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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Do kitten behaviours change much after neutering?

24 replies

code · 19/12/2014 12:38

My burmese boys are coming up to 19 weeks and booked in for op in 3 weeks.

I appreciate its a low risk op and physically they are likely to be fine and recover quickly/immediately, it will lower risk of spraying, fighting, etc.

I just wondered if I should expect changes to behaviour? They are snuggly and lovely. However their mad hours and play fights are quite mental and becoming more so as they mature.

OP posts:

chockbic · 19/12/2014 13:02

Mine was done at four months old and he's definitely calmed down. He's less slashy and bitey now but still has his moments.

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 13:06

That's good to know that they might get a little calmer. We know to keep our feet (and any extremities come to that) well out of the way of their claws and teeth when they're having a mad hour. They are very close with us and each other and I'd like them to stay that way so hopefully the neuter will help.

OP posts:

RubbishMantra · 19/12/2014 13:13

Mine is still mad. But he was never really a bitey/swipey type. He just runs around the house at full speed making strange noises, leaving destruction in his wake, or throwing loo rolls down the stairs. Unfortunately he still enjoys humping his bed. He's doing it as I type. Shameless puss.

chockbic · 19/12/2014 13:16

RubbishMantra · 19/12/2014 13:26

He's just approached me purring his head off, full of post coital bliss.

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 13:28

lol, they haven't started the humping yet but all other behaviours are checked. I think because they rough play and enjoy it they think we want to join in too. I should probably be flattered.

OP posts:

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 13:30

They are both snuggled on my lap for the last 2 hours (never an empty lap in this house) and are waking up and licking me and each other. Soon they will escalate into biting each others necks and we'll be off again.

OP posts:

chockbic · 19/12/2014 13:35

At least they have each other to take it out on

RubbishMantra · 19/12/2014 13:45

Have you got some interactive toys, that encourage them to stay away from hands/arms? I recommend this toy so often, you probably think I'm on commission: Flying Frenzy My boys go mental for it. They particularly like the wiggly worm refill.

It sounds like there's a bit of a tussle for dominance. They should become less violent after neutering. That said, my 9 month old and 5 year old still rampage about the house chasing each other and wrestling. It can look quite violent, but it's obvious they luffs each other really.

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 14:26

Yeah I have flying frenzy and all the attachments plus a laser pointer and other dangly things on sticks. I employ them to distract / tire out when it gets too much. They are always snuggled and playing together and if one disappears the other calls for him. They're pretty well matched when they play fight. One is 'in charge' more. No injuries - if it gets too tough one speaks and the other backs off. I just don't think they realise we aren't as tough and it hurts us more. I keep still if they get me and say ow and they do back off but it hurts when you get a claw. They don't bite hard, more of a chew

OP posts:

MrsPepperMintonCandyCane · 19/12/2014 14:28

Buster is a loon still but without the trying to hump my arm and biting in an aggressive way. It just calmed him a bit. I'd love him to be a lap cat but he isn't

AugustRose · 19/12/2014 14:43

I'm hoping ours will calm down after his op in about 3 weeks time - he's 15 weeks and a nutter, he can be very bitey and scratchy! He can be calm and cuddly but when he starts he runs around the walls for about an hour a time. He really wants someone to play with him but our older cat (11) doesn't want anything to do with him, she just pins him down and hits him until he gets the message :(

RubbishMantra · 19/12/2014 15:21

"she just pins him down and hits him until he gets the message"

cozietoesie · 19/12/2014 16:51

.....still rampage about the house chasing each other and wrestling. It can look quite violent.......

I'd rather have that than the deadly, hate-filled silences that Seniorboy lays down in front of The Lodger. You just know he's thinking about exciting ways to murder him.

They should be fine, code. Neutering seems to lessen any aggression but leave their basic characters intact.

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 17:42

Lovely, I shall look forward to the de plummed calmer versions. Their little furry dangles look so cute it's quite sad they will be no more. Will stop me worrying about inadvertent castration when they are doing that holding on and kicking the other with the back legs thing though

OP posts:

Moln · 19/12/2014 17:45

Mine is still bonkers

He was neutered at the earliest age possible

cozietoesie · 19/12/2014 17:53

Nothing to be done if he's basically bonkers, Moln. You'll just have to hope that he gains some gravitas with increasing years - and remember what he might have been like if you'd added hormones to the mix!

RubbishMantra · 19/12/2014 19:22

Poor old Lodger. I imagine Monsieur Seniorboy to be a kind of Evil genius. Obviously it won't be so apparent to you Cozie, cos he's your snuffly wuffly purry babby!

Original poster

code · 19/12/2014 19:42

Is lodger an actual lodger or is he one who stayed on a'la Rising Damp?

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 19/12/2014 19:50

He stayed on.

NameChange30 · 19/12/2014 19:58

Our kittens definitely alternate between cuddly and crazy They're 4 months old and being neutered in a month. I'm hoping once they can go outside they'll be less likely to jump up onto the dining table and kitchen worktop, and knock over the plants... possibly. #optimistic

abigamarone · 19/12/2014 20:22

Ours are still as mad, but there does seem to be a little less of the 'attempting to mount one another' behaviour, and we can leave the house without them attempting an escape every time you approach a door. They were done round about September.

Fluffycloudland77 · 19/12/2014 20:26

Take tissues, you might get a bit emotional on the drive home after dropping them off.

It'll be fine.

Moln · 19/12/2014 21:27

He's not fighty/bitey bonkers cozietoesie so I can live with it!!! I shall always be entertain at the way he hides behind the curtain and jumps out at (not cat loving) DH each morning

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