Question about male cats ...

[Kickin_Donkey]

Over a year ago, our momma cat had a litter of kittens. We had all the girl kitties fixed, but male kitty sort of fell through the cracks -- couldn't catch him and, well, he's a male so we weren't worried about him getting pregnant.

He, Melvin, was a momma's boy until recently, hanging out with his mom and sisters in our backyard. But Melvin came of age and disappeared for a couple of weeks; I noticed this happened at the same time a strange tomcat started showing up.

Yesterday. I saw our young male Melvin for the first time in several weeks. He was pretty mangled up -- scab over an eye, weak, unkempt, listlessly eating the catfood and slurping water. His spirit had been broken. I felt bad.

Now, I realize he'd been out battling other tomcat(s), especially the one that was coming into our yard. Was that strange tom exerting his power over his turf (our yard)? Did he expel Melvin from what he considers his territory?

If I can, I want to protect Melvin. Would having Melvin neutered help, thereby no longer posing a threat to the foreign tomcat? Is it cruel to neuter a male cat who is about a year and a half old? Is it too late to save Melvin and bring him back into our fold?

Until recently, we lived in the country, and we let our barncats fend for themselves. But we moved into town, so I'm not sure what to do in this new situation. Any input you have would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[maxsolomon]

1. i will mellow him out

he'll still be a tom though - i have a 7 year old who's been fixed for 6.5 years - he still patrols his territory relentlessly, chases off dogs, and has stand offs with other males - but no knock down drag outs.

its not cruel - it will give him a better shot at making it to 2.

[Flaxbee]

2. YES!! GET HIM NEUTERED asap

Poor sweet Melvin is fighting all the toms around, and there is no need. It is NOT cruel to neuter at any age (provided the cat is old enough) - it will lengthen and improve Melvin's life. Otherwise he'll just fight until he dies. He might not be able to get pregnant, but he can impregnate dozens of cats in his lifetime.

My oldest sister is a veterinarian; I have seven cats, two former toms, both neutered way past age 2 (one when he was probably 5, after coming home with half of his guts hanging out - my husband, whom I didn't know then, finally got him fixed). I speak from experience. Neutering him will mellow him out -- he'll still be territorial, but he won't have to "prove" himself to get to the ladies.

Please, please get Melvin fixed. Please, as soon as possible. You'll be preventing countless pregnancies, and greatly, vastly improving the quality of Melvin's life.

[LeftyMom]

3. Yes, absolutely get him fixed

Also, please keep the kitties inside. They get used to it quickly, they get fewer diseases, it's easier to keep fleas at bay and it keeps them from losing fights with strange kitties, other critters and cars.

[Kickin_Donkey]

4. Well, it's unanimous ...

I guess I'll have him fixed. Now, if only I can get a hold of him.

[Orsino]

6. Thank you!

Fewer unwanted cats is a good thing, and a better life for your loved one is great.

[LynneSin]

9. Check with local cat rescue groups to help get him neutered

Many of them have cat traps they can use to capture the cats so they can be brought in to get neutered. Best way to catch em is with their most dominant organ - the stomach. Usually they put some nice treats and a bowl of water so the cat will be fine overnight while he awaits getting his surgery

[Jokerman]

5. Get him fixed AND TESTED!

If he has been outside fighting with other cats he is a prime candidate for communicable diseases.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Agree -- please neuter him asap.

Also, he may have impregnated other females -- it's not fair to contribute to the kitty overpopulation problems. Homeless kitties have short, brutal lives -- we all need to do our part to prevent more unwanted kittens.

[LynneSin]

8. It is NOT cruel to neuter a cat that old

Hell Evita was fixed until she was three years old and Abbott was about a year when he finally got fixed.

What's cruel is allowing this cat out there fending himself against other cats possible getting Feline Leukima or Feline HIV+. He's a male cat and it's normal for male cats to want to mark and protect their territory.

And just because your girl cats can't get pregnant doesn't mean that your boy cat isn't out there knocking up some random female. Other reason he may disappear is because he can sense a female cat in heat somewhere and wants to get a lil something-something on the side.

Abbott is my male cat and he's so docile and adorable. Please have Melvin fixed!

[stuntcat]

10. "baby" him for a while too!!

Let him sleep inside and in your lap so he knows where he belongs and that you care for him
and don't let that cat get at him until he's feeling 100%!!

(Some counties have places that would neuter the other cat too if you could catch him (that was said before maybe but..))

[demnan]

11. By all means neuter him

and if you can catch the feral ones, and you can afford it, neuter them too.