Is it possible to castrate a cat at 5 years old? Is it possible to castrate an adult cat: possible consequences. We agree with the veterinarian

Cats live in almost every apartment. These furry creatures give us joy and warmth. Children especially love them. And many parents are faced with a situation when a child brings home a tiny kitten with a request to keep it. If this is possible, then soon he will turn into a handsome cat with a luxurious mustache. And everything would be fine if not for one thing. Obeying instincts, your pet may begin to mark its territory and sing “songs.” We’ll talk today about what to do about it and whether it’s possible to castrate an adult cat.

Castration procedure

What is it? Every owner should think about this before going to the vet. This term refers to the removal of the male gonads. The operation is simple and performed quickly. But veterinarians are often asked whether it is possible to castrate a cat at 5 years old. There is usually one reason for this. The pet had behaved decently until now, but now it began to leave caustic marks and persistently demand a female.

There are no contraindications to performing this procedure on an adult animal. But the owner must understand: there is no 100% guarantee that his behavior will change after this. That is why it is recommended to perform the operation at a young age, while the growing cat is just beginning to feel the seething hormones.

Pros of castration

The older the animal, the more balanced you need to approach this issue. Is it possible to castrate a cat at 5 years old? If your veterinarian sees no contraindications for this procedure, then it is possible. The need is usually caused by the living conditions of our pets. They do not live in the wild and are deprived of the opportunity to communicate normally with representatives of their kind, that is, to fight with other cats and mate with females. But no one told the instincts about this. Therefore, a young cat will still throw out excess energy, jumping on curtains and cabinets for hours, but with age he will increasingly clearly indicate his desires.

A mature, unneutered cat's behavior will change. He becomes more restless, irritable, and aggressive. And that's not even taking into account the scent marks. It is not for nothing that many owners have a question about whether it is possible to castrate a cat at 5 years old. It's good if the animal has been with you since it was young, then you've had time to think about it. What if the cat is already an adult? Then you need to make a decision as quickly as possible. So, what are the advantages of the operation:

Most often, the animal stops marking its territory.
Aggression and night screams disappear.
The risk of developing urolithiasis is reduced.
Neutered people usually live longer.

Character and temperament

Is it possible to castrate a cat at 5 years old if the only problem is his playfulness and mobility? No, in this case it is better to leave everything as is. It is a myth that after removal of the testes the animal becomes calm and sleepy. Just like people, cats have different personalities and temperaments. If your pet is active and playful by nature, then it will not become a sofa ottoman.

Of course, it is better to do everything on time. Performed at an early age, this operation is easier for animals and does not threaten any complications. The optimal age is 7 months - 1 year. By this time, the pet has completed its maturation and formation. If the operation is performed earlier, the genitourinary system will remain underdeveloped. As a result, there will be a high chance of developing urolithiasis. Veterinarians usually recommend 9 months of age.

Is it possible to castrate an adult cat? Of course it is possible. But if he has already mated or has a bad habit of marking territory, which is also closely related to sex hormones, then castration may not solve the problem. In some cases, males continue to sing songs and leave marks, which, however, become less “fragrant.”

Why castrate an adult cat?

Most likely, he did not have behavioral problems before. The cat lives in an apartment for a long time and does not show much activity or desire for cats, that is, it is an ideal pet. But it also happens that between the ages of 2 and 5 years the situation changes dramatically. Anything can influence this. But most often it can be noted:

Age-related deterioration of character.
The arrival of a new family member.
New pet.
Change of residence.

Many other circumstances can awaken a cat's instincts, forcing him to defend his territory and look for a mate. It is this fact that becomes a signal that it is time to carry out the castration procedure.

We agree with the veterinarian

There may be several indications for castration of a 5-year-old cat. It is very important to carry out such an operation if your pet roams freely on the street, so that unwanted offspring are not born. Unfortunately, this occurs only to certain, especially conscientious owners. What other indications could there be?

