This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, and as I can never imagine being without a cat its something I want to know for the future.
What is the best age to get a cat desexed?
I know there have been studies about it, and they say it makes no difference what age it is done, but in my experience that is not the case.
With our cats, those that have been done before sexual maturity tend to stay skinner and more active, and don't need their diet restricting, or be encouraged to exercise. They also don't seem to have quite the same 'wisdom' about them, somehow.
Those which are done after going though a couple of heat cycles, or (in the case of a male) been mating, or even more so if they have had kittens, tend to get fat more easily, and are a bit more lazy; but act in a more mature and sometimes more loving and 'needy' way.
Of course, I am fully for getting it done, and not letting any cat have kittens. (unless you are a responsible breeder, of a recognized breed) The only reason some of our cats were older when it was done was because they were ferals.
But, if I need to make a decision in the future, should one wait till 6 to 8 months to let them mature more, or get it done at say 10 or 12 weeks?
(if one can keep them away for other cats, so one doesn't get any unplanned for kittens)
I quite understand why people like the RSPCA get it done so young, but if one is a fully responsible owner, would it actually be better for the cat to wait that bit longer?
Anyway, I just wanted to know if other people had noticed any differences in their cats done at different ages, and what everyone's opinion is on it.
What is the best age to get a cat desexed?
I know there have been studies about it, and they say it makes no difference what age it is done, but in my experience that is not the case.
With our cats, those that have been done before sexual maturity tend to stay skinner and more active, and don't need their diet restricting, or be encouraged to exercise. They also don't seem to have quite the same 'wisdom' about them, somehow.
Those which are done after going though a couple of heat cycles, or (in the case of a male) been mating, or even more so if they have had kittens, tend to get fat more easily, and are a bit more lazy; but act in a more mature and sometimes more loving and 'needy' way.
Of course, I am fully for getting it done, and not letting any cat have kittens. (unless you are a responsible breeder, of a recognized breed) The only reason some of our cats were older when it was done was because they were ferals.
But, if I need to make a decision in the future, should one wait till 6 to 8 months to let them mature more, or get it done at say 10 or 12 weeks?
(if one can keep them away for other cats, so one doesn't get any unplanned for kittens)
I quite understand why people like the RSPCA get it done so young, but if one is a fully responsible owner, would it actually be better for the cat to wait that bit longer?
Anyway, I just wanted to know if other people had noticed any differences in their cats done at different ages, and what everyone's opinion is on it.
