Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My outdoor male cat fights. Can neutering prevent future attacks?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 7 months and 24 days old

My male cat is 7 months old . He has beaten by local old male cat brutally . it is almost impossible for us to stop our pet from going outside & this case has happened several times. So what can I do? Should I do neutered to my cat?doing Neutered my cat can be a solution of this problem?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Mara Howard, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 16th, 2017

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Vanilla has been having issues with another cat. While neutering may help improve the problem, it may not resolve it completely, especially if the other cat is neutered. As you mentioned, ideally Vanilla would be an indoor only cat to ensure that he doesn't get into any fights, and his desire to roam may lessen with neutering as well. I would recommend he be neutered, and you try your best to keep him inside as much as you can to eliminate the possibility of a fight. Good luck!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 17th, 2019
Yes, castration might help. It is not a guarantee but it is your best chance at preventing the fighting. At his age the behavior may already be ingrained in him. It is always best to castrate them early (like 4-6 months of age).
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Training & Behavior

My cat fights other cats. Will neutering stop territorial behavior?

Neutering will help him from running off and fighting. It will unlikely stop him from fighting to protect where he lives and his food. He should be tested for feline leukemia and aids though as this can be a fatal disease and he may continue to spread it if he keeps fighting. The other cat likely will need to be caught, neutered and released to minimize the behaviour

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Will neutering my aggressive male cat stop him attacking my other cat?

Neutering male cats is one of the most effective ways of limiting inter-cat aggression. There are no guarantees, but castration is definitely the first and best thing worth trying. If you are worried about the two cats hurting one another, I would keep them separated for the time being. Even after the castration there will still be some residual hormones left in the body for a short while. I would consider keeping the two separated for at least a week or two post-operatively before reintroduction. Hope this makes sense.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Why is my male cat aggressive, hissing, biting, and fighting? Is neutering the answer?

Hi and thank you for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! These can be common behaviors in male cats that are not neutered. I would recommend neutering him soon to help decrease these behaviors a bit. In addition, neutering him will help lessen the risks of cancers later in life as well as help decrease the feral cat population.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Can neutering an older cat stop roaming, fighting, and marking?

Neutering will keep him from roaming as much although if he continues to go outside he may still fight with other cats. The urine marking in the house may stop but there is no guarantee as he is already older. If they are neutered young (like less than 6 months of age) then that behaviour is virtually non-existent. So, to answer your question......maybe some of the bad behaviours will stop but there is no guarantee. Regardless, it is better to have him neutered and I highly recommend it.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

Will neutering stop my male cat's aggression and make him stay home?

Hi. Yes, neutering will help Toby want to stay home more and hopefully make him less likely to fight. It can take a couple of months after the surgery for his testosterone levels to completely drop but neutering typically does resolve a lot of male to male aggression in cats.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Training & Behavior

How to stop my neutered cat from attacking the neighbor's cat?

In my experience the only way to keep cats from fighting each other is to keep them indoors or to supervise all outdoor activity. This is likely territorial aggression but there is no way to explain to him that this other cat isn't a threat, and if you're not with him at all times when he's outside you can't intervene when he attacks the other cat. You could try training Khan to wear a harness and take him on walks - this definitely requires dedication and some cats will not tolerate a harness and leash.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Should I neuter stray male cats I feed to prevent tomcat fights?

Yes you can take them into the vet to have them neutered if they don’t have owners. That would be lovely of you! It will cut down on fighting, but keeping them indoors all the time. will prevent any fighting. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share