Can a Neutered Male Cat Still Get a Female Pregnant? All You Need To Know
If you’re a cat owner, you might be wondering if a neutered male cat can still get a female cat pregnant. This is a valid concern, especially if you have both male and female cats living in the same household. Is that possible even after the neutering procedure has been done? Can a neutered male cat still get a female pregnant
Yes. The neutering procedure neutralizes your male feline, but for several weeks(up to 6 weeks) after the procedure, he still has residual testosterone and sperm in his genital tract. That’s why he can still impregnate female felines. So, keep them apart for almost 30 days if your male cat has recently had neutering.
Most cats’ behaviour or personalities change after getting neutered; that’s why most newbie cat owners ask whether we should neuter our cats or not. So, continue reading this to know the benefits and myths of neutering. Moreover, you will also learn how to can prevent your female cat from becoming impregnated by a neutered cat and many more interesting facts!
Do Neutered Cats Still Mate?
Yes, sometimes, a neutered cat will still have the urge to mate because testosterone still lingers in his body, causing him to mate. It may take weeks for testosterone to leave the body of a neutered cat.
Generally, neutered felines won’t engage in sexual activities since it stops producing sperm after being neutered. Moreover, his testosterone counts are significantly reduced, so he practically ends up losing his interest in mating.
Also Read: Why Are Male Cats Around Pregnant Female Cats?
Is it Possible “Can a Male Cat Still Impregnate After Being Neutered?”
After neutering has been done and the testicles, sperm still remains in the testicle tubes. This mostly happens in those male cats who’re engaged in sexual activity before the neutering procedure.
So, the last sperm from sexual intercourse is still present in his genital system and stay alive for 6 weeks. That’s why a neutered male can easily impregnate a female feline even after getting neutered.
How Could a Neutered Cat Still Impregnate a Female Cat?
You might be thinking that your cat can’t impregnate a female cat after neutering, but you’re wrong. Even after neutering, sperm from the previous intercourse are left behind in the testicle tubes and takes 6 weeks to be removed from the body.
So, if your neutered cat has met any female felines after 2 weeks of being neutered, he can impregnate her because his active sperms are still alive in his genital system. So, keeping your neutered cat inside for almost 30 days is advised.
Interesting Reading: Signs of Infection After Neutering Cat:
Are Cats Still Active After Neutering?
No, when all sex organs of your felines are removed, the sexual hormones that regulate the reproduction cycle will also be reduced. Although, some hormones will still be present in your cats’ genital system if they had previously experienced adolescence before the neutering procedure.
Because of this, male felines may react to intact females or even heated or non-heated felines. You may consider this behavior as a sexual activity, but it’s actually just a part of their regular behavioral problems. Cats who are under a lot of stress due to neutering may react aggressively, except for just showing sexual behaviors.
Find Out: When Do Male Cats Go Into Heat?
Do Cats’ Personalities Change After Neutering?
Yes, a neutered cat probably becomes less violent against other unneutered males, quieter, and far less engaged in roaming the area in search of a female feline for mating.
Moreover, asst cats stop to spray within 6 months of neutering. So, it’s advised to urine around your neutered feline territory so that any intact cat won’t dominate over your neutered cat domain due to stinky smell.
Find Out More: Do Cats Inbreed? Things Cat Owners Should Know
How to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancies by My Neutered Cat?
1. Separate your Cats for around 8 Weeks
Your cat needs around two weeks to heal completely from the neutering operation. To prevent difficulties after this procedure, your feline must be isolated for that time.
To prevent your feline from sexually reproducing with your neighbors’ female cats, you should separate him for 8 weeks, especially if he lives outside.
2. Spay Your Female Feline
Getting your female feline spayed when you neuter your male cat effectively stops your female from becoming pregnant.
Since neutering is a less intrusive treatment than spaying, you might be hesitant to have the treatment done. Sometimes, it may appear tricky because you’re already planning to neuter your other cat.
During the breeding season, a female feline can experience heat after every 4-6 weeks and can be pregnant when she becomes 4 months old. So, even if you keep your female cat inside, the hormones released when she experiences a heat cycle may urge her to leave and mate with a male.
Check Out: How Many Times Can A Cat Get Pregnant In A Year?
3. Neuter your Cat Early
Veterinarians disagree on the ideal time to castrate a cat; however, some vets suggest neutering your feline as soon as 6–8 weeks old. This frequently happens at kennels, where there is a higher chance of becoming pregnant due to the frequent crowding of felines. Some veterinarians think that the cat’s development is stunted when they’re neutered at this young age.
At around 4-5 months of age, the majority of felines are neutered. Because after that, the feline reaches adolescence, so this is a perfect age.
It can be beneficial to have your feline neutered at an early age because once it reaches sexual maturity, there are many chances that residual sperm can cause pregnancy. Moreover, if your feline is neutered, it’ll also help to prevent sexual practices that can persist, like peeing, wandering, and fighting.
4. Adrenal Glands
Adrenal glands produce the aldosterone sex hormone. So, it’s essential that you must take your cat to a veterinarian if they show arousal of sex hormones or strange behaviours for more than 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Benefits of Neutering Male Cats
Other than preventing spraying, neutering offers the following advantages.
- Less aggressiveness. A neutered feline will engage in combat with another cat; however, the majority of fights involve non-neutered males. Fighting is one of the ways that males battle with one another for territory or for females. However, it can result in bruises and cuts, which can become infections. Most cats quit fighting after being neutered.
- Roaming. Not neutered cats can roam away from home, particularly during the breeding season. Wandering cats face the danger of being struck by vehicles, identified as stray animals, and transported to wildlife rescue, where they may be imprisoned if unclaimed. Moreover, contact with other animals may infect your cat with many fatal feline diseases.
