Is it necessary to neuter a male cat?

[orientale67]

I have a baby male cat, do I have to neuter him?I know males mark their territory by peeing.So will that stop this behaviour ?But then isn't he going to get fat?(sorry for the broken English.

[PuppyandGonzo]

I copied this from a website and thought it might help you.



Neutering is an elective surgery (it's not necessary for your cat's health). If it isn't necessary, why neuter your cat then? Neutering reduces the odds of your cat getting certain health problems and it also keeps the cat population down.

Male cats can be neutered between about 8 and 10 months of age: after they've reached sexual maturity. If a male isn't neutered, he will mark his territory by spraying urine all over the house. If he senses a female in heat nearby, he will run around the house, howling and keeping the other members of the household up. Finally, if he is an outside cat, he is bound to get into vicious fights over available females.

Female cats can be spayed between about 6 and 12 months of age: after their first heat. If a female isn't spayed, when she reaches those times (twice a year) when she is ready to have kittens (in heat), she will wail at all hours for a week or more. Nothing will stop this. If she is let near a male cat during that time (even a brother of hers), she'll give you a litter of kittens.

Don't worry about your cat feeling pain; the veterinarian will give your cat some anesthesia.

[Karen]

PuppyandGonzo,

Thanks for posting that info. Could you provide a link to the website you got it from? Thanks!

I also found this answer
"Does Spay & Neuter = Fat & Lazy?" : http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1364&articleid=1101

[PuppyandGonzo]

http://library.thinkquest.org/17687/neuter.html

[pukka]

One of the important reasons to neuter your male cat is to stop them from going into
heat. A cat in heat will screem and will make a lot of loud noise when there is a female
cat in the vicinity.This can be a big problem when you live in an apartment.

[Scarlet13]

My sister's cat isn't neutred and in his old age it has been a huge problem, he can't be around ANY other cats, Male, female, fixed unfixed. He is very sexually aggressive. He sprays EVERYTHING, even the coffeemaker! And that smell never comes out. My cats are both fixed and healthy, just make sure you measure their food intake, wet food is better because they feel fuller, if the cat is not very active choose a low calorie version that will maintain a healthy weight. Another good reason to get him fixed, it is possible he will get loose and impregnant another cat. This world doesn't need anymore unwanted kittens.