Top Pros of Neutering Your Male Cat: What You Should Know

One of the key routine veterinary procedures is neutering, which applies to cats as well; that is, removing the reproductive organs of a cat to ensure that it will never reproduce. Not only does this stop unwanted litters from being born, but it will also inhibit hormones that provoke a male cat to act like it's in mating condition.

Why Neuter My Male Cat?

Cat overpopulation is a crisis today, and every single day it leads to the cruel killing or malign neglect of many healthy cats and kittens. Neutering is an effective remedy for such a problem. Besides controlling the cat population, neutering brings about several behavioural and health benefits for your pet.

Pros of Neutering Cat

• Reduced Fighting and Injuries: Neutering your male cat greatly reduces aggression. An intact male is more likely to fight with other cats, which poses great risks of serious injury and the propagation of diseases.
• Eliminates 'Tom Cat' Odor: The pungent odour that male cats give off as they spray is removed after neutering.
• Breeding Stock Quality: Neutering allows the regulation of the breeding pool, hence reducing the number of kittens born with hereditary diseases as well as those inheriting poor temperaments.
• Reduced Hostility: With reduced testosterone levels, a neutered male cat will not fight another feline as often.
• Less Spraying: Another reason many male cats spray is to mark their territory. Neutering works to reduce this behaviour, which is especially very useful when your cat spends the majority of his time indoors.
• Reduced Roaming: Neutered kittens will not roam long distances in search of a mate. This reduces the chances of being involved in traffic accidents or getting lost.
• Prevention of Unwanted Litters: You'll surely feel relieved when you neuter your kitten to prevent your contribution to overpopulation that leads to many stray or abandoned cats.

Best Age to Neuter Male Kitten

Wondering when a male cat can be neutered? A male kitten should be neutered at six months of age. Ideally, it is the age when they start reaching maturity sexually. However, the procedure can be done at any age afterwards. Neutering prior to one year of age is sure to reap the full behavioural benefits because older cats may have already learned certain habits such as spraying and fighting. These learned behaviours might be harder to change after the first year of life.

Male Cat Behaviour Before Neutering

Before neutering, male cats may exhibit hormone-related behaviours like aggression, persistent roaming, and spraying of territories to mark them. A cat exhibits these habits because of their instinct to find a mate and mark territories. After neutering, these behaviours are greatly reduced or completed, that is, the cat is friendly and laid-back.

What Happens During the Spaying Procedure?

Neutering is very simple. It's always done under general anaesthesia. The veterinarian will make some small cuts on the scrotal sacs, after which he removes the testicles. The procedure actually doesn't take much more than a few minutes, and most cats are never out of anaesthesia for more than 15 minutes. You can usually take your cat home the same day after a short observation time at the clinic.

Cost of Neutering

The cost to neuter the male cat runs between £40 and £80 in the clinic, again dependent on location. But that cost should be set against the long-term pros of neutering a cat, such as fewer health-related problems and a more calm, healthy cat.

Connection Between Neutering and Weight Gain

You might often notice that post-neutering, your cat gains a few pounds. Feline furries gaining some extra weight might look cute apparently, however, sometimes it might be a matter of concern. To avoid any confusion, here is what you need to know about neutering and weight gain in cats. Since neutering removes the male reproductive parts of the cat’s body, it causes significant hormonal changes. Reproductive hormones like testosterone also play a role in body metabolism regulation. Since that is disrupted by neutering, the cats gain weight. Cats have an increased appetite after neutering which might end up in weight gain.

Feeding Your Neutered Male Cat

After neutering, it is essential to change your cat's diet to maintain a healthy weight. After the neutering of male cats, they have a slightly lower energy requirement, and they will gain weight if not closely monitored. A high-quality diet reduced in calorie contents, specially designed for neutered cats, can be prescribed. Find diets with higher protein content and containing L-carnitine. It reduces the body weight of cats.

Recommended Diet Options for Neutered Cats:

Royal Canin Neutered Young Male Adult:

• It has different flavours that can increase palatability.
• It is rich in proteins so that the pet does not overeat.
• It is made to be a complete diet for young neutered males.
• For multi-cat households.
• To feed kittens at six months of age and beyond.

Hill's Science Plan Young Adult Sterilised:

• Includes a unique Weight Management Formula (WMF) to aid in fat-burning and muscle-building.
• Controlled mineral levels support urinary health.
• Made with highly digestible ingredients for optimal nutrient absorption.
• High-quality ingredients that cats will enjoy.

Hill's Science Plan Perfect Weight:

• Scientifically formulated to help kitties stay at their healthy weight.
• Specifically designed for effective weight loss.
• Prebiotic fibres help achieve the highest absorption of nutrients and gentle digestion.
• No artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives are added.

PURINA PRO PLAN Sterilised Adult Cat Dry Food with Optisenses:

• Salmon flavour drives appetite in cats.
• High in protein and lower in fat to build appetite and cap off extra pounds.
• Well-balanced minerals to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
• Kibbles specially designed for healthy teeth with minimal plaque.

Responsible Breeding

If you are not spaying your cat and you do want to breed, then you would like to be a responsible breeder. Ensure that the kittens go to good homes and that their mother has been tested for FeLV and FIV. Irresponsible or uncontrolled breeding only makes the animal overpopulation worse and forces more cats into misery and hardships. Neutering also comes with a fair share of risk for the cats, including chances of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It also leads to arthritis and can sometimes even shorten the lifespan of the cats.

Neutering your male cat gives you many benefits, from improvements in the behavioural side to control the cat population. By doing so, you help your kitty remain fit and healthy and contribute to lessening unwanted cats in society. So consult your veterinarian about when the best time is to neuter your male kitten and start setting them up for a healthier and happier life.