Serious genetic diseases. The cat should not pass them on by inheritance.
Cryptorchidism.
Excessive aggression or activity.
Injuries to the reproductive organs.
The pet marks its territory, as we have already discussed.

That is, there may be a recommendation from a veterinarian, on the basis of which the owner will decide on castration. Or, on the contrary, the request comes from the owner of the animal, and the doctor is already determining whether it is worth castrating a 5-year-old cat. In fact, this operation can be performed at a later age. But first you need to make sure that the animal is healthy. That is, you will need to take blood and urine tests and do an ultrasound. This will serve as the basis for admission to the procedure or medical withdrawal, full or temporary. Sometimes castration is prescribed for cats over 7 years old for medical reasons. The cause may be tumors, prostatitis, hormonal disorders.

Natural doubts

There are many myths around this topic, which sometimes prevent the owner from figuring out what is best for his pet. Often a person thinks that the interference becomes more serious with age. Nothing of the kind. Ask any veterinarian whether an adult cat can be neutered. He will answer that it makes no difference whether this procedure is performed on a kitten or an adult animal. Testicles are removed in the same way through an incision in the scrotum.

There is another category of owners. They believe that they are causing an indelible moral injury to the pet, as they are depriving it of the opportunity to reproduce. In addition, there is an opinion that this procedure is performed only up to 7 years of age. It really all depends on your pet's health. In other words, whether it is possible to castrate a cat at a later date will be decided only by the attending physician.

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the operation is not abdominal, it is still an intervention in your pet’s body, so you need to take into account the presence of some restrictions.

Unless there is direct evidence for this, the procedure is not recommended for older animals, 8 years and older. At this age, tissues become flabby, increasing the risk of hernias and pulmonary edema, as well as other complications.
Urolithiasis. It is generally accepted that the animal’s genitourinary system becomes more vulnerable. This is actually a misconception. Castration itself cannot cause this disease. But it leads to a decrease in the animal’s activity and increases the risk of obesity. That is, it contributes to the development of provoking factors.
Cardiac or pulmonary failure, regardless of the cause.
Kidney failure.

The last two points need to be monitored, since the operation is performed under general anesthesia. It inhibits the activity of vital organs, and death can occur right on the operating table.

When surgery doesn't make sense

Quite often, by removing the testes, owners want to correct the behavior of their pet. But in this case we are talking about an adult animal with already formed behavioral habits. Therefore, when a veterinarian is asked whether it is possible to castrate a cat if he is 5 years old, he must explain to the owner that this is not a magical procedure that will make their pet calm, affectionate and flexible in one moment. It makes no sense to remove the testes if:

The pet constantly asks to go outside. Here it’s not even about sexual activity, it’s just more interesting there than at home.
The cat is aggressive. If this is due to the disposition and habits of the animal, then the operation will not help in any way.
The animal has been pooping everywhere for a long time. After the operation, it will no longer leave marks that are needed to attract females. But such a procedure cannot accustom him to the tray. If a cat has chosen a place for the toilet, then it is usually very difficult to retrain it.

Cat food

All doubts on the topic “Is it normal to castrate a cat at 5 years old” are usually associated with the owner’s lack of awareness. In fact, the procedure is not too complicated, but it requires certain corrections in care. In particular, you need to pay attention to the animal’s nutrition. It is advisable to switch to special food so that your pet does not gain excess weight.

In the article I will talk about whether it is possible to castrate a cat at two or five years of age. I will list the reasons for castration, indications and features of the procedure.

Castration is a surgical procedure in which an animal's gonads are removed. Owners do not always castrate kittens at a tender age for various reasons. Some people purposefully purchase an adult pet, and then the question arises of removing the sex glands.

Is it possible to perform this procedure on a cat at 2, 3, 4?

years, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 10 years

Why castrate an adult cat?

A pet can be neutered in adulthood.

This procedure will help eliminate the unpleasant odor that occurs during puberty. It will also relieve the pet itself from unpleasant sensations. But the older the animal, the longer this will take, because sex hormones are produced not only by the ovaries, but also by the pituitary gland.

