If a tom is to be kept in an apartment, neutering is really the only course open to the owner and a responsible owner will neuter any tom not being kept deliberately for stud . If this were more commonly done the misery of unwanted and abandoned kittens might gradually disappear. As a result the domestic cat might become something of a rarity, and accordingly be more valued appreciated. A neutered cat becomes more affectionate and will roam less. Given sufficient opportunity for exercise, which can also be provided by playing with the animal, the neutered tom need by no means become fat, lethargic and lazy. If the young tom is neutered early enough, its sexual instinct will be destroyed. If alteration is left until after puberty, the tom’s sexual drive will gradually abate. A female can also be sterilized by an operation, or spayed, removing its ovaries. It is difficult to keep sexually mature cats shut indoors while they are on heat. The queen (female) will become increasingly over-stimulated, which will result in her heat periods occurring in more and more rapid succession. This can produce a change in the temperament of the animal, making her difficult and aggressive and even unclean. It may also lead to serious medical problems. Sterilization of the tom or queen will in no way adversely affect the characteristics that endear them to us. There may be a slightly higher incidence of some geriatric skin conditions and other problems of hormone balance but they can be treated and these cats would probably have suffered from them anyway. They are negligible compared with the other problems avoided.
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