Just like human medicine, veterinary medicine has its share of controversies regarding treatment, procedures, and other issues. And for many years, there has been much discussion regarding when to spay and neuter our pets.

Fortunately, we now have a considerable amount of research data to help us make a better decision of when to spay and neuter. Understand that far more research has been done in dogs than in cats. To access the largest study, see the link at the bottom of the page.

To be clear, I am fully aware that each situation has a different set of circumstances, such as the choice for pet adoption groups to spay/neuter at a young age prior to adoption to ensure that adopted dogs will not be used for breeding purposes. A pet owner acquiring both a male and female puppy or kitten simultaneously raises concerns of accidental pregnancies, aggression, and a tendency to roam. My intention is to provide the information we have now and let owners decide for themselves when to spay-neuter their pets based on their particular circumstances. Below are the current recommendations, with supporting reasons.

Male Cats - 4-6 months of age to neuter (before reaching sexual maturity)

Female Cats - 4-6 months of age to spay (before reaching sexual maturity)