Question on Fixing Brother and Sister Kittens

[MommyHuggs&Heavynn]

Need some help here:
My Kittens are from the same litter, Boy and Girl, both turned 3 months today. When should i start thinking about Fixing them? Also what signs do i look for in them? I dont want to be at work one day when all the sudden they are in heat. HELP!

[Traci]

Providing they are in excellent health and appropriate weight, you can get them altered at any time now. (your vet may have a policy, some vets won't spay/neuter until six months of age, but most will alter earlier). I also always recommend a pre-surgical blood screen prior to spay/neuters.

As for what to watch for....with your male, spraying and marking behavior, and promiscuous behavior with the female. As for the female, she could be approaching her first heat cycle any time now, the signs may be mild or extreme, each cat is different. Some are very promiscuous, very vocal, very affectionate...others don't exhibit any unusual behavior at all.

[MommyHuggs&Heavynn]

Traci- Thank you for your fast response..
I was shocked to find out recently that Brother and Sister would mate. I had no idea. But these are where my questions stem from.
Does the female have to reach a certain weight before she goes into heat? My little one is still very tiny, not close to 3 pounds yet i don't believe. Also, My little boy has been extra active and fiesty lately. Not promiscuous but more aggressive in fighting with his sister. Would this be a sign possibly? Also, because they are so young still, I am worried about "hurting" them. Because they look up to me as their mommy, will they think it's my fault - or I was the one who didnt protect them from getting hurt? I know this may sound stupid, but when i look in their eyes, it looks like so much goes through their heads. Please let me know! Thanks!!

[Traci]

The heat cycle is a natural part of the development stage, weight doesn't have anything to do with it. Kittens can go into heat as early as 3 months of age, some don't until around 4 months or so, each is an individual.

Your male kitten could be developing a somewhat agressive behavior pattern to your female because he is bigger, stronger, and knows he can overtake her, in which I would try to discourage the behavior at once. Neutering might also calm him down somewhat (it won't change his personality)

No, cats don't equate spay/neuter with emotion toward their humans. Their personalities won't be affected by it, and they won't dislike you for having done so (maybe for a day after a hospital stay, but that's pretty much the extent of it). Please see our Spay & Neuter page for more information on the importance of spay/neuter and common myths, etc.

[MommyHuggs&Heavynn]

To follow up, Shortly i will be making an appointment with my vet to get both fixed. (they seem so young-3 mths) but I don't want to take any chances. For the past few days I have noticed my baby boy Huggs being arouseD? When i pet him, he purrs and his claws go in and out, which is his normal behavior. However, Down below i noticed that he was "popped out" -if you know what I mean. Full fledged totally out there. I am wondering if this is a sign of something-possibly that He is more than ready to be fixed. He has been acting the same around his sister though, no signs of interest "that way". I'm just concerned about his being "aroused" when i pet him. Please give any insight to this!

[Traci]

Try not to be alarmed, it's natural behavior at this point. That's not the only thing that could occur when he gets excited. Bonding and attention, etc can also do that amoung other things (one of my males for example, will drool all over).

The behavior in question when he is with you, however, should subside when he is neutered.

[MommyHuggs&Heavynn]

Drool all over...Oh My! that could be messy! Well I continue petting him, and I hope this isn't encouraging the behavior....although your saying it's natural right now. I'm just keeping a look out for all the possible signs so I dont take any chances with having both brother and sister..you know? Thank you!