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- Aug 13, 2017
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- Purraise
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As far as cats preferring not to be neutered... I really don't think they are attached to their sexual identity in their minds, the way humans are, and once the hormones that compel them are removed they are more settled, less restless. In other words they seem a lot more content. If they had a psychological sexual identity, it seems it would be common to see more depression and aggression after they were neutered and had the rug pulled out from under them. And as an older woman who is past the hormone stuff... once the hormones are gone, the reasons to miss them disappear too...
But when we humans take over how cat daddy's get picked, the aforementioned UK study seemed to show we miss important stuff and the kittens on average live a year and a 1/2 less than kittens from Dad's where only the toughest gets to reproduce. Unless we get better at making these choices for cats, both types of reproduction seem to have a high cost.
And it isn't always that high of a cost for free roaming unneutered males. In areas with few other cats, I have seen unneutered males go several years with no serious injuries- though unneutered males that free roam are at higher risk than neutered. The same study out of the UK I posted a link to, that found purebred cats had a decreased life span also found that intact cats live on average one year less than spayed and neutered. And I would guess intact males probably loose more potential longevity than females. Interestingly that same study found that in a population where 90% of the cats were free roaming at least part of each day, the average life span was 15 years, which is the same for indoor only cats in the US. So based on those stats, depending on the situation, I am not sure that human managed breeding is always an improvement over nature.
Also, I have seen a couple of cats that belonged to 2 neighbours in a remote community have a couple litters of kittens together, and the male was actively involved in caring for the kittens, or at least helping keep them warm while Mom was out hunting.
And love the word "sterotypies" I enjoyed Googling it! One of my cats had the pacing problem, even with close to 1000 sq. feet of outdoor walkways, and linked enclosures going all around the house. And I work out of my home and give them both a lot of attention. He was obsessed with wanting out, and would not have been happy if he had ended up in a breeding program, as was the original plan. I solved his desperation to be free with a very large cat proof fenced yard. My other cat seemed happy enough, but slept a lot and did this odd stationary hunting thing where he would sit motionless and just stare at a patch of grass in the enclosure for hours. He was getting very chubby, even though I did not free feed. Now he has access to the whole yard he stays awake most of the day and has trimmed down considerably. So, just based on my own very limited experience, I have wondered how cats well being may be affected by the strict management planned breeding requires. I know that my cat that wanted out comes from at least 6 generations of indoor only ancestors, and 1/2 of them were bred in hospital like breeding facilities and socialized by employees. I have wondered how that may have affected his personality, or if it has at all.
Anyways, he got born, and is greatly loved. And is enjoying his life. Which would not have happened without humans arranging things.
But when we humans take over how cat daddy's get picked, the aforementioned UK study seemed to show we miss important stuff and the kittens on average live a year and a 1/2 less than kittens from Dad's where only the toughest gets to reproduce. Unless we get better at making these choices for cats, both types of reproduction seem to have a high cost.
And it isn't always that high of a cost for free roaming unneutered males. In areas with few other cats, I have seen unneutered males go several years with no serious injuries- though unneutered males that free roam are at higher risk than neutered. The same study out of the UK I posted a link to, that found purebred cats had a decreased life span also found that intact cats live on average one year less than spayed and neutered. And I would guess intact males probably loose more potential longevity than females. Interestingly that same study found that in a population where 90% of the cats were free roaming at least part of each day, the average life span was 15 years, which is the same for indoor only cats in the US. So based on those stats, depending on the situation, I am not sure that human managed breeding is always an improvement over nature.
Also, I have seen a couple of cats that belonged to 2 neighbours in a remote community have a couple litters of kittens together, and the male was actively involved in caring for the kittens, or at least helping keep them warm while Mom was out hunting.
And love the word "sterotypies" I enjoyed Googling it! One of my cats had the pacing problem, even with close to 1000 sq. feet of outdoor walkways, and linked enclosures going all around the house. And I work out of my home and give them both a lot of attention. He was obsessed with wanting out, and would not have been happy if he had ended up in a breeding program, as was the original plan. I solved his desperation to be free with a very large cat proof fenced yard. My other cat seemed happy enough, but slept a lot and did this odd stationary hunting thing where he would sit motionless and just stare at a patch of grass in the enclosure for hours. He was getting very chubby, even though I did not free feed. Now he has access to the whole yard he stays awake most of the day and has trimmed down considerably. So, just based on my own very limited experience, I have wondered how cats well being may be affected by the strict management planned breeding requires. I know that my cat that wanted out comes from at least 6 generations of indoor only ancestors, and 1/2 of them were bred in hospital like breeding facilities and socialized by employees. I have wondered how that may have affected his personality, or if it has at all.
Anyways, he got born, and is greatly loved. And is enjoying his life. Which would not have happened without humans arranging things.
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