The Effect Of Neutering In Cats

Neutering or altering dramatically reduces a cat’s urge to exert territorial rights. Territory becomes confined to an area around the home although this will still be robustly defended by a neutered cat of either sex.

In a neutered, or castrated, male, the means of producing the hormones that fuel sex drive, the testes, are removed. Castration takes place ideally from four months of age.

It is done under general unaesthetic. No stitches are needed, recovery is complete within 24 hours, and there is no discernible traumatic effect on the cat.

Long term, however, the animal’s territorial, sexual and hunting behaviors are modified. A female is neutered or spayed by the removal of her ovaries and uterus, or womb, so that she cannot become pregnant.

She no longer comes on heat or attracts all the local males. The operation is ideally carried out from four to five months of age. Once the cat has removed from the anesthetic, she is usually fine. Long term she may become more friendly and placid.

Desexed animals do tend to convert their food more efficiently, and may be less active. If they start to look plump, some attention to diet may be necessary.

Two neutered or altered Burmese, who have known each other since kitten hood, are happy to share their limited territory of house and garden amicably.

A kitten begins to explore outside, ready to take its place among the local community and hierarchy of cats. A male Burmese goes hunting; it could roam as far as seven miles in search of food and female company if it is neutered. So, ages six months, is keen on keeping close to his mother.

The dominant, unaltered female, however, is not always this complacent, and often asserts her independence. A cat sprays to mark the boundaries of what it considers to be its territory.

If the cat, whether male or female, has been neutered, the smell is unlikely to be obvious to humans. Two cats demonstrate their affection for each other by rubbing their foreheads together. Other signs of friendship may include licking each other or brushing whiskers.