Getting your male kitten neutered is one of the kindest things you can do for him. Neutering is a simple procedure with a short recovery time that will help keep your furry friend safe and healthy. It will also help curb unpleasant behavior such as spraying on your walls.
What is Neutering?
Neutering is a procedure to remove a male kitty's testicles. This is done through a small incision on his scrotum. It doesn't take very long, and only requires a minimal amount of anesthesia. The incision is so small that it doesn't need to be stitched back up after surgery. Once everything has healed and his fur grows back, it's hard to even tell the surgery was done.
Bringing Him Home
While the surgery may be quick and simple, that doesn't mean there aren't some considerations when your little guy comes home from the vet. Normally, he'll be returned the same day he has the surgery. He may be a little woozy, and he may vomit. These are side effects of the meds they used to put him under for the procedure. This should wear off by the next morning. Offer him only water at first, and, if he seems alert or hungry, a small amount of kibble. He may not want to eat anything the night of surgery. The vet can give him pain medicine to use over the next couple of days. If Kitty hides under the bed or seems antisocial, it's a good indication his surgery site is bothering him.
Recovery Time
Kitty will begin acting like his old self within a day or two after the surgery, so long as he isn't experiencing much pain. However, just because he's ready to play again doesn't mean it's good for him. For the next two weeks, he shouldn't be allowed outside or given a bath. If you have to leave the house, put him in his kennel or in a separate room from other pets to prevent rough-housing. He doesn't need to be licking the surgery site, even though he'll want to. If he won't leave it alone, put him in an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from aggravating the cut. Check the incision every day to make sure it's healing okay. If it looks red or swollen, he should see his vet to make sure he doesn't have an infection.
Benefits of Neutering
Prevention of more kittens isn't the only benefit of having your pal neutered. He'll be less likely to roam. This means he'll be less likely to bolt outdoors the first chance he gets. One of the most aggravating habits of an unneutered male is his marking his territory by spraying pee all over your stuff. Neutering will help curb the behavior, or possibly stop it entirely. Because he won't have so much testosterone, he'll be less likely to fight with other cats in your home.
Get him neutered as soon as he's old enough – around 5 months. Speak with his vet about the best time to have the procedure.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
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