Stray cats reproduce quickly, and too many cats can destroy a local ecosystem. That’s why it’s so important to neuter and spay stray cats. You can totally adopt a cat with a tipped ear! All the ear means is that a kitty spent some time on the street. They can still be a totally awesome pet and friend to you. The tipped ear prevents animal control and members of the public from wasting their time trying to catch a stray cat and take them in to be neutered/spayed.
This tattoo is normally a squiggle near the top of the ear, although you may also see a straight line, circle, or dot. The tattoo ink is often bright blue, although it may be black or red.
This tattoo is almost always bright blue; it’s usually a line just above a cat’s genitals. This kind of tattoo is more for vets and surgeons than it is for the general public. The last thing a surgeon does before opening a cat open to neuter or spay them is shave their tummy. That’s when a surgeon would see this marking and realize they don’t need to perform surgery. Don’t pick a stray cut up to look at their stomach if you don’t know how they’ll behave. They may be carrying disease or become aggressive when you pet them.
If you find one testicle, your cat has not been neutered. You may need to get someone to help you if you think your cat will squirm around while you do this. If a cat is very young, his testicles may not have descended yet, so you can’t rely on the presence of absence of testicles if you’ve got a kitten you need to sex. [5] X Research source
Spaying a female cat is just as important as neutering male cats, so don’t take your time. If a kitten has a round opening or mound of fur below their anus instead of a slit, it’s a boy. Another sign you’ve got an unspayed female cat is that they go into heat once a month. A cat in heat will be really needy; they’ll want constant attention, meow frequently, and stick their backside up in the air at you. [7] X Research source
Male cats frequently fight in the wild to win over female cats, and it’s thought that they develop the puffy jowls to protect their face in a fight. Sexually mature and unneutered tomcats will also tend to vocalize more than other cats. They’ll often be more aggressive and tend to wander off, too.
A lot of people won’t be able to tell the difference between normal cat urine and unneutered male cat pee, so don’t rely on this test too heavily.
If you find out that your cat isn’t neutered, make an appointment to get it done as soon as possible. If you’ve picked up a stray, you should take them to the vet anyway to have them checked for diseases and get their vaccinations.
Don’t be afraid to ask! It’s not a problematic question and this makes you more responsible as a potential owner.
