Spay/neuter before 6 months?

[Karen]

Does anyone know if male/female cats tend to be more friendly? My male cat is very snuggly/purry/happy. The female I had who passed away a few months ago wasn't AS friendly. But she'd come to me (usually just me) for snuggles and pats whenever she felt like it, and would leave when she had enough (or sleep at the foot of my bed). I think I want a female, mostly because of all the UTI issues my male has.

It varies cat to cat, and gender doesn't have much to do with it, from what I have observed!

[catmandu]

I had to have Scrappy Two spayed early as she was 6 moths old and was carrying a Kitten Scrappy Three who was stillborn
I have found that you should not wait too long , as if the Male Cats mature before neutering they will spray , Tubster Panther and Miquelito still spray, thankfully the scent is weak!!!
I think that 6 moths is a good time, I will ask my Vet for a professional opinion today.

[Karen]

So I asked this question today for the Ask a Vet radio show. Dr. Kanfer said there is absolutely no evidence in cats of long-term problems from early neutering, male or female. Now if you had a male sheep or goat, studies have shown that the urethra stops growing so THEY can end up with urinary trouble and blockages, so for male sheep and goats he asks people to hold off until they are 4 months old. But for cats, no long-term impact for males OR females, other than the positive outcome of the original point!