Good afternoon!
This questions has been bothering me for rather a long time. I know mating is a natural process for wild cats. But what if we don't mate our non neutered male cat, will there be any harm to his health? Thank you in advance for your opinions.
Alfinnlay I understand your point and I've heard it many times that pets should be neutered. I agree it helps control feral populations and it's doubtlessly good but I cannot fully agree with the desperate yell that non neutering is fatal for an animal's health. The nature isn't so dumb. What I really would like to see is the numbers. For example let's take a thousand of neutered cats and a thousand of non neutered cats, what will be the percentage of cancer in each group? I have a feeling it won't be drastically different. What I also have been thinking about is the fact vet clinics get PAID for the neutering procedure and therefore it's extremely beneficial to them to fortify the belief that if you god forbid doesn't have your cat neutered it will die in pain. See what I mean? I've read a lot of your posts and I respect your experience (I do!) but I personally would really refrain from categoric statements such as "for god's sake neuter your cat ASAP otherwise it will die from cancer!!" For me it's a complicated matter and I do NOT mean I'm against neutering. I do nevertheless stick to the opinion the negative impact of non neutering is exaggerated. I'm open to new information.
Olivia is neutered by the way, I got her like that.
There are thousands of homeless mixed cats (pure-breed as well) there is no need to add to that unless you are a certified breeder of a specific breeds, we have more then enough homeless cats and kittens, there is just no need to bring more kittens and prevent cats in shelters from ever having a forever home.
as for your question, you could leave your cat not neutered, you need to take into consideration that he could meow constantly, he could pee in every corner in the house, you could keep him inside and make sure he doesn't get out but he could run outside to search for a mate, where he faces many dangers, besides the obvious dangers of him getting run over or getting lost, he will definitely find an opponent which he will fight viciously. yes not all cats present all of these things but even one of them can be really bad (meowing all night or peeing allover the house).
you should also remember male cats do not go in heat, they are in heat all year long starting at the age of 7-8+ months and stay in heat where they are naturally constantly in search for mates, as many as possible, so no mating him once will not make a difference at all and he will keep being stressed for the rest of his life!
Please do neuter your cat, You don't seem interested in mating (as I understand from your question) so there is no need for keeping him in tact he will only be stressed and make it hard on you, please neuter him, he will be a lot calmer a lot more affectionate and Instead of being obsessed with finding mates he can just relax and be a cat!