Hi,

Just after Christmas we got 3 male kittens. We have kept (provided for) cats before, but always female.

Anyhoo, last month, when the 2 older cats became sexually mature, they ran away for 3 days. The youngest one, not yet sexually mature at 7 1/2 months, could not understand why his 'brothers' (Not really, but he's lived with them since his mother died when he was a young kitten).

My question is this: Do neutered male cats still feel the urge to seek out females during mating season and, if they do, do they attempt to mate?

My poor daft boys dart in in the middle of the night to eat, look at us with daft, glazed eyes, then dart out again- all to no avail - they are neutered, and can't procreate. Or are they just dirty beasts?

Jackieboo ,probably the fact that you had they neutered after they became sexually mature, will mean theye still got some learned behaviour about seeking out females , also they mght still have got some testosterone in their blood stream.

They might be going out hunting at night. If I were you, if you can I'd shut them in at night with a litter tray. Nightime is when a lot of cats either get into fights,or get hit by cars, causing massive vets bills.

Also dawn & dusk are when they do a lot of their hunting, so if you could shut them in with a litter tray at night, it would be much better for them & the local bird life !.

At this time of the year, with the amount of small wildlife that has been breeding, the cats are more likely hunting than looking for females. But yes, if there are females in season around, neutered boys will probably still show interest but not much of a drive to do anything about it.

ETA:

Absolutely right.

I was owned by two cats, brother & sister, born of same litter, same parents, came home with me as kittens, spayed at 8 weeks. Both were indoor cats and had never been outside, ever. Despite this, the boy chased and 'had' the girl as he wished.....much to her/my discomforture (she and I screamed for him to stop - for different reasons! ) I used to rescue her onto my knee or arms, which she seemed to appreciate, he simply, glowered at us both? Sadly, she died aged 4, now he just cuddles up to me a lot. But does not seem frustrated or anything.

Are you sure he's spayed? No vet would neuter a kitten at age 8 weeks. The earliest most vets would do this would be at around 4 months but the average age is about 6 months.

oh duh.... sorry, it was at 3 & half months. 8 weeks was their 1st visit to vets. Oops!