Boy cats...

[k9krazee]

My mom said that she would absolutely never ever get a boy cat. She has heard way to many horror stories of them spraying in the house and I know that lots of people do have indoor boy kitties, have you ever had any problem with this sort of thing?

My mom fell in love with Jasper when she thought that he was a she and debated about giving him back because of her phobia of male cats...Jasper has grown on her and she would never part with him now but maybe if she knew that not all boy cats horrible peeing machines it might make her feel better.

We also want to get him neutered right away, how young is too young? The shelter will do it for $25 as young as 8 weeks. It just sounds way to young to me! Jasper is 11 weeks tomorrow!

So I guess my questions are
1) Are boy cats as awful as we hear?
2) How young is too young to be neutered?

I appreciate any help! Thanks!!
Heres another pic!

[momcat]

Hi! Jasper is a real sweetie, it's easy to see why your Mom doesn't want to part with him. I got my boy kitty Groucho when he was seven weeks old and he was four this past March. He has never been any kind of a problem..... never sprayed in the house, he has never missed the litter box, and has never gotten into the trash when we weren't around. In fact, Groucho has never done anything nasty or horrible. He's a very good natured, affectionate, and friendly little guy. Each cat has their own distinct personality and temprement. Most likely, little girl kittys can also show some not so nice traits. Boy cats can be great, I hope your Mom will give him a chance.

Does your shelter do any kind of tests before neutering just to make sure that kitty doesn't have any hidden health problems and there's only a minimal risk of any complications during the procedure? You might want to ask a vet about the appropiate age to have a cat neutered and take it from there. My standard approach with Groucho is pretty basic: when in doubt, ask the vet. Tummy rubs to Jasper.....

[krazyaboutkatz]

Hi. I love male cats and I've only owned male cats. They've always been neutered and in California there's a law now that says that rescue groups and shelters must spay or neuter cats and dogs before they're adopted out. Kittens are usually neutered and spayed when they're about 2lbs and about 10-12weeks old. My RB Pepper was already neutered when I adopted him at 9 weeks old. I've never had a problem with spraying and neutering will generally take care of that problem. Good luck, Jasper sure is a cutie pie.

[Maryon]

We always had male cats when I was growing up--in fact Indy, my girl now, is the first female cat I've ever had. Boy cats, I've found, are generally mellower than girls. I would neuter on the early side--we had a cat, Tiger, who got fixed on the late side, and we did have a bit of a spraying problem with him. (He was born on a farm, and was a bit territorial--we had another male cat in the house at the time.)

Jasper looks like an absolute darling. A fuzzy white puff!
--M

[Shady]

Jasper is adorable.

I have two males and one RB male. My vet said no neutering or spaying before the age of six months, all four of mine were done exactly then. I have never had any trouble with spraying with any of the males. The vet said six months is the safest time and when they begin to sexually mature that's when the spraying and other nasty behaviour 'can' start.

[RedHedd]

I only had female cats until I met Mishi and I debated long and hard before adopting him because I, too, had heard all the horror stories, but his little face just tugged at my heart and I took a leap of faith and made him mine. I have NEVER regretted it! He is the MOST loving, adorable, loyal and silliest cat I've ever had the pleasure of being the guardian of. I've never had a problem with him spraying - he was neutered when I adopted him.

Jasper looks like such a sweetie! Go for it! Get him neutered when the time is right and I'm sure you'll never regret adopting a boybee!

[Don Juan's mom]

Don Juan was neutered at the time I adopted him, when he was about 18 months old. He has NEVER, repeat, NEVER sprayed.

Liz

[Felix]

Hi Jasper is sooooooo CUTE!!!

I have a Male cat as well had him since he was 8 weeks old and i couldnt have asked for a better cat ...no really he has never done anything out of the way!! I also got him neutered when he was 7 1/2 mths old. That was late though because i was going to get him declawed at the same time,but after going through the pros and cons i decided that i didnt want him declawed because there were too many risks involved.Felix has never sprayed or missed his litter box I must admit i was a bit ify about getting a male cat for the same reason.I phoned around to vets before i went to get a kitty and they told me that male cats were less agressive then females,and that its not necessary that all male cats spray and that getting the cat neutered sure does help.Good luck with your Kitty!!!

[smokey the elder]

There shouldn't be any problems; I've never had troubles with my own males or fosters; they were all neutered by 6 months old.

Jasper is such a sweet white poof!

[k9krazee]

Thanks everyone for all their comments ! Jasper is soo sweet and gets along great with the dogs, we could have not asked for a better fit for our family! We will definately talk to the vet about an appropriate neutering age.

I will show this thread to my mom and hopefully it will ease her worries! Thank you!

[moosmom]

Jasper is SWEET!!!

I have 2 boys and 5 girls. I had 3 boys at one time and never had a problem. All my cats are fixed and NONE of them have ever sprayed, even while I've brought in fosters. I think your mom is worried for nothing.

I would get your kitty fixed as soon as possible. Neutering is alot less of an operation than spaying.

[BigCharles]

Originally posted by Felix
Hi Jasper is sooooooo CUTE!!!

Yes he is. If you guys turn out not to want him, then send him to me. I'll find a way to hide him from my other two and make sure that Cindy does not find him.

Hey Jasper! Pee E V R E Y W H E R E ! ! ! Just kidding.

I have a boy and girl cat. She is the dominant one. Then Lamoni is such a gentle giant. Best of luck with him. If he feels safe and secure then he won't need to mark. Teach him to rub all the corners and door posts with his face. Don't wash THAT off.

[dragonchilde]

I've got five, three of whom are males... and my boys are my favorites. They're sweeter, more laid back. The important thing is to have them altered before they reach full sexual maturity. Once they start spraying, it's hard to stop.

With that said, my oldest, Tinkerbell, still sprayed after he was neutered at 7 or 8 months, but interestingly enough, he never sprayed in the house, only when he went outside. I'm thinking it was the other cats triggering him to do it.

Mozart was neutered at 6, and he has yet to start. (I'm thinking he's just under a year, atm, but I haven't done the math in a while.)

My girls? More territorial and likely to pee than the boys are.

[crazmeese]

boy cats are just as wonderfull as girl cats. my cat diego is the sweetest boy cat youll ever meet.

[k9krazee]

Well Jasper went to the vet to get neutered today! The vet said that as long as he was over 2 pounds (he is a chunky man at 3.5 ) then everything should be okay! We dropped him off this morning and my mom will pick him up after work. Its soo weird not having him here! Whenever I'm on the computer he likes to sit on my lap and attack me! I can't wait until hes home again!!!!