Have you heard the term “early neuter” and wondered what it means? Do you question whether it’s a good idea for your cat? Early neutering traditionally meant having surgery to prevent reproduction in male or female pets before six months of age. More veterinarians are performing neuters earlier for several reasons, including being sure to have the surgery before the first heat, having fewer surgical complications and quicker recoveries. The first heat can be at or before four months in cats, and does not occur at an exact age in any animal.

The veterinary community now widely accepts “early neuter” to mean “pediatric neuter.” This implies having the surgery at six to eight weeks of age, with the animal weighing at least two pounds¹. Pediatric neuter has become the best way to deal with overpopulation in shelters. Concerns veterinarians used to have, such as anesthetic and surgical risk, are now minor, thanks to safer anesthetic drugs and more available information regarding pediatric surgery.

The decision whether to have your cat neutered is a complicated one that opens up another discussion. This article addresses only pediatric vs. regular age at neutering. There are a few negatives associated with pediatric neuter. The main three are:

Decreased Metabolic Rate in Neutered Cats

This can be prevented with proper diet and a controlled feeding regimen. Also be sure your cat is getting exercise. Many indoor cats do not get enough exercise, so consider playing with your cat using toys or teaching your cat to fetch.

Hypoglycemia During Surgery

This can be prevented by withholding food only four hours before surgery, and feeding patients immediately when standing post-operatively.

To continue reading, please visit CatHealth.com