Kitten is nearly 4 months and the vet wants to spay her now. Isn't that too young? I thought you waited for a first season

Bramble update, for those who followed the not-eating saga. She is now nearly four months, eats like a wolf, and has decided Willow is a climbing frame, which Willow is tolerating in the manner of a duchess.

Had her last vaccination this week and the vet brought up spaying, and wants to book it in the next few weeks. My instinct was that's far too young. When I was growing up everyone said let them have one season first, or wait until six months at least. Is four months actually normal now, or is this a practice that likes to do things early?

She's an indoor kitten for now but I'd like her to go out eventually, garden backs onto fields.

Pixie was done at about four and a half months, same reasoning from our vet. She was back to tearing round the house within two days, which was harder to manage than the operation. They give you a cone or a little body suit.

two_tabbies said:

let them have one season first

My mum said exactly this when we got the kitten and I believed it until I asked our vet. Apparently it's an old idea with nothing behind it for cats. And cats can come into season really young, ours was booked at four months partly because the vet said some females can get pregnant before six months. With fields behind you and the local toms about, I'd want it done before she ever goes out.

Same here, both of ours were done around four months. The thing nobody told me: they need a lot less food afterwards, and that's how we ended up with the 5.6kg Millie saga in the other thread. Ask the vet to weigh her and check her portions at the post-op check.

Right, so it's my information that's out of date, not the vet that's in a hurry. I did read the spaying and neutering guide on here last night and it says the same, from about four months. Booked for the 16th.

Done. Dropped her off at 8, collected at 3, groggy and furious for an evening, back to terrorising Willow by the next lunchtime. Wearing a little stripy suit over the wound which makes her look like a tiny burglar. Check-up booked for ten days. Noted on the portions Millie, I'll ask.