Neutering is a surgical procedure wherein a male animal is rendered incapable of fathering young. It is a common procedure among pet cats, and learning more about it is essential if you are considering adopting a kitten or an older cat. Neutering has many benefits that a pet owner should be aware of.
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Significance
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Neutering is one of the simplest and most straightforward procedures performed in veterinary medicine. The veterinarian opens the scrotum of the cat with a small incision so that the testicles can be taken out of the body. The cords of the testicles are tied off and the testicles are removed. The cat can be released to his owner the same day as the procedure.
Benefits
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Neutering prevents a male cat from siring kittens. This is the main purpose of the process, but there are many beneficial features to the process as well. A neutered male cat will be less aggressive, less inclined to roam while seeking female cats and less likely to mark his territory with sprays of urine. He also will not develop testicular cancer.
Time Frame
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Kittens can get neutered when they are two months old. Ideally, to make sure that a young male cat does not develop the behaviors associated with intact males (spraying, roaming, aggression), neutering is performed before a cat is six months old. Male cats can be neutered at any point, and there are no health problems associated with neutering late in life.
Considerations
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A neutered male will require fewer calories to maintain its body weight than a male cat that is intact. Speak with your veterinarian to plan a reduced-fat diet that will be most beneficial for your cat.
Misconceptions
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Contrary to popular belief, a neutered male kitten will not become a small or stunted cat. Due to the lack of testosterone, they will not develop the broad shoulders and muscular appearance of an intact adult male, but they will not be particularly undersized.
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