Is it really necessary to fix a male cat that never goes outside? Will he spray when he matures.?

Question

You know, mark his territory with urine. I don't see why because he never sees another cat and he owns the whole house. I have noticed that female cats, like human females, mature much faster then their male counterparts.

Answer 1

YES! They don't have to see other cats, the scent can travel for miles on the air. An entire tom is a headache to live with, they will yowl to attract a mate and they will spray sooner or later, best not to wait for that but to have them neutered beforehand as once it starts it's hard to stop. Many male cats start out indoors, but once they start to spray, they are shoved outside.

Not only that, when the weather warms up and they want to find a mate, and another and another, it is stressful for them and studies have proven that during this time, their immunity drops so they are more likely to get sick. They also go off their food during this time and that's not healthy for them either. He can get a form of acne from the oils and acid in his urine, that is called stud tail and it can get infected. He can get testicular and prostate cancer, two hormone related cancers which are fed by testosterone and also cysts and infections which are common in entire males.

If he does happen to escape, which is highly likely, and if you have ever seen a male on heat trying to get out, you'll know what I mean, they are like rockets, he is vulnerable to many devastating and some fatal diseases. He will fight, come back with abcesses, he may have HIV or FeLv, remember his immunity will be low and it only takes one deep bite from another infected male. Also the male's penis has barbs and at the end of mating, the female will attack the male, if she is infected with one of the viruses, she can pass it on to him. If he is neutered and accidently slips out, he's not likely to go far from home, so you will be able to find him quickly and easily.

The other thing is, if a female is looking for a mate, she will smell him and hear him calling and she will be yowling outside YOUR window at 3am. She will probably have a hoard of other males following her scent and they will be spraying on your front door! With that, there will be cat fights ALL NIGHT LONG and you won't get any sleep. Your cat will be disturbed by all of the noises as well and he will be growling and crying!

When there are females on heat around, your cat won't want to know about you! Entire male cats are more aggressive and your once placid kitty could then attack you or a member of your family.

Stray animals pose real problems to the community. They can prey on wildlife or farmstock such as chickens, cause vehicular accidents, damage the local fauna and if your cat gets out just once, he will be contributing to this. Then there are healthrisks to children, those with immune disorders and pregnant women. It costs the community a lot of money just attempting to control overpopulation, this money could be better spent on hospitals, free health clinics or roads!

Millions of cats of all ages and breeds are euthanized annually or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unwanted, unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering. Many people don't intend for their cat to get pregnant or for their male cat to escape and mate, but it happens ALL THE TIME.

Although their reasons may seem valid at the time an owner decides not to neuter their pet, almost always they end up regretting their decision sometime later in the pet’s life.

Whilst I understand you have good intentions, it's not always as simple as it might seem. Neutering is the best option for everyone.

Answer 2

If you don't fix him, you might as well burn down your house, because it will be ruined. He WILL spray!!! I repeat he WILL SPRAY.

FIx him NOW, before he begins spraying. Males who spray and THEN are fixed don't ALWAYS stop spraying. BUT if you fix them before they start, they are almost 100% guaranteed to never start.

As for your cat never seeing other cats, you should know that a tom can smell a female in heat for almost a mile radius.

6 months is the optimal age for neutering. If your cat is this age or older than this, call your vet TODAY.

I cannot stress this enough. You WILL have a ruined house, and a cat that will drive you crazy trying to get outside.

Answer 3

At 6 months old. And why... #1- NO UNWANTED, HARD TO PLACE, BABIES THAT IF NOT SPAYED OR NEUTERED WILL MAKE MORE BABIES!!!!ETC. #2- Male cats spray, mark their territory if they are not #3- Male sexual aggression, (and the meow can be unbearable) #4- Less of a chance of wandering, cats will wonder VERY far away from home to find a female in heat #5- No chance of Testicular Cancer #6- Greatly reduces the chance of other cancers

Answer 4

It is very necessary. A male cat will start marking his territory at about 6 months. if he sees another cat outside, he will try to get out and may not come back. Also, a fixed male is much better mannered that an unfixed one. Please, fix your cat. It will cost money now, but will insure years of a happy, healthy, life.

Answer 5

Yes. When a male cat "comes of age" he will begin start spray. Even though he is not around other cats, it is his nature to mark his turf and leave his scent for females. And if there are any stray cats outside in your neighborhood they will be attracted to the scent. So yes even if he will never be outside or around another house cat...PLEASE get him fixed. I have 4 cats, all males, all fixed.

Answer 6

I had a male cat and I didn't neuter him right away. First he began spraying the apartment (P. U.) then one night I guess he heard some female cat outside and he began making this howling noise. It was unbearable! Actually, I had to let him go outside because he was going to drive us all crazy. A few days later he eventually came back home but not without a number of infected scratches on his head and tail. I had to take him to the vet where they stitched up his wounds and neutered him. $450.00 later he was a happy camper. If you love your pet and you want him to be happy, please neuter him.

Answer 7

Honestly, it depends on his personality. People think I'm nuts for saying it but it really depends on if he's more dominant or submissive. He can still spray after getting fixed but doing it before he matures and gets used to doing it will greatly lessen the chances.

Answer 8

Yes it is necessary. Otherwoise when he smells a neighborhood cat in heat, he will try to get out. Also he is going to start spraying if you don't.

Answer 9

He may spray even if neutered.

Can't you let him out? It's cruel to keep cats in permanently. They are very outdoor animals.

Answer 10

There is a good chance that he will spray. Counteract it now and get him neutered. Once they start, neutering might not even stop it.