My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression? He's a total purr
box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
will?
Thanks!
PawsForThought - 24 Jun 2005 16:28 GMT
> My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
> is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression? He's a total purr
> box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
> will?
>
> Thanks!
Hi Buckley's mom,
Neutering may help curb Buckley's aggression. It may take a couple of
months for his hormone levels to subside. As to the biting, there are
a few things you can do. Firstly, never use your hands when you play
with him. Always use toys instead. Second, if he bites you, stop the
play, tell him firmly no, and then ignore him, or give him a 5 minute
time out in the bedroom. When my cat Mickey was about Buckley's age,
he also became very bity (he was neutered at 5 months). I would tell
him no, say "no bite" and then blow in his face. He eventually got the
message that biting was not good behavior and he doesn't bite anymore
(unless I give him catnip, or he's becomes too wound up from playing).
Lauren
Mary - 24 Jun 2005 16:30 GMT
> My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
> is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression? He's a total purr
> box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
> will?
He is not too old for neutering to curb his aggressiveness. As for the
bitiness,
a loud OW! and ceasing to play as soon as he bites works for some, or even
placing him in isolation the minute he bites or tries. If he bites when you
are
petting him he might just be getting overstimulated, so you need to be
careful
and stop petting him before he gets to that point. (Boy cats bite the
scruffs of
girl cats when they try to mate with them, too.)
Good for you for getting Buckley neutered!! Keep us posted on his recovery.
Karen - 24 Jun 2005 16:46 GMT
It will probably help. Give him about 30 days for hormones to go down. But
you can also teach him not to bite by complete stopping whatever interaction
you are doing and ignoring him for a little while. My Pearl is a biter and
she now has gotten very good about it.
> My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
> is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression? He's a total purr
> box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
> will?
>
> Thanks!
Phil P. - 24 Jun 2005 17:07 GMT
> My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
> is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression?
Neutering doesn't affect fear aggression or predatory aggression but it does
reduce male dominant aggression and territorial aggression a great deal.
Neutered males tolerate handling better and give more affection- so be
careful not to over-stimulate him. They're also more playful, so, be
careful how you play with him- use a toy- don't use your hands.
He's a total purr
> box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
> will?
If he bites when handled, neutering should help a lot. Also, don't use your
hands when you play with him, you'll be teaching him your hands are toys.
Phil
dgk - 24 Jun 2005 19:36 GMT
>My cat Buckley went in for neutering today. He's about 9 -10 months old --
>is he to old for it to have any impact on his aggression? He's a total purr
>box but has also become very bity! If neutering doesn't help this, what
>will?
>
>Thanks!
Espy bites somewhat. Not hard, just as part of playing. It never
really bothered me, I guess because it is never hard. If he does it
just right then he ends up with a finger in his mouth. I pet his
tongue and tickle the roof of his mouth. It's about the only time that
I get to see what is going on with his teeth. He never lets me open
his mouth up for a quick dental check.