What Changes Occur After a Male Cat Is Neutered?

Unadjusted cats develop a sexual drive that urges them to wander around the neighborhood, looking for a female in heat. These cats are eager to escape the house and roam, which increases their risk of injuries and accidental death. Neutering whiskers eliminates this urge to roam. Your pet companion will feel content, and is more likely to lounge around the house. According to VeterinaryPartner.com, the urge to roam reduces in 90 percent of neutered cats.

Cats spray urine to mark their territory. If your cat isn't neutered and not allowed to go outdoors, he's likely to put his scent on the furniture. If Whiskers is marking the furniture, neutering him can put a stop to this behavior. The urge to spray is hard to resist in unaltered felines. But according to the Humane Society of the United States, neutering solves this problem in up to 90 percent of cats. It's better to neuter your furry friend before the age of 5 months. When done later, spraying might have already become be a hard-to-break habit.

When intact male cats reach adulthood, around the age of 2 to 4 years of age, they'll be more likely to provoke fights with other cats. These fights are usually about a female feline or to establish a higher social status. Adjusting your cat eliminates this urge to fight and will make him more docile. This is beneficial, because if Whiskers doesn't feel the urge to pick a fight, he's less likely to get bitten or suffer an infection or potentially die. Rather than being aggressive, Whiskers might seem happier to be around people and might show more affection.

After neutering Whiskers, don't be surprised if he gains some weight. He'll burn fewer calories, because he's not roaming as much as he did before. His metabolism decreases and he might eat more because he loses the ability to control his food intake. Ask a veterinarian about dietary changes to avoid too much weight gain. The timing for neutering your cat plays a significant role when it comes to his appearance. Cats neutered before the age of 6 months won't develop sexual characteristics. Cats altered after 6 months of age will have a more muscular body, spines on the penis and a rounder face.