Feline Neutering
Most male animals that are kept for companionship,
work, or food production (horses, dogs, cats, bulls, boars) are neutered
(castrated) unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. This is a
common practice to prevent unacceptable sexual behavior, reduce aggressiveness
and prevent accidental or indiscriminate breeding. The intact male (tomcat) is
likely to roam, fight with other males and spray, and is, of course, strongly
attracted to seek out and mate with intact females. Tomcat urine is particularly
odorous. Overall the intact male cat can make a most unpleasant household
companion.
How does castration affect behavior?
The only behaviors affected by castration are those
under the influence of male hormones (sexually dimorphic behaviors), A cat's
temperament, training, and personality are the result of genetics and
upbringing, and are generally unaffected by the presence or absence of male
hormones. Castration is unlikely to calm an overactive cat or decrease
aggression toward people. Since the male brain is masculinized by the time of
birth, castration will reduce some, but not all of the sexually dimorphic male
behaviors. If performed prior to sexual maturity castration will help to prevent
the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as penile barbs, large
jowls and glands at the dorsal part of the cat's tail.
What is neutering?
The operation of neutering or castration of male cats
is called an orchidectomy. The procedure involves general anesthesia, and an
incision is made over each side of the scrotal sac so that each testicle can be
excised. External sutures are not generally required. In males both testicles
descend prior to birth from inside the abdominal cavity through the inguinal
canal into the scrotal sac. In some cats one or both testicles do not descend
fully into the sac and may either remain in the abdomen or anywhere along the
inguinal canal path to the scrotal sac. These cats are called cryptorchid and a
more extensive surgery will be required to locate the testicles and remove them.
If these testicles are not removed they will continue to produce hormones and
the behavior problems associated with intact male cats, Vasectomies are not
performed in cats, It is both sterilization and removal of the male hormones
that provide the behavioral benefits.
What are the benefits of neutering?
Population control
Millions of cats are destroyed across North America
each year because there are far more cats born than homes available. A single
male cat can father many litters so that neutering of intact males is essential
for population control. Although sexual desire will be greatly reduced by
castration, some experienced males may continue to show sexual interest in
females.
Spraying
The most common behavior problem in cats of all ages is
indoor elimination at locations other than the litter box. A large number of
these cases are cats that spray or mark walls and other vertical household
objects. Adult male cats have an extremely strong urge to mark territory, both
indoors and out. Neutering reduces or eliminates spraying in approximately 85%
of male cats.
Aggression
Cats, whether neutered or intact, can get into fights
but most inter-cat aggression is seen between intact males. This is a direct
result of competition between male cats, and because intact male cats roam and
protect a much larger territory. If these fights lead to punctures that
penetrate the skin abscesses are a common sequel. Neutering reduces fighting and
abscess development in male cats.
Roaming and Sexual Attraction
Intact males have much larger territories and wander
over much greater distances than females and neutered males. The urge to roam
may be particularly strong during mating season. Castration reduces roaming in
approximately 90% of cases. Neutering greatly reduces sexual interest, but some
experienced males may continue to be attracted to, and mate with females.
Physical Changes
Male urine odor is particularly strong and pungent.
Castration leads to a change to a more normal urine odor. Many owners claim that
their intact males become much cleaner, less odorous, and better self-groomers
after neutering. Abscess formation as a result of fighting is far less frequent
and some of the secondary sexual characteristics such as the over-productive
tail glands in the condition known as "stud tail" can be dramatically
improved.
Does neutering lead to any adverse effects on health
or behavior?
There are many misconceptions about the effects of
neutering on health and behavior. Neutered males are no more likely to become
fat or lazy provided they receive a proper diet and adequate exercise. With less
roaming, fighting, mating, calorie intake may have to be reduced and alternative
forms of play and activity provided. Behaviors that have developed independent
of hormonal influences such as hunting are not affected. Regardless of age at
which it is performed, neutering does not have any effect on physical
development (overall height and weight, urethral size). Although neutering prior
to puberty appears to have similar effects to neutering post-puberty, every
attempt should be made to neuter prior to puberty before the cat develops new
problems, experiences and habits.
