Neutering Tomcats: Advantages, Process and the Right Timing
Castration is generally a sensible measure for tomcats, which ultimately also benefits the animal itself. In the following, you will find out how the procedure is carried out and what advantages the neutering of tomcats brings.
Neutering of tomcats – the main points at a glance
- For a tomcat, castration is a minor operation that does not usually lead to complications.
- Normally, male cats are neutered when they are six to seven months old.
- Neutered cats generally live longer than their unneutered counterparts, who are exposed to numerous risks during their extensive forays.
- Tomcats that are kept indoors are much calmer when neutered and do not behave as territorially.
- Since castrated tomcats tend to become overweight, it is particularly important to ensure that they eat the appropriate amount of food.
When is the right time for a tomcat's castration?
Male cats can normally be neutered when they are six to seven months old. Castration before reaching sexual maturity is viewed critically by many cat owners, as this can impair the development of the four-legged friend.
On the other hand, if you wait too long before neutering, it is possible that your tomcat is already used to unwanted behaviour such as marking the home and will continue to do so after the procedure. It is best to talk to your veterinarian and ask at what age they recommend neutering your cat.
The procedure of castrating a tomcat
Compared to female cats, the neutering of tomcats is a minor operation, which only takes around 30 minutes, due to the anatomical differences. However, a general anaesthetic is required. Once the four-legged friend has fallen asleep, the vet shaves and sterilizes the surgical area, makes two incisions and exposes the testicles.
Now they tie off the testicles, cut through the seminal duct and remove the testicles. Since the incisions are very small, it is usually not necessary to sew up the surgical wounds. The cat's scrotum shrinks over time after spaying.
Quick recovery after castration
The castration is carried out as an outpatient, so that you can take your cat home with you immediately after the procedure. Remember that your four-legged friend will be dazed by the anaesthetic for a while and should therefore be kept under close surveillance at home.
In contrast to female animals, male cats can usually manage without an Elizabethan collar after castration. However, if your four-legged friend is tampering with the surgical wounds, it can make sense to put one on.
After neutering, do not give your cat any food for the rest of the day. Make sure, however, that plenty of fresh water is available. Normally you can expect that the four-legged friend will recover from the operation very quickly and will almost be his old self again the next day.
Advantages of neutering tomcats
Neutering has many benefits for tomcats. The life expectancy of outdoor cats can increase significantly as a result of the procedure. Unneutered tomcats often cover great distances in their search for females that are ready to mate. As a result, the risk of accidents is particularly high for them.
In addition, they repeatedly get into fierce territorial fights with other males. This can not only lead to serious injuries, but also to the transmission of cat diseases such as FIV.
If you keep your four-legged friend indoors, castrating them pays off with regard to their behaviour. Neutered cats are much more sociable and calm. They no longer display strong territorial behaviour and are also less inclined to mark their supposed territory with their foul smelling urine.
Calculated risks from the procedure
Although neutering male cats has many benefits and is a simple routine procedure, as with all operations under general anaesthetic, there is of course a degree of risk involved. Fortunately, complications are rare.
So you don't usually have to worry about your four-legged friend. If you are in doubt, it is best to speak to the veterinarian, who will be happy to explain any risks of castration to you.
Obesity in neutered tomcats
If there is one major downside to neutering, it must be the increased tendency to obesity that you can expect to see in your post-procedure tomcat.
On the one hand, this is due to the hormonal changes associated with castration and, on the other hand, to the reduced urge to move compared to unneutered cats.
In order to avoid obesity and its possible health consequences, you should keep a close eye on your cat's weight and take action at an early stage if necessary. In addition to a moderate reduction in the amount of food, a dietary supplement with our natural diet powder Shiimun Slim can also help.
Do I have to have my tomcat neutered?
So far there is no nationwide obligation to castrate tomcats in Germany. However, some municipalities have decided to make the neutering of outdoor cats mandatory. The main aim is to prevent mating with strays. There are now more than two million strays living in Germany, which is causing considerable problems in some regions.
Neutering tomcats – our conclusion
As you can see, the advantages of neutering male cats clearly outweigh the disadvantages. The procedure is routine for the veterinarian, so your four-legged friend should quickly recover from the operation without any complications.
Apart from an increased tendency to obesity, which can be easily controlled with an appropriate diet, there are usually no problems after your cat has been neutered. You should therefore at least consider the procedure in any case.