What to Expect When You Neuter a Cat
Neutering refers to the surgical procedure of desexing a male cat by taking out its testes. A similar procedure, called spaying, is also done in female cats wherein the ovaries are removed. This article will focus on the castration of the male cat.
Why should you neuter a cat? The common reason is population control. Cats can reproduce fast and easily. They become sexually mature at an early age – from five to 12 months old. If left uncontrolled, they can give birth to litter after litter of kittens. Veterinarians recommend neutering a cat at an early age to prevent multiple pregnancies.
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Another reason people neuter a cat is to minimize the smell of urine spray. When male cats become sexually mature, they exhibit territorial marking by spraying urine. This behavior is meant to inform other cats that the areas where he sprays urine is his territory. It also sends out the message that he is sexually receptive. However, as the male cat grows older, the smell of his urine becomes distinctively pungent and unpleasant. According to studies, neutering will lessen the bad odor of the cat’s urine. In some cases, the neutered cat stops urine spraying altogether.
What happens when you neuter a cat? First, their sexual attraction to the female cat is reduced within 6 to 12 months after going through the procedure. There is also a reported decrease – up to 60% – in incidences of aggression among male cats. There have also been reports that cases of roaming, or leaving the home, had dropped 90% after the cats were neutered.
Neutering also has some health benefits to the cat. It makes the cat less susceptible to certain diseases like perianal adenoma, or having tumors in the rectum, and perineal hernia. It also makes the cat less susceptible to feline leukemia virus (FLV), which can be transmitted through the urine and can be easily passed on in roaming cats.
Some people wonder if weight gain will result when they neuter a cat. This may happen because neutering slows down the cat’s metabolism and boosts his appetite. If you don’t watch what your cat is eating, he may gain weight after castration. To avoid too much weight gain, feed your cat less carbohydrates and more protein, and make sure he gets his daily exercise.
However, this weight gain is not caused by changes in temperament. This means that when your cat was playful before the surgery, he will continue to be playful after the surgery. Neutering does not alter your cat’s temperament.
What else should you expect when your cat is neutered? The surgical procedure lasts for about 20 minutes only, but you may need to leave your cat at the vet for at least a day. Before the doctor can neuter the cat, it should have fasted from food the night before. For example, if your appointment with the vet is 9 a.m., your cat should have abstained from food starting from 8 p.m. of the previous day. It doesn’t cost much to have your cat neutered, and you can expect to pay $50 to $60 or even less.