Will neutering a 6 month old male stop him attacking older cat.

pink.1970

We have taken on a 6 month old male kitten who's owner couldnt keep him, we already have an 8 year old neutered male who is used to other cats.

The kitten is not neutered but hopefully by the end of this week will be. What we would like to know is after his op will he stop fighting with our older cat?

I'm sure most of the time it is just play fighting but this morning at 4am it sounded like a war zone downstairs, we let them have run of the house as this has always been the case with all the cats we have had.

They are indoor cats with occassional access outside.

Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks

~Chameleon~

I would advise getting him neutered anyway. This will prevent further unnecessary vet bills to treat him for abscesses and wounds when he gets into fights, plus the risk of contracting diseases such as FIV (feline AIDS) or FeLV (leukaemia) and such like. Not to mention populating the local neighbourhood with even more unwanted kittens

Eventually he will settle anyway and it doesn't sound as though the cats are fighting seriously...at the moment!

pink.1970

Thank you, we are phoning vets today about getting him neutered, we have always had all our cats neutered as you say it makes sense.

They are again play fighting it only seems to be the occassional proper spat but still annoying for the older one having the other hanging off his throat!

fluffnutter

The two are probably unconnected. They're just establishing a hierarchy. You need to neuter the little one anyway - irresponsible not to. The fighting will calm down in time.

lisajane8482

We had this with the kitten we took on just before christmas. Our older cat has just turned 2 and the kitten 8 months. Before getting Gizmo neutered there was a lot of fighting, in fact it seemed that was what they spent most of their time doing when they were awake and weren’t eating or using the litter tray. Gizmo constantly pounced on Salem no matter where he was or what he was doing and it quite often lead to Salem hissing and growling at Gizmo. They still had their moments where they would groom each other but the main was rolling around the floor scrapping. Since having Gizmo neutered though it has changed completely, they still play fight quite often but most of the time there is no hissing or growling just two cats silently rolling around the floor.

pink.1970

Thanks Lisajane8482, this is what we are hoping will happen, nice playing not hissing and yowling!

paulineb_2

Well my ginger tom wasnt neutered when he arrived here and there was one fight where fur was literally flying, hes now a big placid lump who wouldnt fight anyone, he'll give the odd hiss if someone is annoying him, but thats it.

Id try and keep them apart until the kitten gets the op if you can, also kittens are playful, they dont realise they are being a pest to other cats around them.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Probably not. But at least your house won't smell of tom cat as he gets older and he'll live longer.


The Village Idiot is 19 months old and he still chases the older cat - but there are fewer incidences now, and they have been known to greet and sniff one another without him launching at her back every single time now. Having said that, he did try and pounce on her twice today - once in the garden this morning and once about an hour ago.

pink.1970

Well I have to say things are a little bit calmer now, little one had his op on friday and has been back for his check up today.

OH found them asleep together on bed yesterday, and they slept on my side of bed with us last night with no quarralling.

Time will tell. But going by last few days I think it will be fine.

Thank you all for your views.