Are there any downs to neutering a cat?

Answer 1

Neutering your cat is an excellent thing to do. However, you asked for possible down-sides, so I'll give you the list -- It's short!

1) Your cat may be more prone to obesity, especially if it's an older cat when it's neutered.
2) Your cat may have a bit less energy after it has been neutered. This is typically considered good, because it means it's less likely to run out in the street or something and get hurt!
3) There's a very, VERY slight chance of a problem with the operation, or infection afterward. Just be sure to keep him/her inside as long as the vet recommends.

Answer 2

Somewhat. He will still be "hyper" though, at least for a time. It is a good idea that he be neutered though. Your problem with his energy is just plain and simple kitten energy. All kittens are like this - it's very normal. As he grows he will begin to settle down. By the time he reaches 10 mos - 1 yr, you will probably notice some difference. Again, he will calm down as he ages. Right now, try to se the world through his eyes and enjoy it. Don't see it as annoying. He is curious about everything and is full of zest for life and playing is how he expresses his joy. Kittens can be FUN!

Answer 3

Most neutering procedures cost about $30-$40, if you don't have much money then that would be the ONLY downside. They're temperment doesn't change, most people say that it does, but most cats always calm down after reaching their first bday. I'm sure you've already heard the upsides, like no spraying, ew, and living long which is in fact very true, some weight gain but it's really not something to worry about, I think it may also be because they've reached maturity, who doesn't gain weight when they're older? My mother's cat wasn't neutering until he was about 8 months, due to that he had chosen his 'partner' to be a stuffed doll, when she did neuter him she couldn't rid him of the habit of taking my stuffed animals and finding a hiding place so the sooner the better lol

Answer 4

Some cats (males in particular) will gain weight more easily and may even become obese after neurtering or spaying, so the cats food intake must be monitored and altered according to activity level. Cats that have a belly pouch (not sure of the actual term for it) seem to be more prone to this because they "gorge". The belly pouch is a genetic carryover from cats in the wild--wild cats hunt for days and weeks, sometimes without eating much of anything, depending on game availablility. When they do make a kill, they gorge, eating well past satisfaction while the game is still edible and before is has been eaten by other animals. This belly pouch (loose skin which hangs down lower than the rest of the stomach and chest, just in front of the rear legs) is reserve space for a full gut. The instinct for gorging shows up in some cats after altering--mostly males, who in the wild have food brought to them and are the first to eat, while females are usually the hunters and eat what is left after the males and cubs. Other than that, altering is HIGHLY beneficial for the animal. It curbs the urges to roam, fight, or spray, and because it elimates sexual tension, the animal lives much longer and healthier. Unspayed/unneutered domestic animals in general (not just cats) can often be cross and aggressive or depressed and neurotic.

Answer 5

No. The cat does not care whether it has kittens or not. There are already more cats than homes, and you don't want to add to the population of kittens that won't find homes and will be strays or put to sleep. You would not believe how they reproduce if not neutered -- a cat can have multiple litters of 5 kittens, that means 25, 30, 35 kittens in just a few years. You just do not need for your female cat to be pregnant all the time. Male cats that are not neutered are more likely to prowl, fight, get injured, get killed, etc. Male cats that are not neutered spray urine, which is really obnoxious and impossible to live with; some people just abandon perfectly good cats because they don't know to neuter the half-grown kitten to stop it spraying. Neutered male cats get along with each other fine, instead of fighting. It's an exaggeration to say that they get lazy; they are still frisky and playful, but just aren't as aggressive and looking for a fight. They won't get fat if you keep an eye on their weight; if they start getting too fat, put them on low-calorie catfood (It exists and is available at the supermarket, pet supply store or vet.)

Answer 6

No downs to neutering a cat. I will help to keep unwanted litters from being born.

Answer 7

I have a female cat. I had her spayed with no regrets. If I had a male cat I would have him neutered. He would stay closer to home because he wouldn't have the urge to go "tom cating" around the neighborhood for the love of a female cat. There are more advantages then disadvantages in neutering your male cat.

Answer 8

I suppose you might miss the ruckus at night from yowling breeders. I'm sure your friends will be dissapointed that they won't be getting the kittens that they've been begging for. Being the center of your cat's attention is bound to get old, And how will you know you have come home to the right house if there is no reek of eau'der Tomme. Why would any sane person put themselves or their cat through something like this?

Answer 9

No, not really any negitives I can think of.

It will alter their appearence if you neuter them before they hit puberty. Male tom cats grow "shields" around their faces to protect them from bites and to make them look more dominant.

Some owners like the look of this.

However if the cat is neutered before he has hit puberty he will forever have a more slender face and body, more kitten like in appearence.

They should as a rule be neutered before puberty, its easier on them and also if you wait too long they may begin displaying bad habits like spraying or agression and neutering won't always correct that once they have learned it.

Answer 10

I don't think so. I've always neutered my cats, and they seem to be more loving, and have less of a tendancy to run away.