How Can Neutering Lead To Less Odorous Feline Urine
If you have a male cat and notice that his urine smells strong, then you may not be happy about the odor in your house. If the smell bothers you, then you should have the feline neutered. Keep reading to learn how neutering your cat can reduce the foul odor.
It Reduces Proteins In The Urine
Male cats release urine to relieve themselves, and they also urinate to attract females. Unneutered cats attract females with a protein in the urine called felinine. Felinine is a sticky amino acid that is created in the liver that sticks to objects like walls, floors, and the top of the kitty litter. As the felinine degrades, it releases pheromones and sulfur into the air. Not only does the strong scent bring female cats to the area, but it allows the male cat to thoroughly mark his territory. More and more sulfur is actually released as the breakdown continues. This means that scent strengthens as it ages.
The amount of testosterone in your cat's system is partially responsible for the large amount of felinine that is released into the urine. When your cat is neutered, testosterone reduces and so does the felinine. While this does not eliminate the odor, it will not smell as strong. Also, the urine will no longer be sticky. This allows it to seep into the litter better without sitting on top of it.
It Stops Spraying Habits
Cats that are not neutered will use their urine to spray walls, floors, trees, and other objects. Spraying occurs when a male cat backs up close to a tall object. The tail will stand straight up and you may see your cat standing on his back toes. This allows your feline to position the urethra close to the wall where a spray of urine can be released. You will typically note the tail twitching when this happens.
While some people may think that spraying is an inappropriate elimination issue, it is a territory marking problem. Very little urine is released when a cat sprays, and the twitching tail forces the urine to spread out over a wider area. Since the action is related directly to the cat's natural instinct to mate and mark his territory, neutering your cat can stop the issue completely. You should understand that the spraying action can become habitual though. This means that some cats will continue to spray even if they no longer have the urge to mate. This happens when older felines are neutered, so make sure to have your cat fixed while he is still young.
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