neutering - before or after first show

The vet that TC goes to (apparently also Luna's vet as well - Luna still goes to the other vet because of the contract) neuters around 4-5 months of age according to their kitten plan brochure. If I go according to plan, he'll be ready for his neuter on or after 6/27.

However, I have plans to take him to a TICA show in Raleigh on July 11-12. I'm thinking since there is such a small window between when he is ready and the cat show, I should wait until after the cat show. Since many of you show cats on a regular basis, how do you decide when to neuter and how do you factor that in with the show season?

Edit: His next show will be Labor Day weekend in Orlando.

He is only 2 1/2 months. TICA only requires neutering by 8 months (of course I'm not waiting that long in case puberty hits early). For example, your cat's breeder was shown a HHP calico male kitten fertile that I was told was going to be used in breeding (I guess to test out his genetics) and then neutered before bring him back into the circuit. Before he hit 8 months, he was able to compete in the HHP kitten class and is one of the best HHP kittens internationally. (Unrelated to my original question, but I wonder what he has in mind ).

I've never been to a CFA, but that makes me like TICA more. I don't care more to be around an elitist attitude (not referring to you of course !). I have enough of that at work. I go to cat shows to have fun and I've heard of TICA people mention CFA shows. So far no bad mouthing since apparently they show in both. Also, I like the attitude TICA has towards HHPs.


Edit: No offense meant to those here that show in CFA. I'm sure like everywhere else that there's plenty of good and bad people that show in all associations. I think I'm just partial to TICA.

There are vets over here that if you ring will say 5-6 months, but if you specifically ask for early altering they will do it - you need to ask the vet not the secretary. Just something you might like to look into.

14 days is plenty of time for him to heal, boys heal up much faster so you could still do it before the show.

You guys should try ACFA - IMO we are friendlier then either association

But the basic rules are in all 3 associations - HHP's must be spayed/neutered if they are 8 months or older. You can neuter earlier. It used to be for pedigree kittens they could not be altered before 8 months (going into championship). With the early spay and neuter, it was changed that purebred kittens could be neutered and still shown as a kitten - then go in the alter classes.

Not many are done; Jackie was the only neutered kitten in the kitten class this past weekend. I've seen a few done, but its not normal.

Not really - just no one that is interested in starting an ACFA club out there. Same in our area regarding TICA - there are no TICA clubs (there was a new one that apparently will be starting - they had a show in February in Minneapolis).

I do not like TICA for a few reasons, so even if they had shows around, I would not put my cat in the shows.

Originally Posted by mews2much


Your kitten is very pretty.
I did not know your cat was that young.
I better learn more about TICA before I show Cleo in it.
CFA is different they must be altered by 4 months.

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Well, a couple of things here...

Agreed that the kitten is very good looking

And no, show rules states that an adult (which means 8 months or more) HHP cat must be neutered. There is no such rule that states a HHP cat between the ages of 4 months to 7 months needs be neutered.

No comments about the rest of the post!

I will tell the person who told me that they are wrong.
Sorry for the mistake.

Originally Posted by mews2much

I will tell the person who told me that they are wrong.
Sorry for the mistake.

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you shouldn't feel bad

we always learn something here

Thanks
I would love to see pictures of your kitten when you show him.

Originally Posted by mews2much

Thanks
I would love to see pictures of your kitten when you show him.

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of course


sometimes the baby can be too playful. Just as I was reading your post, he was busy pissing off Luna. Luna has her special growl for when she's had enough.

Kittens can be like that.
Cleo gets that way and makes the other cats mad sometimes.
Do your cats play a lot?
Cleo and my Russian Blue mix love to wrestle.
Here is picture from teh cat show.
You see cat 151 the Chocolate Point Siamese.
He smacked Cleo through the cage and was screaming.
She hissed at the judge becuse she was mad at that cat
He was born 2 days before Cleo.
The cat next to the Siamse is a Somali.
I would love to see pictures of the Sphynx and Russian Blues from the show you are going to.

I'll be sure to take some pics next time of those cats. The show will be in less than two months. I hope my kitten does as well as Nial's trio.