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Stan
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« on: February 22, 2012, 04:53:16 PM » |
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My cat's nearly two years old and I was thinking about getting him neutered. Are there any downsides I should be thinking about? I was kinda leaving him alone at first, and then he had a partial hip removal thing so I put it off further, but he is quite aggressive with other cats. Not that he attacks them or anything (that I know of!).
Thoughts?
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Constitutionary
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« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2012, 04:55:39 PM » |
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Yes, cats are over populated in this country and they can reproduce as soon as 9 months from when they are born.
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All4truth
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« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2012, 05:06:15 PM » |
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With surgery there is always a potential for problems. But for the most cases it turns out ok. If you don't neuter him he may start spraying, which is not very nice and it stinks. Some cats don't spray but some do. Neutering helps to stop this. Also there are way to many cats, and most end up in the pounds and get put down.  |
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Stan
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« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2012, 08:43:24 PM » |
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Yeah, I didn't want him producing kittens that might not find a home but it was mostly his well-being I was concerned with. Spraying is an issue also but I think he knows not to leak bodily fluids at my place (my mum seemed concerned though!). I posted a vaccine thread when I first got him but didn't expect much opposition on the neutering issue. Thanks for chiming in.  |
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MonkeyPuppet
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« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2012, 10:08:27 PM » |
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My eldest pussy, Keiko, was 4 years old before he started spraying. It happened rather all the sudden, so don't rule it out as a potential problem.
Take your buddy to your vet... hopefully one with whom you have developed a respectful and informative relationship. The surgery is completely safe, and if you're paranoid, many are using lasers these days which practically removes all opportunity for problems.
Things to keep in mind...
1. He will probably never spray after his alteration. Be mindful of stressful events like moving, introducing other animals to his environment, and the way your visitors treat him.
2. He's probably too young, but his attitude may change over a few months after his alteration. If you think he's a close friendly kitty now, you'll probably notice that he gets even more attached to you... so long as you let him. Two years old is a tough call on this aspect of alteration. His tomcat-ness may not have even set in yet.
3. You will need to monitor his diet closely from here on out. His metabolism will slow down considerably, so feed him only the best quality grain-free foods (like Evo or Blue Buffalo). If you don't monitor his food intake, you're going to end up with a fat cat. While this is usually not an issue, excess weight can cause other problems for them later in life... arthritis, heart problems and kidney problems.
First and foremost, though... talk to your vet!
Good luck.
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greber
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« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2012, 10:42:02 PM » |
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Here is a nice friendly place to ask questions and find true pet lovers. Also good forum to learn about good food for your pets. Been reading there many years. http://itchmoforums.com/ |
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sentinelscout
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« Reply #6 on: February 23, 2012, 01:27:21 AM » |
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What? Why? just leave the door open and let the poor thing have his fun.
Thats just horrible.
When I had a cat, i had the window open , used to just run in and out do his thing and come back... my neighborhood has a few strays running around but nothing bad and they are rather fun to observe running around/surviving.
Cats are resourceful creatures they don't really need people its more of just a cushy relationship for lazy cats IMO, I don't have a cat anymore (gave them away).
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Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies.
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MonkeyPuppet
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« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2012, 01:29:55 AM » |
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What? Why? just leave the door open and let the poor thing have his fun.
Thats just horrible.
Altered cats aren't suffering... they literally have no idea what they're missing. In reality, they're actually much happier without the drive to mate. That said, I did let my Keiko get his rocks off once before he got snipped   . His kids live with a friend. |
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sentinelscout
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« Reply #8 on: February 23, 2012, 01:32:14 AM » |
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In reality, they're actually much happier without the drive to mate.
Im sure thats what the Govt says when they dump love potion number 9 in our water supply. XD |
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Real Eyes, Realize, Real Lies.
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MonkeyPuppet
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« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2012, 01:33:40 AM » |
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Im sure thats what the Govt says when they dump love potion number 9 in our water supply.
XD
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Brocke
Eleutherophiliac & Drapetomaniac
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I am not a number, I am a free man!
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« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2012, 02:15:47 AM » |
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Altered cats aren't suffering... they literally have no idea what they're missing. In reality, they're actually much happier without the drive to mate. That said, I did let my Keiko get his rocks off once before he got snipped . His kids live with a friend. I agree with this. Let the cat develop to sexual maturity then spay or neuter them. If they are fixed at a very early age they can have all sorts of health issues. Hormones are needed for proper development. Once you neuter your male cat you will find that he will be much more cuddly and easygoing. Oh, he'll still be a male; defending territory and asserting dominance. He'll just have a new more loving side as well. |
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 That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons of history. ~Aldous Huxley |
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Stan
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« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2012, 11:35:45 AM » |
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Thanks. I'll check out that link also. And I do leave the first floor window open for him. It works out best for both of us since he can just come and go when he pleases and I don't have to mess with a litter tray. I'm not sure if that will be an option when he's older though, especially if he gets arthritis with his bad hip. One of the reasons I asked was because I woke up the other morning and a small cat had snook up on him while he slept in the living room. It was like waking up to a police siren. I think it was a girl but didn't think to check before throwing her out the window. |
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Stan
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« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2012, 11:37:55 AM » |
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I agree with this. Let the cat develop to sexual maturity then spay or neuter them. If they are fixed at a very early age they can have all sorts of health issues. Hormones are needed for proper development.
Once you neuter your male cat you will find that he will be much more cuddly and easygoing. Oh, he'll still be a male; defending territory and asserting dominance. He'll just have a new more loving side as well.
Good point. I hadn't thought of that but read they still grow to around three years old. |
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Stan
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« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2012, 11:39:52 AM » |
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He's a little more gentlemanly that that... but not much. |
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All4truth
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« Reply #15 on: February 23, 2012, 11:41:30 AM » |
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Thanks. I'll check out that link also. And I do leave the first floor window open for him. It works out best for both of us since he can just come and go when he pleases and I don't have to mess with a litter tray. I'm not sure if that will be an option when he's older though, especially if he gets arthritis with his bad hip. One of the reasons I asked was because I woke up the other morning and a small cat had snook up on him while he slept in the living room. It was like waking up to a police siren. I think it was a girl but didn't think to check before throwing her out the window. Oh oh you may be to late. |
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Stan
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« Reply #16 on: February 25, 2012, 03:49:29 PM » |
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Well he didn't seem very impressed but I don't mind what they get up to as long as she's the one who has the kittens. |
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