Increasingly, veterinary associations are promoting early neutering for cats—meaning fixing them by 5 months of age. The recommendation is based on faster recovery times from surgery, fewer unplanned litters and a host of behavioral and health benefits.
Cats are generally neutered at 6 months of age, which is on the brink of sexual maturity. That narrow margin of error risks unplanned litters. There are other benefits to the 5-month fix as well.
Spaying a cat before her first heat reduces the risk of mammary—or breast—cancer by over 90%. And neutering males before puberty decreases aggression, urine marking and roaming.
In short, fixing cats before sexual maturity reduces many behaviors that drive some owners to abandon their pets. And keeping cats in their homes should be something we can all promote.