- Physical alterations. The odour of male feline pee is rather pungent and bitter. After neutering, the pee smell becomes normal. Many claims that neutering their feline makes them healthier, less stinky, and better groomers.
- Population management. There’s no denying that the number of felines is increasing daily. So, neutering male cats will help to reduce the cat population.
Also, Check Out: Cat Lethargic 3 Days After Spay: Is It Normal? Things Cat Owners Should Know
Consequences of Not Neutering Male Cats?
Cats that haven’t been spayed or neutered have shorter lives. According to research, a cat’s lifespan is associated with how often it has previously been neutered. Male felines who have been neutered live roughly 62% more than non-neutered males.
Additional vulnerabilities include:
- Non-neutered cats are more likely to contract feline diseases from other animals.
- Severe wounds from clashes with other pets, including cats.
- Testicular tumours, as well as other cancers.
- When they’re unable to breed, they may become quite frustrated, which may result in poor behaviour and spraying.
Find Out: Can A Cat Get Pregnant While Nursing?
Some Myths About Neutering
- It must be possible for my feline to have children. Any scientific data don’t support this theory.
- The way my feline acts will modify. Yes, and it’ll probably be for the better.
- It’ll make my feline obese since neutered felines are less energetic. You must give them less food and ensure they’re doing enough activity because they may become fat.
- My feline isn’t old enough to be spayed. When cats reach 4 months, they must be spayed, and it’s recommended to have the procedure performed before the feline reaches adolescence. Consult your veterinarian to see whether your cat is ready for neutering or not.
- Neutering costs money. It may be that most localities have affordable veterinary services. Moreover, when most rescue organizations sell their animals, they neuter the felines. Additionally, February is National Neutering Season, and certain groups and city councils run free services throughout the month.
- After neutering, my feline loses its muscular appearance. According to vets, it isn’t possible for neutered male loses their “masculinity,.” Felines don’t possess egos; therefore, they won’t get angry if they lose their “masculinity.”
Should I Get My Cat Neutered?
“Yes” if you wish your feline to live a longer life and don’t want that your cat fights with the neighbour’s feline, you should neuter him.
You need to leave your feline in the morning at your veterinarian’s clinic and, in the evening, take him because the operation is extremely simple.
You shouldn’t feed your feline the day before the surgery to get anaesthesia. The little cuts won’t require stitching and will recover in 2 weeks.
Do Neutered Male Cats still Respond to Females in Heat?
Generally, a neutered male cat will not be attracted to female cats in heat once he has been fixed for some time.
Felines will let everyone in their vicinity know when they are in season. The good news is that your male cat will not be able to get pregnant if he comes into contact with a queen in heat – which helps reduce feline overpopulation.
Can a spayed cat still get pregnant?
No, spayed felines are unable to become impregnated. Since their ovaries are removed, no eggs are produced, so they can’t become pregnant.
But it’s advised that before making the surgery for spaying, the veterinarian must check to verify if the feline is already expecting or not. Because if she’s already pregnant, then spaying her may damage her placenta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a neutered cat still produce sperm?
No, neutered felines can’t produce fresh sperm. But, your feline may have some sperm left over in the genital system for around 8 weeks, which lets him make a female feline pregnant. Your veterinarian will probably inform you about this to prevent any unplanned pregnancy.
When should you neuter a cat?
When a cat is between four and six months old, we advise neutering it. Before being neutered, your cat must get all the required immunizations. The ideal period for neutering a cat is between 4 and 6 months, as this is just before the feline reaches adolescence.
How long after a cat is neutered is he sterile?
It requires around 6 weeks for testosterone hormones level to decline totally. Accordingly, a feline’s sperm disappears after roughly 1 month, though this can fluctuate. The typical duration seems to be between four and six weeks.
Can a neutered female cat still have babies?
No, removing female sex organs is known as spaying. After removing the ovaries and uterus from your feline, she won’t get any ovary tumours, uterus diseases, and genital tract cancer.
Moreover, as the sex organs of your cats are removed by spaying, she won’t become pregnant again.
Can cats get sexually frustrated?
Yes, they become frustrated due to high levels of sex hormones, and in some cases, when there’s no male cat, females may try to mate with another female feline. This is due to the excess of sexual behaviour that occurs when your feline is extremely frustrated.
Cats that have been neutered and repeatedly indulge in inappropriate sexual behaviour could be showing signs of psychological behaviour.
Do spayed female cats still have the urge to mate?
After spaying, there are no sexual organs left in your cats. Female cats who have been spayed won’t experience the desire to breed because these organs won’t release the hormones that trigger sexual desires in felines. However, it might be possible that they show some sexual behaviours.
Why is my cat acting in the heat after being spayed?
Yes, this may happen due to ovarian tissue lingering within a female feline’s body after spaying her. These left ovarian tissues produce estrogen hormones that may trigger your feline to exhibit symptoms of heat.
Final Words!
Despite how strange it might seem, this is feasible that neutered felines can make female felines pregnant.
Before deciding that the neutering feline is the dad, be cautious to consider alternative methods that she might be pregnant before. So, ensure your pregnant feline receives the veterinary attention she requires after that, and don’t spay them unless they give birth.
The sooner you neuter your cat, the more rapidly the procedure will be effective in avoiding unintended cat births.
Moreover, neutering your cat will undoubtedly make him less violent; he won’t become infertile. Therefore, don’t think that getting him neutered is the only way to stop him from urinating inside the home.
Related Posts:
Who is Isabella?
My name is Isabella, and I am a dedicated and knowledgeable cat enthusiast. With years of experience caring for cats and a deep love for felines, I made a mission to help other cat lovers navigate the challenges of cat ownership.
