wwhen will he calm down

I have a male cat his name is theodore he is 16 months old and on feb 12th 2010 i got him fixed but he still climbs the windows wanting out and today was the first day he has gotten to go out since and he is now still gone 13 hrs later will he ever stop that and if so how long does it norm take

[Arnold L Goldman, D.V.M.]

Dear misty1986,

Thank you for the opportunity to address your question and an all too common misconception about neuter surgeries and animal behavior.

First, some definitions. Neuter surgery or "neutering" encompasses procedures undergone by both genders, ovariohysterectomy for femsles ('spay" surgery;  ovariectomy only in some countries) and castration for males. The purposes of these surgeries include elimination of unwanted litters as well as reduction or elimination of problematic sexual behavior and function.

The myth that neuter surgeries "calm" animals down or alter their overall behavior or personality has been perpetuated through generations of family pet lore as well as by previous generations of veterinarians.

(The same goes for the myth that neuter surgery leads to weight gain. It doesn't. Continuing to feed a no longer growing or perhaps quite as active "kitten" or "puppy" of 10 months or more of age as if they were still growing or were not maturing, is NOT cause and effect for weight gain associated with neuter surgery. Neutered or not, animals need less calories on a gradually steepening downward curve reached immediately after physical maturity and then gradually even less as they age, just like us!)

Indeed a pet's behavior does change as they mature and that period of change happens to coincide chronologically with the completion of early age care including immunizations and neuter surgery. There is no direct relationship however. Most pet's behavior becomes more adult-like in nature when they eventually reach social maturity. In dogs this occurs between 18 and 24 months. It is not much different in cats in my experience.

You can discourage unwanted behaviors with a soda can with some pennies acting as a distracting noisemaker, a water pistol or other diversionary methods. Do not expect the neuter surgery to have any direct effect on overall personality or behavior. All it does is reduce or eliminate sexual behavior. A desire to go out is reinforced by being allowed out, which is fun and interesting for cats. Make indoor life interesting with toys and direct interaction. Perhaps other pets will help, but no guarantees. To end the daily window climbing expect a 4 to 6 month battle of wills until maturity and acceptance arrive. You will have to learn to ignore his pleas.

Good luck!

Sincerely,

Arnold L. Goldman DVM, MS
MedHelp & PDOC