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 * Cat Behavior And Training Cat Neutering And Behavior


CAT BEHAVIOR AND TRAINING - CAT NEUTERING AND BEHAVIOR

By Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB & Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM
Print Article

Most male animals that are kept for companionship, work, or food production
(stallions, dogs, tomcats, bulls, rams and 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
malodorous. 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 (these are called 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 the kitten is born, 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.

> "The only behaviors affected by castration are those under the influence of
> male hormones."


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 or completely
removed. 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 may be retained
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 retained testicles are not
removed, they will continue to produce hormones and the cat will display
behaviors typical of intact male cats. Vasectomies are not performed in cats
because this procedure only sterilizes the cat but does not stop production of
male hormones. It is both sterilization and removal of the male hormones that
provide the behavioral benefits of castration.


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.

> "Vasectomies are not performed in cats because this procedure only sterilizes
> the cat but does not stop production of male hormones."

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.

> "Neutering reduces or eliminates spraying in approximately 85% of male cats."

Aggression

Cats, whether neutered or intact, can get into fights but most intercat
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 or wounds 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 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.
Although neutering greatly reduces sexual interest, 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 overproductive tail glands in the condition
known as "stud tail" can be dramatically improved.


DOES NEUTERING LEAD TO ANY ADVERSE EFFECTS ON HEALTH OR BEHAVIOR?

> "Male urine odor is particularly strong and pungent."

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 and
mating activity, 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 before puberty
appears to have similar effects to neutering post-puberty, every attempt should
be made to neuter before puberty before the cat develops problems, experiences,
and habits associated with sexual maturity.



Contributors: Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB & Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM


Keywords
Behavior Care & Wellness Pet Services
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Related Articles
Neutering in Cats

Neutering and castration are the common terms used to describe the surgical
procedure known scientifically as orchidectomy or orchiectomy during which both
testicles are removed in order to sterilize a male cat. Neutering is recommended
to prevent urine marking and other territorial behavior including roaming and
fighting with other cats that increases the risk of contracting disease. No
adverse effects are noted following neutering; however it is important to
remember that metabolism does decrease after the procedure, so diet will need to
be adjusted accordingly to prevent inappropriate weight gain.

Cat Behavior Problems - Vocalization

Most owner complaints about feline vocalization are either to do with the
intensity and persistence of the vocalization, or the fact that it occurs at
night or at other times when family members or neighbors are trying to sleep.

Spaying in Cats

Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an
ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed
completely in order to sterilize a female cat. Spaying is recommended to reduce
the risk of mammary cancer and to prevent ovarian and uterine cancer, as well as
pyometra and unwanted pregnancy. No adverse effects occur following spaying;
however it is important to remember that metabolism does decrease after the
procedure, so diet will need to be adjusted accordingly to prevent inappropriate
weight gain.





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