If you want to adopt a male cat but don't fancy raising a load of kittens, the wisest thing to do will be to neuter it at the right time. This will save you from a host of problems, and your beloved cat will lead a pleasant and happy life. Moreover, neutering your cat will bring numerous health and behavior benefits.
The best age to neuter a male cat depends on the circumstances; there is no particular, universal time. Keep reading this AnimalWised article to discover when should you neuter a male cat under various circumstances to make sure you do it at the best time.
Under what circumstances should you neuter a cat?
To put it simply, you should always neuter a male cat. When they are young, tomcats are more affectionate than females. However, when they feel nature's call during adulthood, cohabitation at home will become more difficult.
They will start to mark your home with their urine and try to escape at any opportunity, not hesitating to jump blindly into the unknown when they hear the call of a cat in heat. For this reason, they will also fight with other male cats. The best case scenario is that your cat returns from these little escapes with fleas, ticks or other parasites.
When is the best time to neuter a cat?
Some time ago, it was usually advised to neuter male cats once they reached 9 months of age. But nowadays the tendency is to do it after only 4 or 5 months. Much will depend on whether there is an un-spayed female cat at home.
The breed of your cat will also be crucial in determining when to perform the procedure. Your vet will advise you on the best time for the intervention after taking this information into account.
Neutering adult cats
If you adopt an adult cat, it's advisable to have it castrated straight away. Doing so will help you avoid a range of problems for you and your recently welcomed cat.
A newly-adopted cat will get lost more easily if it leaves the house in search of a cat in heat, since it won't be familiar with its surroundings.
Do you want to adopt a female kitten?
If you've got an un-neutered adult tomcat and you want to adopt a female kitten, it will be necessary to get the tomcat neutered beforehand.
A non-neutered adult male cat can be brutal with a younger female cat, even when they're not in heat. He can cause much damage when trying to force himself upon her. Female adults know how to properly defend themselves against harassment, but younger cats do not.
Do you want to adopt a male kitten?
If you have an un-neutered male cat at home and you want to adopt another male kitten, it's advisable to get the adult castrated as soon as possible.
Besides the jealousy that it may feel for the new arrival, the older male will feel impelled to profusely mark its territory all over your home so that the newcomer is left with a very clear understanding of the hierarchy.
Do you want to adopt another male adult cat?
In this case it will be essential for both cats to be neutered before they're put together, unless you fancy being on the news after having to change all your furniture, lights and valuable objects from your shelves as a result of a brutal war held between both cats.
Putting two un-neutered, adult male cats together in a limited space is a foolish idea. It's plausible on a farm, but not in a flat.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
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