Like all big decisions, choosing to desex kittens should be considered carefully. Remember, neutering has a number of advantages including a healthier and happier companion.

Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not always best for female cats to have one litter before being spayed. Mammary tumours and womb infections are far more common in cats that have had kittens.

Female cats come into season once every three weeks, eight months of the year. They cry incessantly and will draw a crowd of interested males to your door. It can be traumatic keeping your cat indoors to prevent mating, and even more so if she escapes and produces an unplanned litter which may be difficult to home.

Neutering reduces the aggressive impulses of males by making them more affectionate and content. Unneutered males tend to mark their territory with urine, roam long distances looking for females in season and are more likely to be injured from fighting other toms.

Neutering kittens can also play an important role in controlling feline overpopulation. Sadly, there are simply not enough homes for all cats awaiting adoption, and each year, millions of unwanted kittens and cats are put to sleep.

Kittens left unspayed may have up to three litters each year, with up to six kittens in each litter. In five years, she could have over 200, 000 descendants!

Unless you breed pedigree pets professionally, it is a responsible act of pet ownership to have your kitten desexed.

Some people are reluctant to neuter their kittens because they think it causes weight gain. Neutering does not directly cause cats to gain weight and will not normally affect their activity levels.

Surgical sterilisation, however, can lead to a weight gain because of slight changes in metabolism and because activity levels normally decline with maturity.

If your kitten does gain weight afterwards, simply reduce the amount of her food and increase activity levels. Also, consider switching to a manufactured 'light' diet.

Once you’ve decided to neuter your kitten, consult your vet about the best time to do it. This may be as early as two months, but some may wait until the kitten is six months.

For females, spaying involves the removal of the womb and ovaries. For males, it is the removal of both testicles.

Before the operation, your vet will instruct you on how to prepare your pet, for example, withholding food for a few hours. After the operation, confine your kitten to the house for a few days. Keep her quiet and prevent her from jumping or biting at her stitches. Your vet will discuss post-operative care of the incision, for example, whether the stitches will need to be removed or will dissolve naturally.