I'm not sure exactly.
Reply
post #5 of 12
3/3/08 at 10:02am
IMO its best to get them done around 3-4 months old. Shelters get them done at about 8 weeks if they weigh at least 2 lbs.

Ling was not done till she was 5-6 months old cause she came into heat when we were to schedule her. So I waited for another month.

Charlie was neutered by his breeder at 3 or 3 1/2 months old.
Reply
post #6 of 12
3/3/08 at 10:48am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45 View Post
IMO its best to get them done around 3-4 months old. Shelters get them done at about 8 weeks if they weigh at least 2 lbs.

Ling was not done till she was 5-6 months old cause she came into heat when we were to schedule her. So I waited for another month.

Charlie was neutered by his breeder at 3 or 3 1/2 months old.
So, do you have to wait until they aren't in heat any more to be able to have it done?
Reply
post #7 of 12
3/3/08 at 10:57am
Some vets will do it even in heat, you have to ask and see what they say. I had a former girl spayed in heat, she was just coming out of it but the vet was willing to do the operation.

My current cats were all done at 10 weeks by the breeder
Reply
post #8 of 12
3/3/08 at 10:58am
It might be better to wait until she is no longer in heat. Many vets ~will~ spay while in heat, but the health risks are a bit higher and there may be an additional cost associated.

If the heat symptoms are driving you crazy you might want to offer your little girl a nice, cool, dimly-lit room to stay in while she is "indisposed". This solution offers you a little more peace and quiet and effectively places at least two closed doors between your girl and the hazards of the great outdoors.
Reply
post #9 of 12
3/3/08 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Hmmm, interesting. Maybe we will wait. How long does a cat stay in heat?
Reply
post #10 of 12
3/3/08 at 11:01am
Some last a few days and then wait weeks before another cycle. Others cycle almost continuously, with only a day or two in between.
Reply
post #11 of 12
3/3/08 at 11:04am
Depends on the cat, really, but somewhere between 3 to 7 days I would think is normal. If this is your girl's first cycle, it might be a little shorter or longer than normal.

The purpose of putting her in a cool, dimly-lit room is to mimic an inhospitable hormonal environment for estrus to occur. Cats are photo- and temperature-sensitive when it comes to estrus and respond to the longer, warmer days of Spring by coming into heat. If you mimic the longer, cooler days of winter, you can potentially reduce the severity of the symptoms and in some cats, even stop the estrus cycle.
Reply
post #12 of 12
3/4/08 at 9:56am
Personally it was no problem waiting till she was out of heat. It was more like a "kitten" heat cause it only lasted 2-3 days, but the vet was booked up.

There was no fear of Ling getting outside by accident, so I waited.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Care & Grooming
TheCatSite.com › Forums › Our Feline Companions › Care & Grooming › Spaying a cat