Part of being a responsible pet owner is having your animals desexed. While cats can (and do) breed all year round, conditions are better for breeding when it’s warm. This means many unwanted kittens will arrive at shelters and pounds across Australia between September and next April.

So, when to desex your cat? Kitten desexing is a surgical procedure that can be done from an early age (four months) and is a quick operation to perform. By having your cat desexed, you’ll help to relieve the pressure on shelters and pounds everywhere. The RSPCA alone receives more than 125,000 animals every year. Many of these unwanted animals come to us because of unplanned breeding.

When to desex your cat, what you need to know

  • Cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age
  • There is absolutely no benefit in letting your cat have a litter before getting them desexed.
  • It is usually much cheaper to register your pets with your local council once they are desexed.
  • Desexing is a one-off cost and is much cheaper than looking after a mother and her litter.
  • If you can’t desex your pets for any reason, make sure you keep males and females separate.

Did you know that desexed animals:

  • Generally live longer and healthier lives
  • Have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancers, infections and other health problems
  • Less likely to be aggressive
  • Maybe more affectionate and calm companions
  • Less likely to roam and wander, meaning they’re not as likely to end up in fights with other animals or be hit by cars.

Talk to your vet today about when to desex your cat!

This article was first seen in RSPCA NSW’s Animania publication Issue 32 page 16.