It will be more difficult for a pet who has already been mated with a cat. Habits last a long time.

Basically, the age for the operation is up to 7 years, and the best age for an adult pet is 5 years. The higher the age, the more contraindications and dangers for the cat’s life.

Indications for castration

Main reasons:

the pet has become aggressive;
marks territory;
sexual desire;
the cat has hereditary diseases and is not suitable for mating;
diseases due to high testosterone levels;
diseases of the appendages and testes.

Peculiarities

When castrating an adult cat, there are some risks and features:

Before the operation, you need to undergo some tests to identify pathologies that may be contraindications for castration.

The veterinarian will perform a general examination and take an anamnesis. For some cats, tests are prescribed:

biochemical blood test;
echocardiography, electrocardiogram;
Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
urine test.

Much depends on the health of the pet; in case of some chronic diseases, heart disease, allergies, castration is dangerous for the pet’s life.

There is no exact guarantee that after castration the animal will change, especially in behavior. The older the animal, the stronger its habits. Therefore, it is possible that the animal will also conquer territory and even, only with urine. Maybe over time the instincts will fade away, but this will not happen quickly.

It is important to follow a diet after castration, because cats are prone to obesity.

Of course, it is better to castrate a cat before the age of one year. But if for some reason this is not possible, then you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Remember, the older the animal, the more difficult it is for him to undergo this operation.

Castration procedure

Pros of castration

Most often, the animal stops marking its territory.
Aggression and night screams disappear.
The risk of developing urolithiasis is reduced.
Neutered people usually live longer.

Character and temperament

Why castrate an adult cat?

Age-related deterioration of character.
The arrival of a new family member.
New pet.
Change of residence.

We agree with the veterinarian

Serious genetic diseases. The cat should not pass them on by inheritance.
Cryptorchidism.
Excessive aggression or activity.
Injuries to the reproductive organs.
The pet marks its territory, as we have already discussed.

Natural doubts

Contraindications

Despite the fact that the operation is not abdominal, it is still an intervention in your pet’s body, so you need to take into account the presence of some restrictions.

Unless there is direct evidence for this, the procedure is not recommended for older animals, 8 years and older. At this age, tissues become flabby, increasing the risk of hernias and pulmonary edema, as well as other complications.
Urolithiasis. It is generally accepted that the animal’s genitourinary system becomes more vulnerable. This is actually a misconception. Castration itself cannot cause this disease. But it leads to a decrease in the animal’s activity and increases the risk of obesity. That is, it contributes to the development of provoking factors.
Cardiac or pulmonary failure, regardless of the cause.
Kidney failure.

The last two points need to be monitored, since the operation is performed under general anesthesia. It inhibits the activity of vital organs, and death can occur right on the operating table.

When surgery doesn't make sense

The pet constantly asks to go outside. Here it’s not even about sexual activity, it’s just more interesting there than at home.
The cat is aggressive. If this is due to the disposition and habits of the animal, then the operation will not help in any way.
The animal has been pooping everywhere for a long time. After the operation, it will no longer leave marks that are needed to attract females. But such a procedure cannot accustom him to the tray. If a cat has chosen a place for the toilet, then it is usually very difficult to retrain it.

Cat food

Not all cats end up in a person’s home as young creatures; some are just so lucky. At the same time, owners have to solve the problem of limiting the sexual activity of an animal in any case.

An adult, non-neutered cat can “get” everyone in the household with its behavior

He will leave terrible smelling marks everywhere, tear up furniture, and struggle to be free, and will not calm down until he gets what he wants - and after a short time everything will happen again.

What is special about castration of an adult cat?

During the operation to castrate an adult cat

Castration of an adult cat is no different from castration of a kitten under one year old: the testicles are removed in the same way through a small incision in the scrotum.

But many owners of adult cats decide with great caution to visit a veterinarian about this. Firstly, it seems to them that they are inflicting indelible moral trauma on their pet, depriving it of the opportunity to reproduce. Secondly, it is believed that The age limit for castration of an adult cat is 7 years.

