Neutered/Spayed Co-Mingling

Question
My friend took in a stray 1 year old female cat and had her spayed. The cat has to be kept in a spare bedroom because her dogs won't accept the cat no matter what. She does not feel that this is fair for the cat to be so isolated (although she does get plenty of visits) and asked me if I would adopt her.

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I have two neutered male cats (ages 2 and 10) and I will try to post my question as diplomatically as possible. Given that I have two neutered males ... would there exist any kind of 'sexual' interest - neutered male to spayed female or vice versa? Would the males consider the female as a female or just another cat in the 'hood?


Thanks for your assistance with this one.


Answer
As long as it has been over a month or two since their neuters, and I'm sure it has, there should be nothing remotely approaching sexual interest. Cats are very hormonal creatures but once those hormones are out of their systems, their behavior is no longer driven by them. Occasionally, you see mounting attempts by neutered stud males -- I've had that happen, and then they look up at me and say "what was I supposed to do again now?"  But I doubt your guys were studs.

However, you should bring the new cat into a separate room of your house and keep her there for about 24 hours before introducing your boys to her. Then put her in a carrier and allow them into "her" room to check her out. Do this a couple of times a day for two or three days and then let her out of the carrier and they should integrate without too much problem. Expect some hissing for the first week or so.

Good luck!

iris