There are many benefits of getting a male cat neutered. They tend to be less aggressive, don’t wander off as much, and are less at risk for certain types of cancers. However, the main reason people neuter a cat is so that he becomes infertile and can no longer get female cats pregnant. We recently had a reader reach out to us with a pretty interesting story. She claimed that her 8 month old cat got the neighbor’s cat pregnant. She was certain that her cat was the father, because they are the same breed (Ragdoll Cats) and they are the only two cats within a 20 mile radius. The story seemed totally normal, until she said that her cat was neutered. While this story seemed unlikely, it is not impossible. In today’s article we will explain why.

Can a neutered cat still get a female cat pregnant?

Yes, a neutered cat can still get a female cat pregnant. This is because a neutered cat can remain fertile for up to 6 months after he is neutered. This is because although their tubes are cut and they can no longer produce new sperm, there can still be leftover sperm in the testicles. This is most likely what happened to our neighbors cat, who said her dog was neutered 4 months prior.

Do neutered cats still mate?

No, most of the time a neutered cat will no longer mate with female cats. This is because once it is neutered, it no longer produces sperms, so he has much lower testoerone levels, and essentially loses his sex drive.

When should you neuter a cat?

We recommend neutering a cat at the age of around 4-6 months. It is important for you cat to have all the proper vaccinations before he is neutered. 4-6 months is a perfect time to neuter a cat because it is right before the cat will become sexually active. Neutering a cat after one years old is still possible, but it can be more complicated because your cat has already reached sexual maturity. While you can still neuter mature cats, the vet will likely run blood tests beforehand to check your cat’s kidney and other organs. 

Can a spayed cat still get pregnant?

No, there is no way for a spayed cat to get pregnant. The moment her ovaries are cut, she can no longer have kittens. The vet will check to see if a cat is pregnant before they perform the spay incision.