Can A Neutered Male Cat Still Get A Female Pregnant

Your neighbor’s cat is pregnant, and she swears your cat, Tom, is the kitten’s daddy. But that’s impossible because you recently had him neutered. His baby-making days are over. You tell her Tom was fixed two weeks ago, and she explains he can still be fertile for up to six weeks after being neutered.

Is that true? Can Tom still be fertile even after getting neutered?

Yes, a neutered male cat can still get a female cat pregnant.

A veterinarian neuters a male cat by removing his testicles. Many websites will tell you that your cat becomes sterile at that point. But that’s incorrect. A cat can no longer produce sperm after sterilization, but any sperm that has already left his testicles and is still in his system takes time to clear out.

Normally, it takes four to six weeks for your cat to become sterile after neutering. Keeping cats indoors at all times is best for them, but you’ll want to keep your freshly neutered male cat in the house for at least 30 days to avoid any surprises. If you have multiple cats in the household, keep them separated for a couple of days. When cats come home after neutering, they smell different, which may cause fights.

Are Cats Still Active After Neutering?

Not usually, as all reproductive organs are removed, which also removes reproductive hormones. However, if your cat has already gone through puberty before being neutered, there may be lingering hormones.

This can make your male cat respond to females in heat and even attempt to mount females who aren’t in heat. It’s also possible that what you see as sexual behavior could be just common behavioral issues. High levels of stress can cause cats to act out in various ways, including sexual.

Do Cats’ Personalities Change After Neutering?

Yes, and usually for the better. He’ll likely be calmer, much less interested in wandering the neighborhood looking for a female cat to mate with, and less aggressive with other male cats.

And then there’s the spraying. If you’ve ever had an intact male cat, you know what I’m talking about. They spray urine all around the house to mark their territory. It’s gross and smelly. The good news is that about 85% of cats stop spraying within six months after neutering.

What Are Some Benefits To Neutering My Male Cat?

Aside from stopping the spraying, which would be enough for many people, neutering your cat has some benefits.

• Decreased aggression. Any neutered cat can fight with other cats, but most of the fighting is between intact males. Males compete for territory or females, and fighting is the way they do it. But it can cause puncture wounds, which can lead to abscesses. Neutering takes the fight out of most cats.
• Roaming. Non-neutered males can wander far from home, especially during mating season. Roaming cats are in danger of being hit by cars, mistaken for strays, and taken to animal control, where they might be euthanized if not claimed. They can also get lost. Neutering cuts down on roaming by about 90%. Interaction with other cats can also lead to your cat being infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Both diseases can be fatal if not treated.
• Physical changes. Male cats’ urine has a rather sharp, acrid smell. Neutering changes the urine to a more normal odor. Many cat owners say that their cats become cleaner, less smelly, and better at grooming after being neutered.
• Population Control. No one can deny the population of cats and kittens has been out of control for some time. We euthanize millions of cats every year because there aren’t enough homes available for them. Male cats can father dozens of litters, so neutering them is critical to reducing the population of cats and kittens, many of whom are feral and have brief, hard lives.

What Are Some Consequences Of Not Neutering My Male Cat?

Intact cats have shorter lifespans than neutered cats. Studies have shown a link between how long a cat lives depending on whether they have been neutered. Neutered male cats have a lifespan that is about 62% longer than intact males.

My neutered male is 17 years old and still spry. The lifespan of a spayed female cat is approximately 39% longer than an unspayed one.

Other consequences include vulnerability to:

• Diseases such as FIV, FeLV, and rabies can transmit to cats and other animals.
• Severe injuries from fighting with other cats and animals.
• Tumors of the testicles and other types of cancer.
• High levels of frustration when they can’t find a mate could lead to bad behavior and spraying.

What Are Some Myths About Neutering?

My cat should have the chance to become a parent. There is no scientific evidence to support this idea.

My cat’s behavior will change. As stated above, yes, it will, but more than likely, it’ll be a positive change.

My cat will get fat. That’s possible because neutered cats are less active. Cat owners should adjust the amount of food their cat eats after neutering and make sure they get exercise. That will help keep the fat away.

My cat is too young to be neutered. In most cases, the younger the cat is, the better. Cats can be neutered as young as four months, and it’s best to get it done before the cat reaches sexual maturity. Talk to your vet to determine if your cat is the right age.

Neutering is expensive. It can be, but there are low-cost veterinarians and clinics in most communities. Many rescue organizations have their cats neutered before adopting them out. Also, February is Spay/Neuter Month, and some organizations and local governments operate free clinics during the month.

My neutered cat will be less masculine after the surgery. Veterinarians say a male cat’s “masculinity” doesn’t change with neutering. Veterinarians also believe that cats don’t have egos, so they won’t freak out over their loss of “masculinity.”

Should I Get My Cat Neutered?

If you want your cat to live a long life and you don’t want him knocking up the neighbor’s cat regularly, the answer is “Absolutely.” The procedure is quite simple, and you can typically drop your cat off at the vet’s office in the morning and pick him up in the afternoon. Your cat will have to fast overnight before the procedure to receive anesthesia. The incisions are small, won’t need stitches, and heal in 10-14 days.

Conclusion

Neutering your male cat will give him a longer life with fewer chances of injury and illness. And you will get a loving companion who might be with you for many years. If more people neuter their cats, we can reduce the population of feral and unwanted felines.