What will happen if I don't neuter my cat? And what exactly do they do to them?

Question

I'm scared to get the cat neutered, I equate this with castration and I'm scared. I don't really want to have it done but the vet keeps telling me that he wont spray if I get it done, I don't believe that. He's my baby and I don't want to have to get surgery unless he really needs it. I'm torn what should I do?

Answer 1

If he's your baby, you should have him neutered. It's better for his health and temperment. It IS castration. But cats who are fixed run a lower risk of developing cancers related to the reproductive organs. Male cats are less likely to develop prostate cancer.

And why wouldn't you believe your vet? He is a trained professional, he knows what he's talking about. It's true some cats don't stop spraying after being neutered, but with training, you can eventually get them out of the habit.

It sounds to me like you care for your cat....but it doesn't sound like you've been doing any reading up on what's best for him. Try reading this; http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/why_you_should_spay_or_neuter_your_pet.html

And ???? is wrong. There ARE cat vasectomy procedures (where they cut and tie off the vas deferens), but these are often more expensive and more complicated. Not to mention they can reverse themselves. And it does nothing for your cat's temeperment since the hormones are still coursing through his body.

Answer 2

Neutering removes the testes which removes the ability to produce sperm and also most of the male hormone, testosterone. Without testosterone, a male cat doesn't usually have the desire to mate and since roaming in male cats is usually in search of a mate, that usually stops a cat from roaming. But all cats are different, and a cat may still want to go outside. He is unlikely to want to travel far in search of a female though, and less likely to fight with other males. As to cats in rescues - they end up there for a variety of reasons. Some are strays, but a lot are pet cats that their owners no longer want. Sometimes it's for genuine reasons (eg emigration, moving to a smaller home where pets are not allowed etc) but often people just dont' want the pet any more or can't be bothered to deal with behavioural problems.

Answer 3

Well, it is castration, but it's a minor operation and he really needs it.

If you don't have him neutered he'll be miserable most of his life because he won't have the mates he'll crave. (And if he does, you'll be responsibile for adding to the population of unwanted kittens that get euthanized or die miserable deaths in the wild.)

His need for mates will make him likely to roam extensively and fight a lot, leading to unnecessary exposure to danger and disease.

If that's not enough to make you want to neuter him, consider that if you don't, he'll drive you nuts with hormone-driven behavior like compulsive spraying, constant yowling to be let out, and a generally aggressive and difficult disposition. (There are few critters more ornery than an intact young tomcat. Think of a rabid wolverine...)

On the other hand, if you neuter him you get the flip side of all that: a cat with a tolerable and hopefully loving disposition, one that's much less likely to roam, fight and spray, and much more likely to live a long and healthy life.

Answer 4

The very best reason I can give you on why you should neuter your cat is:
1) He wont want to roam as much to find females.
2) He will less likely to get hit by a car. 80% of cats that are hit by cars are un-neutered.
3) He wont get testicular cancer.
4) Less fights with other males
5) The surgery itself only takes 5 minutes and is done with a sedative.
6) In most cases the cat doesn't even need stitches
7) You are keeping the cat population down.

This is the right thing for your cat.

Answer 5

Male and female cats that have been neutered/spayed, live longer, are happier, make much better pets, are more affectionate, fight less, prowl less, don't howl or make crazy noises in search of a female, etc, etc.
If you care about him, you will continue to become educated on this subject, and do what is best for him....i.e. neuter him.
If you care about cats in general, you will neuter him because hundreds of thousands, no exaduration, of cats are euthinized in our country every year because there are no homes for them. They are living on the streets, sick, miserable and starving. The life span of a feral cat is 2 years, and those 2 years are full of suffering and starvation.
Anyone having an unaltered male cat that ever leaves your indoors, makes that pet owner responsible for thousands of those deaths every year. These are hard, proven facts, so just another reason for you to look hard at your decision to neuter or not.

Answer 6

Trust me, do it. We have 4 cats living in our home.

Cats are not very friendly once they get their adult hormones. They start crying, meowing, trying to leave the home. Unless you are content with your cat prowling the neighbourhood knocking up other cats, I would do it.. because if he doesn't get to do that then he will NOT be happy. He will certainly spray everywhere, which is like having a little bathroom trip all over the place including your bed, sofa, anywhere and everywhere. However, as mentioned before, the horrible non-stop meowing will become the worst part. If you don't do it soon it will take much longer for those adult habits to diminish once you do it... I recommend you do it ASAP for both you and your cat's happiness.

Answer 7

Girlfriend I know exactly how you feel! All my cats were my babies and I did not neuter or spay them for the world. There are however consequences especially for keeping an unneutered male cat. Examples: Spraying, Scratching, Running away in search of a mate! I learned how to deal with these problems. If you have any questions email me at [e-mail]

Answer 8

Have him neutered. He won't know the difference, and it should help with the spraying. Neutered cats usually calm down, too, and get really lovable. I have 3 neutered males, and they don't get in fights anymore, they are just nice kitties.

Answer 9

When a cat is neutered it is castrated. It is done under anestesia and does not hurt the cat. It is healthiuer for them to be neutered.
They do not spry if they are neutered. Ifyou do not neuter him he will spray and fight and most likely end up with Feline Lukemia or FIV from fighting with other cats. He can also get testicular cancer and an enlagred prostate.
Get him neuterd for his health.

Answer 10

Its not like castration, I have seen fixed animals still get their grove on many a times. This won't change him mentally, it usually does keep them from being too teritorial and marking in the house. All they do is cut and soder or tie the inside parts that control seamen. I'm sure if you ask your vet them will give you a detaild description of what they do in the surgery. It's a simple surgery, I wouldn't worry too much. You and your cat will be happier if you do it. You won't have to live with a spraying cat and he wont' have to live with the stress of wanting to constantly mark his territory. I hope this helps you make up your mind.