However, in practice, veterinarians often perform other, more complex operations on them, and mostly everything goes well. And attributing moral torment to cats has no basis.

Castration of cats over 7 years of age is sometimes prescribed for medical reasons: tumors, prostatitis, hormonal disorders, serious trauma to the genital organs.

Bengal seven year old cat. He gave excellent offspring, but according to doctors, he had to be castrated.

Older stud cats who have already made their contribution to the breed and are no longer involved in matings are also castrated. It is better to make such a decision together with the club management and a veterinarian you know.

Will the cat survive such an operation?

The main reason for caution is the health of the animal.

Before castrating an adult cat, a medical examination is required!

Whether the pet's heart can withstand this is a decisive question. A conscientious specialist will definitely send him for a cardiogram before starting to prepare the cat for surgery. It is also important to predict how the cat will tolerate anesthesia.

There are cases of anesthesia intolerance among both adults and young animals.

It is quite difficult to predict this, but one way or another you will have to rely on the conclusion of a cardiologist, and in addition to this you can do. Kidneys– their condition is also carefully checked and assessed: in cats they are already, in principle, very vulnerable, and especially in adult cats.

Consequences of castration

Most likely, the instincts of an adult cat are registered in memory. .

The sexual habits of an adult cat can, if not nullify, then greatly complicate the process of restructuring the functioning of his body. An adult cat has probably already bred with cats, so Not in all cases it is possible to suppress sexual instincts with the help of castration.

An adult cat may suffer from chronic diseases for which surgery is contraindicated.

Organic pathologies, sluggish chronic viral infections, diabetes - if the cat has a severe diagnosis, then the owners will either have to abandon surgical castration in favor of an alternative, or contact the most highly qualified specialists.

Preparing for surgery and caring for the animal after it

A cat can be castrated only after the necessary tests have been completed. It is important to remember that all surgical operations, except the most emergency ones, are performed only on an empty stomach.

You can no longer feed 12 hours before surgery, and drink 3 hours before!

The last meal before going under anesthesia should be at least 12 hours before. . All this is important in order to prevent vomiting and the entry of vomit into the animal’s respiratory tract.

Experience of mass castration and sterilization of stray animals

Volunteer practice in many cities shows that there should be no serious consequences after castration.

After all, it is mainly adult, sexually mature animals that are castrated, limiting the increase in the street population. Many veterinarians associated with volunteers primarily engage in castration and sterilization, as they say, on-line. All cats and cats operated by them successfully recover from anesthesia and either return to their usual environment or are sent to foster care with subsequent placement.

– a common reason for visiting a veterinary clinic. Theoretically, sterilization allows you to make the “beast” calmer and more flexible. Today, all veterinarians agree that older cats should be sterilized. But what if you need to castrate your cat at 5 years old? We hasten to reassure you - surgery at this age is quite acceptable, albeit with some reservations.

Firstly, many owners show a commendable degree of civic consciousness: they do not want their pet to become one of the reasons for the increase in the number of stray animals.

Remember that every year hundreds of thousands of kittens end up on the streets. Most of them die, others grow up... and become “fail-safe” carriers of a wide variety of diseases.

In shelters, even if a kitten ends up there, the living conditions are also far from ideal. Many stray cats have to be euthanized. So castration is a benefit both for the cat itself and for the entire ecosystem.

In addition, in the practice of professional breeders there are often cases when a five-year-old cat was diagnosed with some kind of disease, with a probability of more than 90% being hereditary. Such animals must be excluded from the reproduction process (which, unfortunately, unscrupulous breeders often do not do).

These include the following diseases: cryptorchidism, polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is a real scourge of Persians, amyloidosis. The latter is again characteristic of long-suffering Persians and, partly, Siamese cats.

There are hundreds of other pathologies for which “precautionary” castration is recommended.

