Effects of Neutering an Older Cat

Neutering is a surgery where the vet removes a male cat's testicles from the scrotum, making the animal incapable of fathering a litter. Neutering is carried out on pets that are not intended for breeding to avoid an accidental litter. According to Max's House Animal Rescue, veterinarians recommend all cats be neutered by the time they turn 8.

  1. Reduced Risk of Disease

    • Cats that are not neutered run the risk of developing reproductive diseases such as testicular cancer. Neutering a cat of any age reduces this risk. Older cats are more prone to reproductive diseases than younger cats, therefore neutering your older cat is beneficial to his health. According to Cats International, the average life expectancy of a neutered cat is twice that of a cat that has not.

    Reduced Marking

    • Marking is one of those natural cat behaviors that is unacceptable in the human world. Like dogs, cats spray urine to mark their territory. Neutering can reduce this behavior in a male cat, even in an older male. Older cats may have developed marking as a habit, but according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, 90 percent of male cats stop marking after a neuter surgery, 80 percent of them ceasing the behavior immediately.

    Reduced Fighting

    • Intact male cats become agitated when they sense a female cat in heat, and this can often lead to fighting with other male cats. Neutering your male cat will reduce the risk of him getting into a fight with another tomcat. Mar Vista Animal Medical Center estimates that 90 percent of male cats are less aggressive post-neuter, and 60 percent reduce the fighting behavior straight away.

    Reduced Roaming

    • Male cats have a natural urge to roam in order to find a mate. Neutering suppresses that urge, making it less likely that your male cat will go missing. According to Mat Vista Animal Medical Center, neutering reduces roaming behavior in 90 percent of cats, and 60 percent of cats stop roaming immediately after neutering. Older cats are no exception; the only difference is that your older male cat might roam out of habit since he has always had this urge. However, the lack of reproductive organs will make it less likely he will stray far and be unable or unwilling to come home.

    Sedation Risk

    • Older cats are at a higher risk when sedated or anesthetized than younger cats. A veterinarian should give your cat a health check before giving him sedation or anesthesia to ensure that he is healthy enough to undergo surgery. If your cat is not healthy, it may not be worth the risk of having an unnecessary surgery.