How difficult or annoying is it to deal with an intact cat? I've only had two cats, and both were fixed, and I've heard stories from other people that they're difficult or annoying. Like males spraying all the time and females yowling. Are they always like this, can you prevent it, or are they just fiction????
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I have visited breeders facilities and every time the wind changes it set the whole lot of them off when the males and the females catch each others scent. In some less caring establishments these cats rarely get out of their cages and they constantly cry out for any kind of companionship or attention.
J C
I'm not a breeder, I'm involved with rescue, and I've had a lot of (temporarily) intact cats. The male spraying issue and urine REEK is so bad, that my vet and I jokingly call getting them neutered an "emergency". Intact males spray. That is what their hormones tell them to do. Breeders put up with it, as it's a necessity. They have special rooms for the males (with ventilation of course) so that they spraying is contained, and easier to clean up. Many breeders do not keep intact males, but females only, and take the females to be bred when it's time. Back yard breeders keep their males in small cages in a garage or shed outside the home, so that they cannot smell them
Intact females are another problem. They come into heat multiple times a year (good breeders only breed once a year) and they howl and call. Many of them resort to territorial urine marking at this time as well, as they want to signal to any available male that they are here and waiting. They become difficult to keep indoors at this time, too. A good number of them are very hormonal, and become quite the witch during their heat period too.
The only way to avoid the spaying and other negative behaviors is by neutering and spaying. Breeders put up with it due to their love of the breed, and desire to improve the breed, but those same behaviors go on in breeder's homes. The breeders I know have no carpeting - all floors are tile or linoleum to make cleaning up easier.
Stacey
Intact males & females are INCREDIBLY annoying to deal with. Intact male cat urine is very pungent & yes they will spray everywhere. They are letting all the ladies know that they are ready for love. Intact female cats are what's called polyestrus & will go in & out of heat until they are bred or spayed. They will yowl, stick their butts in the air & in your face & some of them also spray. They will yowl day or nigh, weekday or weekend. They don't care. Also intact cats are consumed by their natural desire to reproduce & will try to escape in order to do the deed. Which if they are male will make it more likely they will be seriously injured in a fight or if they are female you can pretty much count on if you get her back she will be pregnant. Spay & neuter! They'll be far less annoying & healthier in the long run.