Insurance prior to neutering?

greensalad

I'm in the process of adopting a cat and he'll be with me tomorrow.

He has had his kitten jabs but needs boosters soon, worming next week and hasn't yet been neutered.

I'm looking into insurance but they are asking if he's been neutered/wormed etc. He hasn't and that pushes the insurance price up. But he'll be neutered next week...

Is it worth waiting to get insurance until I can tick off all these items as complete? I don't imagine that going back to the insurer once he's been fixed will reduce the cost I've already paid for him as an un-neutered pet.

SensibleSarah

Congrats!
If it was me I'd be waiting until neutering. He won't be going outdoors between now and then so chances of him getting himself into trouble are small (but not non-existent - it's a calculated risk). You can sort the worming yourself fairly easily (don't buy from supermarket, buy something like Drontal online) but I've certainly never had to mention worming on an insurance quote.
Are you getting him microchipped at the same time as neutering? Some insurers ask about this.

greensalad

Yes microchipping was another question on the insurance list. I will be getting him chipped though I haven't discussed it with the vet yet. It's free as part of the healthy pet club I've signed him up for. First check-up is on Tuesday evening (I think the last slot of the day) so I do wonder if it can be done there and then... I'm assuming all cat related regular procedures/jabs/etc are common enough that practices are stocked up in advance? I've had cats before but never been in charge of the vet visit and such. If not I will request to have him chipped same time as neutering which I hope to get done in the next week or two as I don't want him to be shut up too long (he's currently going outdoors with his owner so he's going to hate me locking him in).

GwylimT

He will be fertile for six to eight weeks after neutering, ideally he shouldn't be going out until about a year old.

If his outdoor visits aren't supervised I would consider a FIV test if his testes have dropped.

Any photos of the cutie?

greensalad

When I popped into the vets to make the appointment (just for checkup) she suggested he could go out a few weeks after the neutering but that he probably wouldn't venture very far. I'm always out in the garden if the weather is good so I planned to just let him out supervised. He could of course jump the fences (though they are all 6ft and he's only little, but I'm sure he could find a way!) I'll ask about FIV testing.

I'll try to get some pictures of him but he's all black, so quite tough!

Fluffyqueen34

I have just insured my kitten with pet plan ,she is too young to be neutered,but the price is the same.

GwylimT

Fluffyqueen34 wrote: »

I have just insured my kitten with pet plan ,she is too young to be neutered,but the price is the same.

If kitty is old enough to be away from mum, shes old enough to be neutered.

purple12

I insured my cat (now 1.5 years old) when he was about 15 weeks and before he was neutered/had microchip - which was asked on the insurance form. At the annual renewal, I called them and told the insurance company, he'd been neutered/microchipped/had all vaccinations etc and they updated the records but it didn't change the cost of the insurance (which i thought it would!). It might be something they factor in for kittens...

KxMx

Chipping is easier to do while being neutered, as some cats say "no way" while awake but others will tolerate it.

Yes Vets will have everything in stock

Fluffyqueen34

Kitty is 11weeks, old enough leave mum.Vet will neuter her at six months.She is the most gorgeous happy furbaby.

greensalad

Thanks everybody. Kitty is now home with us! Ah he's so adorable and good, not at all nervous. I had planned to leave him in the room I've set up for him and let him come out of the carrier on his own terms in the quiet. But as soon as I opened the door he was out of the carrier and wanting cuddles. So we sat for about an hour with him in the tiny little bedroom while he climbed all over us wanting cuddles. He's not particularly playful (not interested in the toy mice I bought him) but just wants to be stroked all the time, and climb on you. OH let him out of his bedroom this morning so I got woken up by a kitten licking my face and enjoying exploring the bed (anything he can climb on he enjoys).

I've got him booked in for a check-up Tuesday morning and have asked if it's possible to have him microchipped then (as the vets has a 30% off deal on if I book before 30th) but they said we'll have to see if he's healthy enough and if the vet recommends it. I was half-hoping they might let me have it done at the same time as neutering but still give me the discount on account of missing it by a matter of days... don't know unless you ask!

Either way I think I will wait as the vets offers 4 weeks free with Pet Plan so I can get him signed up just in case for home-related accidents, and then get him properly insured after he's been neutered so no need to "embellish" the forms.