Is Neutering Kittens Wrong?

Is neutering young cats and kittens wrong? Well, for many people it may sound like the wrong thing to do. What about the kitten's health and future development? Not to mention that kittens are so adorable and defenseless. Who would do something like this? Well, it may surprise you but some humane societies and shelters are doing what they call "early age neutering". This means spaying and castrating puppies and kittens as early as 6 weeks of age. First, is it safe? Research has found that very young puppies and kittens suffer from no more complication than older dogs and cats underlying neutering at traditional ages. Second, do they have problems with the anesthetics? Young kittens do very well with the anesthetics when giving appropriately. Do they recover okay? The younger pets actually recover earlier. Most kittens will be active and even playing within a few hours after their surgery. Older pets take longer to recover. How does this affect the pet population? It actually affects it in a good way. Many cats adopted from shelters are not neutered, as they should be. Many of these cats go on to reproduce and send more pets to the shelter, many of which are ultimately euthanized. Many organizations are working hard to educate the public about the need for neutering. I recently saw a very creative video by an Alliance for Humane Action. The video is set to the Beatles' song "Help". This is a very funny and educational video. Take a minute - check it out. I think you will enjoy it. To see the video go to: petplace.com/cat-videos.aspx?p=40 Many veterinarians have worried that early neutering would affect a cats growth, future obesity, and overall health. Research has found that most of these concerns are unfounded. The growth, a cat's weight and overall health were very similar in cats neutered early vs. neutered at a traditional age. Until next time, Dr. Jon P.S. - If you did not see the video because you do not know who "The Beatles" are, trust me the music is good and the neutering message is presented in a fun way. To see the video go to: petplace.com/cat-videos.aspx?p=40 P.P.S. It is important to educate people about the importance of neutering. So if you have a cat loving friend, a rescue or shelter volunteer or someone who just got a kitten please pass this video along to them. Please click on the "Send to a Friend" link below.