It is always better to err on the side of caution. This is a common practice to prevent unacceptable sexual behavior, reduce aggressiveness, and prevent accidental or indiscriminate breeding. Tomcat urine is particularly odorous. Overall, the intact male cat can make a most unpleasant household companion . A cat s temperament, training, and personality are the result of genetics and upbringing, and are generally unaffected by the presence or absence of male hormones.
Castration is unlikely to calm an overactive cat or decrease aggression toward people.
Since the male brain is masculinized by the time of birth, castration will reduce some, but not all of the sexually dimorphic male behaviors. If performed prior to sexual maturity, castration will help to prevent the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as penile barbs, large jowls and glands at the dorsal part of the cat s tail. The operation of neutering or castration of male cats is called an orchidectomy . The procedure involves general anesthesia, and an incision is made over each side of the scrotal sac so that each testicle can be excised. External sutures are not generally required.