Why Male Cats Should Be Neutered?
Why Male Cats Should Be Neutered?
Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
Is your male cat/tom becoming angrier by the day and urinating in various places around the house? It might be time to get him neutered.
Neutering is a minor surgical procedure done on male cats to remove their testicles. It is also known as orchidectomy or surgical castration. The procedure normally takes between 30 and 60 minutes to perform.
In this article, I'll explain the advantages of neutering a male cat, why you should do it, and what myths there are about this procedure. Read the entire article to learn more.
What is neutering: Vet Explains
Neutering is a surgical procedure during which the cat is under general anesthesia or is unconscious. The veterinarian will pluck all the hairs from the scrotum because they can lead to infection if not removed. After that two incisions are made on the scrotum exactly over each testicle. Then the testicles are removed one at a time and the incisions are left open.
Typically, incisions are not sutured to prevent infection and drain any fluid that could accumulate after surgery. The entire procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, and cats are often discharged from the hospital after receiving their antibiotic shots and fluid therapy (if required).
What are the advantages of neutering a cat?
The advantages of neutering a cat are listed below:
Testicles produce a hormone called testosterone which increases the aggression of male cats and increases their sexual desire. After neutering, testicles are removed and no testosterone is produced in the body this will make your cat more relaxed and calm. Some cats will also become more social and will want to play with their owners more frequently.
The population of stray cats and unwanted kittens can be minimized by neutering male cats. The constant meowing and sexual urges of your tom will also be greatly reduced. Remember that after neutering, some male cats will exhibit interest in female cats but will be unable to mate with them.
As the urge to mate with female cats will be reduced after neutering, male cats will have no interest in spraying urine around the house to mark their territory.
Male cats will not wander outside the house in search of female cats and will mostly stay in or close to the house after neutering.
Male cats that have been neutered are less likely to get diseases like prostate cancer and other reproductive issues. Additionally, they won't get into as many scuffles with other males reducing the risk of injuries.
Toms that are neutered will spend more time grooming themselves and will have a better overall appearance. Neutering will significantly reduce the ammonia odor that comes from the urine and body of some male cats.
What are myths related to neutering a cat?
Following misconceptions are present among the general public regarding neutering male cats:
Obesity
Males will not get obese due to neutering, however, they will become more focused on their meals so it is up to you to provide them with a balanced diet and regular exercise to control their weight.
Complete elimination of sexual desire
Neutering doesn’t completely eliminate the sexual urge and some male cats can get attracted to female cats even after getting neutered.
References:
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cat-behavior-and-training-cat-neutering-and-behavior | VCA Animal Hospital. (n.d.). Vca. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-behavior-and-training-cat-neutering-and-behavior#:%7E:text=What%20is%20neutering%3F,sutures%20are%20not%20generally%20required.