Quick Answer
Yes, neutered male cats can still show interest in and be attracted to female cats in heat. Neutering significantly reduces, but does not completely eliminate, male sexual behaviors and urges. The degree to which a neutered cat remains attracted to females depends on factors like when they were neutered and their unique personality. With proper precautions, attraction and mating behaviors can be managed in neutered cats.
Do Neutered Male Cats Still Have Sexual Urges?
Neutering, also known as castration, involves surgical removal of a male cat’s testicles. The goal of neutering is to prevent unwanted reproduction by eliminating the main source of the male sex hormone testosterone. However, testosterone is also produced in smaller amounts by other tissues like the adrenal glands. For this reason, neutering does not completely remove all circulating testosterone or eliminate all male sexual behaviors.
Studies have shown that approximately 40-50% of neutered cats will continue to demonstrate some male-typical mating behaviors. These behaviors include:
- Mounting and thrusting motions
- Urine marking/spraying
- Increased vocalization and wandering
- Aggression towards other males
The strength of any remaining sexual urges depends on factors like:
- The cat’s age at time of neutering – In general, cats neutered before 6 months of age retain fewer male sexual behaviors than those neutered later.
- Time since surgery – Sexual behaviors often decrease over time after neutering.
- Breed – Some breeds like Siamese are more likely to retain behaviors post-neutering.
- Individual personality – Every cat is different in terms of drive and personality.
So while neutering drastically curbs male sexual behaviors in cats, some interest and urges usually remain to varying degrees.
Are Neutered Cats Attracted to Females in Heat?
Female cats enter a period of heat, also called estrus, when they are fertile. This happens every 2-3 weeks in non-neutered females during breeding season. When in heat, female cats attract potential mates through loud vocalizing and changes in scent. Even neutered male cats may remain strongly interested in the potent sights, sounds and smells of a female in heat.
One study found that 87% of neutered male cats were still attracted to and attempted to mate with estrous females. Other signs of a neutered male’s continuing interest include:
- Increased vocalization and roaming to find females in heat
- Interest and aggression towards other males competing for the female
- Attempted mounting and mating behaviors
- Blocking the female’s escape from mating
Though neutered males lack viable sperm, their continued sexual advances can still result in penetration and pseudopregnancy in the female. So most neutered cats retain substantial sexual attraction and response to estrous females. The intensity varies based on the individual cat and other factors as described.
Do Female Cats Still Attract Neutered Males?
Female cats in heat release powerful pheromones that can attract males from great distances. These airborne chemical signals are emitted at concentrations up to 30 times higher when a female is in estrus. Even after neutering, male cats have functional scent receptors that detect these pheromones.
Female behaviors when in heat also grab the attention of neutered males. These include:
- Loud, frequent yowling
- Excessive rubbing and rolling on the floor
- Repeated trips in and out of the house
- Restlessness and decrease in appetite
- Raising hindquarters when approached
- Excessive grooming of genitals
The powerful smells and overt signals displayed by estrous females almost always cause sexual interest and physical responses in neutered male cats. Females in heat become the center of a neutered male’s attention and attraction.
Will Neutered Males Try to Mate with Females in Heat?
The primary behaviors shown by neutered male cats around estrous females include:
- Increased vocalization like yowling
- Approaching and following the female persistently
- Grasping and holding the female’s neck in their bite
- Licking and smelling the female’s genitals
- Mounting attempts and pelvic thrusting motions
- Blocking the female if she tries to escape
- Aggression toward competing males
These mating behaviors are driven by the neutered male’s residual sex drive and the presence of a receptive female. While troublesome, the behaviors serve no reproductive purpose. Without viable sperm, the neutered male cannot impregnate the female.
However, the forceful nature of their advances can still cause female injury. And females may develop pseudopregnancy symptoms like weight gain, nesting behaviors and even milk production after too much unwanted mating stimulation.
Neutering & Cat Mating Behaviors
Here is a summary of how neutering affects mating behaviors in cats:
| Before Neutering | After Neutering |
|---|---|
| Intact males have high testosterone levels and a strong, constant sex drive. | Neutering removes the testicles, main source of testosterone. This significantly decreases male sexual behaviors in most cats. |
| Unneutered males are highly attracted to female cats in heat and exhibit mating behaviors. | Most neutered males remain attracted to females in heat and display mating behaviors, though less intensely. |
| Intact male cats can reproduce and impregnate females in heat. | Without sperm, neutered males cannot impregnate females, though mating attempts still occur. |
Though neutered male cats have a reduced sex drive, they often retain interest in and attraction to estrous female cats. Proper precautions are needed to manage this behavior.
Managing Neutered Males Around Females in Heat
Neutered male sexual behaviors towards females can disrupt households and cause problems. Here are some tips for managing neutered males when females are in heat:
- Keep males and females separated – Keep cats housed in different rooms with the female in a quiet low-traffic area during her heat period.
- Use pheromone plugins – Products like Feliway provide synthetic pheromones that help minimize tension and reactivity.
- Distract with playtime and toys – Use wand toys and interactive play to engage the neutered male’s attention elsewhere.
- Talk to your vet – Medications may help curb sexual behaviors in persistent cases. Vets can advise you on appropriate options.
- Spay the female – The only sure way to eliminate female heat cycles and behaviors is to spay the cat.
Proper early neutering, environmental changes and pheromones are key to managing sexual behaviors in neutered males around estrous females. Consulting a vet is also recommended.
Are Male Cats Less Affectionate After Neutering?
Many owners worry that neutering their male cat will change his personality and affect how affectionate he is. The good news is that neutering has minimal effects on male cat personality and sociability.
In fact, neutered males often become more affectionate and better companions after the surgery. Reasons for this include:
- Reduced aggression and roaming – With lower testosterone, neutered males tend to be less territorially aggressive and wander less.
- Increased dependency – With less roaming impulse, neutered cats may become more reliant on owners for support and affection.
- More calmness – The surgery and hormone changes make most neutered males more mellow and docile over time.
- Less sexual frustration – With fewer mating urges, neutered males can focus more on bonding with owners.
So neutering should not negatively impact a male cat’s affectionate personality. It often makes them more attached, calm and affectionate pets. Make sure to continue providing your cat with healthy outlets like playtime and enrichment after neutering.
Do Female Cats Change After Spaying?
Like neutering in males, spaying – removal of the ovaries and uterus – alters sex hormones in female cats. This reduces the intensity and frequency of their heat cycles.
Overall, spaying causes the following changes in female cat behavior:
- Elimination of heat cycles – No more loud yowling, restlessness and mating behaviors every 2-3 weeks.
- Reduced roaming – With no reproductive drive, spayed females roam and try to escape the home less.
- Decreased aggression – Removed ovaries mean less estrogen, which reduces territorial aggression towards other females.
- More affection and bonding – Less restlessness from heat cycles allows spayed females to focus more attention on owners.
Like neutered males, spayed females often become calmer, less aggressive to other cats, and more content to relax and bond with their owners. Overall, spaying makes female cats better, more affectionate companions.
Conclusion
Though neutering significantly reduces male sexual behaviors, neutered cats can still show interest in and be attracted to females in heat. Their mating advances remain driven by lingering hormonal influences and the female cat’s strong visual and olfactory signals when in estrus.
Neutered male attractions and behaviors can be managed through proper early neutering, pheromones, separation during female heats, and sometimes medication. With the right precautions, neutered male cats can coexist in mixed households with females. Their quality of life and affection for owners remain high after neutering when cats are provided with proper care and enrichment.
