Do Male Cats Get More Affectionate After Neutering?

Male cats become more affectionate after neutering, according to a survey of 100 practicing small animal veterinarians conducted by veterinarian Bruce Fogle. Neutered male cats even tend to show a little more affection than spayed female cats. Neutering a male cat also has other beneficial behavioral side effects, including a reduction in aggression, urine marking and roaming.

  1. Neutering

    • Male cats are routinely neutered to control populations. The procedure is called a oophorectomy or castration whereby the testicles are removed. A vasectomy, which preserves the testicles, is also an option for population control. However, since the testicles produce the male hormone testosterone, vasectomies do not remove the unwanted characteristics or conditions caused by the production of testosterone.

    Aggression

    • The veterinarians surveyed by Fogle noted that neutered male cats give more affection than intact males. Consistent with other research, this survey also noted neutering reduces aggression in male cats. The testosterone produced in the testicles of a male cat is directly linked to aggression.

    Roaming

    • Intact males sense female cats in heat through the pheromones, chemical attractants, they produce which travel by air. These males tend to roam in search of the females. Neutering male cats reduces this roaming behavior.

    Other Behavioral Changes

    • Neutered male cats tolerate handling better, are more playful and demand more attention than intact males.