Dominant Behavior in a Male Cat After Neutering

Neutering a male cat will help your cat live longer, as well as prevent unwanted pregnancies, but your feline's basic personality is unlikely to change as a result of the procedure. The veterinary school at University of California, Davis, says that neutered cats typically don't lose hunting skills, playfulness or excitement levels. Likewise, neutering probably won't tame your cat's aggressiveness, but it will tamper its territorial instincts, decreasing the urge to fight with other cats.

  1. Benefits

    • Un-neutered cats have a tendency to spray, leaving a foul smell as they mark their territory. The strong odor is difficult to remove from upholstery and carpet. Castration of males usually stops the behavior. In fact, neutering a male cat before puberty (generally before six months) should prevent the emergence of all mating behavior, including marking territory and roaming. If allowed outside, an un-neutered male cat will roam the neighborhood, mating with females and fighting over territory with other males. Such behavior often leads to injury or death, as the cat comes in contact with other animals, people and vehicles.

    Misconceptions

    • Some people falsely believe that male cats become lazy and gain weight after being neutered, though it's true that decreased roaming activities could mean the cat isn't getting as much exercise as it did before the procedure. You can control a cat's weight gain by closely monitoring its food portions.
      Also, according to UC Davis, a neutered cat can still impregnate a female up to 49 days after the procedure.

    Considerations

    • A male cat that has been neutered may actually show more affection toward humans than its unaltered counterparts, according to a study cited by UC Davis. The study also reported that 25 percent of cat owners felt their animals became more "docile" following the surgery, though vets say the castration procedure will not change basic personality traits such as playfulness and activity level.

    Cost

    • Fees for neutering a male cat can vary from veterinarian to veterinarian, but if cost is a hurdle, many communities and organizations offer low- or no-cost spay and neuter clinics. It's in the public interest to control feral cat populations, so many cities choose to offer spaying and neutering services so that animal control clinics don't become overwhelmed with unwanted kittens. To find a clinic, call your closest animal control or humane society office.

    Time Frame

    • The castration procedure is the surgical removal of a male cat's testicles. The procedure usually takes minutes, but many vets prefer to watch a cat overnight for observation. Most cats are back to their normal selves within a few days and behavioral traits linked to puberty--roaming, spraying--will soon decrease.