The Advantages of Neutering a Male Cat

To neuter a male cat is to have the cat's ability to procreate removed under anesthesia by a trained veterinarian. In male felines, the act of neutering involves removing the testicles. In the process, the male cat loses his urge to mate in addition to his ability to procreate. There are a number of advantages to having a male cat neutered, especially at a young age before reaching sexual maturity.

  1. Population Control

    • Population control is one of the most obvious advantages of neutering a male cat, as male felines are prolific "procreators." While a female cat will only mate during her heat cycle, a male cat can breed as often or as much as he likes, and a male cat left to his own devices can impregnate a large number of female cats in a short period of time.

    Decreased Roaming

    • It is common for a male cat to roam when female cats in the area are in heat. These cats may escape from the home or disappear for days at a time. This roaming is caused by the cat's interest in mating with eligible females, which is incited by the cat's androgen hormones, including testosterone. Neutering the male cat will decrease the production of these hormones, reducing the cat's need to roam.

    Decreased Aggression

    • Another behavior affected by androgen hormones is aggression. Cats that are in tact can fight aggressively to defend or mark their territories and serious injury can result. These fights can be so serious that infections and abscesses can result from the wounds. Serious territorial battles can result in the loss of ears or tails or serious scarring. This aggression is greatly reduced in male cats that are neutered, especially at an early age.

    Decreased Marking and Spraying

    • Another territorial behavior that male cats exhibit while in tact is the need to mark or spray. This involves leaving an especially pungent type of urine on furniture, flooring and any other surface that the cat is claiming as its territory. Reducing the androgen hormones by neutering the cat can greatly reduce this urge to mark. Because male cats can begin spraying or marking at an early age, early neutering is recommended before the cat is able to reach sexual maturity.