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Expert: - 8/17/2008


Question
I have 2 sibling kittens,1 of each.my question is when should I start to watch out for signs of them getting "too friendly"I want to get them fixed at 6 months.right now they are about 12-13 weeks old and I don't want them to have kittens of their own.i thank you for your help.

Answer
Tamen,

Thank you so much for planning to save lives by spaying and neutering your feline family members. My recommendation would be to have these guys spayed/neutered as early as your vet is willing to do so. I have seen some cats become "a little too friendly" as young as 4-5 months of age which is simply a bad situation because the female cat is then left to try and cope with her own growth as well as meeting the substantial demand on her system to support the growth and development of a litter. Each vet has their preference for what size of kitten he is prepared to neuter some will do this surgery as young as eight weeks of age while others prefer to wait until at least 4-5 months of age. When your kittens become sexually mature depends on their genetic make up, the rate that they grow and put on weight at and what time of year they were born in. Your vet can provide a more thorough explanation of the factors involved. If you notice that your female kitten is much friendly and vocal than usual coupled with rolling on the floor and sitting with her tush in the air while she paddles her back legs then she is most likely in heat which means that she would be receptive to mating. If your male cat mounts your female cat by grabbing her scruff and climbing aboard and looks like he is having sex then he most likely is having sex....In my opinion the earlier that you can safely have your kittens spayed and neutered the better because as you said, you're not particularly keen on raising a litter...I hope that you have found this information helpful. If you have any further questions, concerns, or you would simply like to send an update or some pictures my way, please don't hesitate to contact me again.

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Ali

Expertise

I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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