Yes, unneutered males have a shorter lifespan for all the reasons charliesugar said. Regardless of the lifespan issue, it is irresponsible not to have your cat neutered if he is allowed outside (again for the reasons CS mentioned).

Well im going to think about it a bit as its a big decision for him as hes only young .

Un neutered males are also more likely to get feline aids and leukaemia from all the fights they get into and the females they mates with.

They're also more likely to get abcesses and infections from fighting.

They wander further and are more likely to be involved in accidents and go missing permanently.

Also think of all the unwanted kittens he's responsible for who might be put to sleep.

No he is NOT young...he is sexually mature and probably out there right now impregnating females as well as maybe picking up various infections etc
It is not a decision 'for him'...you are his owner and in control of this. Really there is absolutely NO argument for keeping an entire Tom. You are condemning him to a shortened life span spent fighting and wandering...not to mention giving yourself a house that stinks of tomcat spray.

There is no reputable animal rescue centre in the country which will let you adopt a kitten unless you agree to neuter it at 6 months. Even pedigree breeders ask you to agree to do this.

There is a very good reason for that - the rescue centres are inundated with unwanted cats and kittens which are the result of irresponsible owners failing to neuter their cats. There is absolutely no reason not to do it, it is far better for the cat itself as well as for all the neighbouring cats it will beat up, and the strays it will impregnate.

Get them both neutered ASAP! You may have to ask neighbours for help to trap your older cat but i can assure you the problem is the lack of neutering. Plus you don't want to create a bigger problem with more unwanted kittens whether tame or wild.

I have 5 cats all different ages (3 male and 2 female), they were all rescued cats and are all different ages. They tolerate each other because they have been neutered.

If you care for your cats you will neuter them as soon as you can. Not only can un-neutered cats cause a massive problem with unwanted kittens but they are also open to all nasty and sometimes fatal diseases. Do not allow a cat to go out unless they are neutered (males and females). It's just irresponsible.

Hi all.

Just to say i've got the young one booked in to be neutered on the 10th May. I've been told i mustn't feed him from 8pm the night before.
The missus got a voucher number from the cats protection and it is costing £23.

Would my missing cat be more likely to come home once this op is done or have i pretty much lost him forever now?

Also, once the operation has been done how long does he have to stay in for?

Thanks

Well done Tom for getting the op booked. It really is pretty minor for boys compared to the spay for girls. I am sure your vet will give precise instructions for aftercare on the day so don't worry. As regards wandering Tom...well he is out on a hormone rollercoaster and probably has a busy schedule of spray marking, fighting and, erm 'lady time' which will be occupying him 24/7 ( remember there is lots more nasty fighting and wee spraying than the fun stuff )
Did you ask the CPL about borrowing a trap? Or get a chance to drop leaflets in to neighbours asking that they keep an eye out for him and don't feed him?

A trap is out of the question as the area we live in almost every house has a cat or two.

Funnilly enough just before i wrote this message i just caught a glimpse of him and my son tried to catch him and he's run off again.

At least he is alive and here's hoping he comes home regularly enough for me to be able to get him neutered.

Glad you've got the young one booked in Tom.

I doubt you've lost your other cat forever. Cats have long memories. Really hope he comes back in the near future, or you manage to catch him. Good luck!

Well done Tom !! I think your other cat's more likely to come home now. Good luck catching him .

I think you have to keep him in for 24 hours after the op.

Glad to hear the young one is booked in for neutering, Tom. It is a very minor op, mine were all absolutely fine immediately they got out of the cat carrier, looking for food and racing around. You should probably keep him in the following day, but no more than that ( your vet will advise).

Who is feeding your missing cat, Tom? Whoever it is, ask them to stop. Then he may well remember he has a nice home where he gets fed! That plus the altered scent profile once the young cat is neutered (as I mentioned previously) could hopefully encourage him to return.

Trying to catch him by running after him to nab him is unlikely to succeed, he will run and he's quicker than you (or your son) and it will probably just scare him.

Hey Tom, the fact that he is lurking in the area is good. I am sure you are on his 'to do' list, just lower down than fighting every single cat in a one mile radius, spraying stinky pee on every available surface, and eying up the local totty of the pussycat variety.

Been speaking to my mother today who said she took a female cat into pets at home and got it spayed for £5 as she is a pensioner!

Anybody know if this is the case with male cats? At that price i'll be well chuffed.

Calling them in the morning and asking but it was in a different part of the country to where i am.

Here's the list of stores who have a resident vet. So you could check if there is one near you Tom.

http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs...-vets_-1_10551

Thanks. There is one nearby who i will call first thing. If i can get it done cheaper i will cancel the other appointment.

Two points -

I've always had all my cats spayed/neutered. Not sure about the life span being shortened suggestion. My oldest neutered Tom lasted until he was 21 - would he have gone on longer if he'd been intact???

On another issue - one of my cats (neutered tom) acts like a right gypsy and frequently goes missing for days at a time, occasionally returning at night time to feed. On one long period of absence we leafleted the whole neighbourhood and it turned out that three other people had been welcoming him into their homes and feeding him. He's such a friendly, gentle cat - and they all had excuses as to "thinking he was a stray..." (yeah right, he's a great big healthy well fed, happy to be picked up cat - obviously a stray - not!) or "thinking he was lost" etc. etc. All three of these people promised not to feed him and let me know if he was hanging around their doors too much. Two of them have kept to their word - the third still continues to encourage him with tasty titbits and when I call he's often to be found sleeping on her bed! I've been as nice as I can to her and begged her to try and discourage him - but my pleas are falling on deaf ears.

Now there's that bl**dy Whiskas advert on the t.v. where that blasted woman who "loves grilled chicken" postively encourages the neighbour's cat to come in and eat at her house! Not helpful at all.

Jeanie....Unneutered Toms will have a life time of fight injuries and are far more likely to contract FIV/FELV so having your boy done was part of what allowed him to reach the venerable old age of 21. Quite an achievement.
As regards cat sharing...I am afraid they all do it, little beggars love an extra sneaky snack and a fuss. In most cases there is no harm done, unfortunately one of my boys is diabetic and on a special diet so we have had to curtail his house calls.

No - other way round - intact toms tend to have shorter lives.

Borrow a trap from local cats proctection. He must be hungry so bit of tuna and you'll have him! I had to do that with my little 'un who recently went missing for a month. It's the only way for your peace of mind, you need him home, good luck! x

Good idea usually but in this case Tom says

Yep if i put a trap down i'd catch everybody elses cats which hover around the street where as my cat doesn't hang around in any one place.

I've seen him 3 times in 3 weeks. Twice under different neigbours cars and the other in the street opposite.

I wouldn't have a clue where to put the trap. Nice idea but not practical here.

when you next spot him could you leave your door open and then put some of his fav food in the hallway?
then hide behind the door and when/if he comes in for the food shut the door behind him???

i have had to use this technique on my cat before when she was feeling particulary adventurous

Tried this one the other day and to no avail.

The cat isn't really that close to me and even my wife who has always been the cats favourite in the house couldn't tempt him in.