Will Neutered Male Cat Hurt Kittens – 5 Considerations!

Male cats typically do not have the motherly instincts that female cats do. This means that they will likely treat kittens differently and possibly a little rougher than a female cat would. If your male cat is not neutered, it is even more likely that they will get rough with your kittens because they have intense hormones affecting them. If you have a neutered male cat, you may be wondering, will a neutered male cat hurt kittens?

Yes, neutered male cats can hurt kittens. Neutering your cat takes away the chances that the attack will be sexually charged. But, there is still the possibility that your male cat will attack kittens for other reasons.

Let’s take a look at these reasons and ways to prevent attacks from happening.

Reasons Male Cats Might Hurt Kittens 

If your male cat is not neutered, they will likely hurt the kittens you bring around them. These attacks are usually them trying to mount or assert dominance over kittens, but they can, unfortunately, be very violent. If your male cat is already neutered, there are still some reasons they might hurt kittens, such as:

Other Cats in the Home are Not Spayed or Neutered

There could already be existing tension if other cats in your home are not spayed or neutered. Their hormones could be causing them to act a certain way that has affected your male cat. Or, if the new kittens entering your home are not spayed or neutered, this could cause your male cat to attack them as well.

A New Cat Has Entered The Home

Your male cat may attack a kitten for the sole fact that it is a new cat entering their home. Cat’s become very territorial and protective of their space, so they may feel compelled to defend themselves. Or they will think they need to assert dominance to establish themselves as the alpha of the house. 

Existing Tensions Between Other Cats

Some cats do not get along. If you have two or more cats in your home that already have tension with each other, introducing a kitten to the mix could make this tension worse. They may feel like the kitten is a new nuisance and choose to attack it. Or, to show their strength to the other cat, they may hurt the kitten.

A New Source Of Stress

Cats are very empathetic creatures, so if something is causing stress for you, they will sense it and feel it too. Cats in your home could be getting along perfectly well, and if there is a new source of stress-causing tension for them, they may start to fight with each other.

So if you try to introduce a new kitten to the household while you are experiencing a stressful time at work, your cats may not get along. Your existing cats and the new kitten will be able to feel your stress, and it will make it harder for them to get along. 

Traumatic Event

Unfortunately, cats can experience traumatic events in their lives that alter how they react to situations, especially with rescue cats. If you have rescued a male cat and you do not know much about his life before meeting you, you may be unaware of issues they have that could cause them to lash out. 

How Often Do Male Cats Kill Kittens

Stray, un-neutered male cats may commonly kill kittens. Usually, their motivation is to encourage a female cat to go into heat. They usually will attack and kill kittens that are not their own when they do this.

Then the female goes into heat, and they can produce their own kittens. They will rarely kill their own kittens. They develop attachments and paternal instincts with their own kittens and will typically protect them rather than attack them. 

Neutered male cats very rarely kill kittens. If they do, it is usually a freak accident or rough-housing that got too intense. They do not feel the same instincts that un-neutered cats do to kill kittens to induce heat in a female. Without this motivation, they are relatively unbothered by kittens.

Is It Safe To Have A Male Cat Around Kittens

It is safe to have a male cat around kittens if he is neutered or the kittens’ father. A male cat that is not neutered is too much of a wild card and could act violently towards kittens, so it is best to keep them away.

A neutered male cat will not have the drive to hurt the kittens and generally will not pay much attention to them. A cat who has fathered kittens will develop paternal feelings for their kittens and will want to protect them. 

At What Age Are Kittens Safe From Male Cats

The answer to this could vary depending on the kittens and the male cat. At around four months old is when cats are spayed or neutered. Your cat having this procedure done will help them be safer around male cats because it eliminates the hormone factor causing tension and aggression. 

Some say that around 6-7 months is when kittens will be able to hold their own against male cats. If they are strong, a male cat will likely attack them because they will usually aim for weaker prey.

This also means that your kittens will be able to fight back and not be as wounded as they would be at a younger age.

Many say there is not a specific age at which kittens are safe from male cats. If a male cat is not neutered, then it could attack kittens at any age. Some male cats remain aggressive even after being neutered, so it’s possible they could attack kittens as well.

The best course of action is to monitor their behavior and not leave kittens alone with a male cat until you know he is docile and gentle with them.

Do Male Cats Kill Kittens That Aren’t Theirs

Male cats do kill kittens that are not theirs. They do this because they want the female cat to go into heat so they can have their own kittens. Killing the kittens will cause the female to go into heat to begin this process. 

They may also kill kittens that are not theirs to establish their territory. Some male cats have also been known to attack the mother with her kittens to establish dominance. It is their way of warning other cats not to come into their area or around the other cats they breed with. 

How To Protect Kittens From Male Cats

Whether there is a male cat in your home or a stray causing problems for your kittens, there are several things you can do to protect them.

Spray Bottle Full Of Water

A great deterrent is to keep a spray bottle full of water to spray at male cats getting too aggressive. Cats hate being wet because of water’s effect on their fur, so this is an effective way to train them to stay away.

Cat Repelling Fragrances

Most pet supply stores carry products that help to keep cats away. They are made up of blends of fragrances that cats choose to avoid. Spray this fragrance can help keep cats away and ultimately train them not to be in certain areas.

Cat Repelling Plants

Certain plants are not toxic to cats but give off an odor that they do not like. Many fragrant herbs are effective for this use. You can put these plants in your yard or in your house to discourage male cats from coming around your kittens.

Physical Barriers

Sometimes the best option is just completely to separate the male cats from the kittens. If the male cats are outdoors, keeping the kittens inside and the doors and windows shut will be the most effective way to protect them.

If they live in the same house, you may want to consider staying in different rooms. You can also use a baby gate to establish boundaries.

Never Let Them Be Alone Together

If you are trying to introduce new kittens to a male cat, it is essential not to leave them alone together. They may eventually get to a point where they can be alone together, but it is always better to err on the side of caution. Keeping them apart will keep your kittens protected.

Things To Consider

All cats are different! While it is common for male cats to be aggressive, plenty of male cats are always sweet and gentle. Some rescues have male cats that will snuggle with new fosters to help them feel safe. The best way to stay safe is to stay vigilant when introducing kittens to male cats and always be cautious.