How Do Cats Act After Spaying?

Spaying generally refers to the process of the removal of the ovaries from a female in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies. However, the surgery also has some physical side effects and changes minor aspects of the cat's personality. Knowing how a cat will react after the surgery is important so you can be fully prepared for the animal's homecoming.

  1. Immediately After

    • Cats should be confined to a small space post-surgery.

      Many vets release the cat soon after the surgery is completed. At this point, the animal is often still groggy from the anesthesia and should be kept in a confined space, such as a small room or her crate. A groggy animal may not be able to see correctly and could fall down a stairwell or crash into a dangerous object. Also, she might become vicious in her delusional state and try to attack her handlers.

    Overnight Recoveries

    • Some spayed cats do not want to eat right away.

      Sometimes cats are kept overnight at the vet after the surgery, and they usually return to their homes as if nothing had ever happened. However, both cats that return immediately home and cats that spend the night may not eat for the first 24 hours or so after surgery. This is not cause for alarm; however, if the behavior continues into another day, a vet should be consulted as soon as possible.

    Soreness

    • The cat may feel sore in her stomach area for the first week after the surgery. Since she cannot tell her owner that she is feeling pain, the owner should act as if she is and take all the necessary preventative measures. Restricting activity is important so the sore area does not become irritated and hurt the animal even more. Keeping the litter box even cleaner than usual is crucial to proper healing and preventing irritation.

    Behavorial Changes Towards Other Cats

    • Owners who have experienced female cats in heat during the mating season know that the animals vocalize constantly to attract male cats. Female cats also try to escape the home to find males to mate with. Once the cat is spayed, these issues will cease to exist, and owners will not have to worry themselves with their cats' attempts to run outdoors or have to deal with the constant noises.

    Behavorial Changes Towards People

    • Spayed cats can be slightly less affectionate.

      Although females are trying to attract male cats during the mating season, they often become "flirty" or extra affectionate to their owners during that time as well. People may notice that their cats no longer act that way during the season. However, female cats spend less than half of their time in heat each year, so the changes will not be frequent enough to entirely alter the cat's personality.