But preventing unwanted kittens is not the only purpose of neutering. It is known that all cats can suffer from diseases directly related to high testosterone levels. These include: prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, prostatic abscesses, perianal or perineal adenomas (small growths found around the anus of some animals), perineal hernias. Occasionally – dermatoses of the skin of the scrotum. Thus, castration is a good prevention of all these ailments.

If the cat is already an adult, then after sterilization the risks of these diseases are reduced slightly than if compared with sterilization of kittens (but still reduced). Much more often, in the case of adult animals, depletion is resorted to when it already suffers from one of the pathologies described above.

This, in particular, includes all types of diseases of the testes and their appendages. It is difficult to get testicular disease if you do not have testicles... These types of diseases include: cancer of the testicles and appendages, orchitis (testicular inflammation of an infectious or non-infectious nature), epididymitis (a similar inflammation of the appendages), serious injuries and abscesses of the testicles.

A little about behavior

I would like to dwell separately on the advisability of castration for the sake of “treating” aggressive or simply inappropriate behavior of a cat. It is generally accepted that sterilization helps to cope with these problems. But is this really so?

As you know, the testes are responsible for the synthesis of testosterone, that is, the male sex hormone. Its physiological essence is such that any non-castrated cat is by nature more aggressive when compared with its deprived relatives: i.e. he will always strive to conquer part of the territory and possess females, for the sake of which he will enter into fights with other animals (and not necessarily cats - during the “March games” pets sometimes attack even dogs).

In addition, it is hypothetically believed that such animals are more susceptible to aggression towards humans. They are more prone to exhibiting undesirable behaviors, including, for example, the widespread practice of feline marking in the home. pungent-smelling urine is not the best gift from your beloved cat.

But that’s not even what interests us. How true is the claim of many veterinarians and breeders that your pet is calmer and more flexible? If we talk about kittens, then in many ways this is true. But the situation with five-year-old cats, alas, is completely different.

The fact is that by this age, stable behavioral paradigms and reflex arcs have already formed in the animal’s brain. Simply put, if the pet was already and constantly marked before castration, the operation will help solve these problems only in the long term, and even then without any special guarantees.

Important! Sterilization of animals can reduce some behavioral aspects of adult cats, but only within certain limits and after a reasonable period of time (six months or more).

Features of surgical intervention

Adult pets are almost always under general anesthesia, since local anesthesia in this case cannot guarantee the absence of painful shock and other unpleasant consequences. Thus, “elderly” cats are usually quite strong, and the introduction of anesthetic drugs prevents cases where the animal breaks out of the fixation devices during surgery.

In addition, sedatives are useful because they reduce the pain effect even after the pet recovers from anesthesia. This is very important, since it is this property that allows the animal to sleep peacefully and return to normal without suffering from pain in the operated scrotum.

In addition, during anesthesia, a “cocktail” of drugs is administered that have the following effects: a decrease in salivation (i.e., salivation) and the secretion of digestive enzymes; stabilization of blood pressure; expansion of the bronchi and bronchioles (so that hypoxia does not develop during the procedure), etc.

Generally, anesthesia is given by intravenous injection of anesthetic agents. The inhalation method of anesthesia today, as a rule, is not used: the procedure is too long, it has many side effects (including pulmonary edema and death).

For older animals, intubation is recommended. A special tube is inserted into the animal's trachea. This measure allows you to avoid hypoxia and other dangerous consequences. For example, the likelihood of vomit entering the respiratory system is sharply reduced.

Carrying out the operation

The procedure itself is practically no different from the deprivation of younger animals. Thus, castration of an adult cat also involves carefully trimming and shaving the skin of the scrotum. It is very important to achieve perfect cleanliness: if hair gets into the wound canal, severe inflammation cannot be avoided. This is done when the animal has already been administered anesthetic drugs.

Then the skin is disinfected by applying antiseptic compounds two or three times (for example, a regular alcohol tincture of iodine). The operation is carried out in a general manner: all layers of the scrotum are dissected, the testicular ligament is cut, a clamp and ligature are applied to the vessels and vas deferens. The organ is cut off and the stump is cauterized with iodine.