What are the benefits of neutering?

Females - unless she is neutered a female cat will come into season three or four times a year and she could be having litters of kittens almost constantly throughout her life. Motherhood takes a lot out of a cat and having several litters is likely to shorten her life expectancy. The behaviour of a female cat in season changes varies markedly - she may appear nervous, she may either hide away or seek your constant attention. She will also advertise her availability to potential mates by spraying urine around the house and garden and she is likely to roll around on the floor on her back. Unless you want a female to have a litter of kittens she must be kept inside away from tomcats during each season. Neutering will stop the changes that occurs with every season and prevent these unwelcome changes in her behaviour.
Males - uncastrated tomcats will patrol a wide area in search of a mate and can detect a female in season over long distances. A tomcat who wanders is more likely to be involved in a car accident or become involved in fights with other males. This brings a risk of physical injury and infection with dangerous viruses such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus which is mostly spread by biting. Tomcats also mark their territory - including parts of your house - with their urine. This has a powerful and extremely unpleasant smell which is often difficult to get rid of.

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