Answers at Dogster Answers.

Thu, Nov 26th 2009, 13:07 GMT

I recently read in a breeders' manual (written by a vet) that females can get pregnant once they've gone through their first heat, usually at around 5-6 months, although long-haired breeds can take longer to experience their first heat (Leila was over a year old). I don't know if the following is true or not, but the book also said that males may reach sexual maturity (including mounting, marking, etc.) at about the same age, but are unable to actually impregnate a female until they are about a year old. I'd never heard this before, but I'm going to ask my breeder friends if it's true. As for mounting activity, it can take place between desexed cats and even two males. The difference is that the penis is not inserted. In any event, it appears that earlier neutering/spaying is not harmful, so better safe than sorry.

ANSWERED BY

Leila

Wed, Nov 18th 2009, 03:53 GMT

My vet advise to nueter males between 3-4 months of age and spay females between 5-6 months. As the others have said it is hard to tell when a kitten will have it's first heat.

ANSWERED BY Guest 872598

Fri, Nov 13th 2009, 14:11 GMT

The other poster is right, cats can mature at 5 months old. I had my male neutered at 4 months. He was about 4 pounds. Vets will neuter a kitten as early as 3 lbs if the testicles have dropped. Check with your vet.

ANSWERED BY

Simba

Fri, Nov 13th 2009, 06:31 GMT

You never know when they will go into their first heat. It should be when she's around 5 months old but like humans, cats mature at their own pace. If he is 5 months old, I would schedule his neuter surgery as soon as your Vet feels it is safe. My Vet recommends 5 months or 5 pounds. Get him taken care of before he has the urge to mount or to spray.

ANSWERED BY

Allie