How a Cat Reacts After Spaying

Spaying a cat is an important tool in keeping the pet population under control. Not only does it prevent your cat from getting pregnant and adding a handful of kittens to your family, it also helps prevent marking in the house and other annoyances. After a cat is spayed, her behavior should return back to normal, though the owner may see some changes.

  1. Affection

    • Spaying a cat isn't likely to change her affection toward humans, but it may change affection toward other cats. According to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, cats that are not spayed cycle seasonally, meaning a female cat's reproductive tract is inactive for most of the year. When a cat is cycling, however, she can be very affectionate toward other cats. When an owner spays her cat, this might stop.

    Marking

    • One of the most obvious signs of a cat that is not spayed is marking. One of the reasons a female cat marks is because it is a way to attract mates. According to the University of Saskatchewan, only 5 percent of cats that are unspayed engage in marking behaviors inside a home. However, it can be a difficult problem to correct. When marking, cats will sniff an area and then spray a small amount of urine on the object. After a cat is spayed, this behavior will stop.

    Noises

    • Cats that are in heat, or are in their cycles, make it known verbally. It is common for a cat in heat to howl and pace. Spaying a cat not only eliminates this, but also gets rid of the male cats that find themselves outside your house.

    Fighting

    • Cats that live outdoors tend to get more aggressive when in heat, which can lead to fighting, according to Cats International, a nonprofit educational organization. This may not only be a nuisance to neighbors, but also could cause injury or death to a cat.

    Overall health

    • Spaying a cat not only helps improve her overall health, but also extends life expectancy. According to Cats International, cats that have been spayed tend to live twice as long as those that have not been spayed. Spaying also may reduce a cat's chances of having mammary cancer. According to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center, mammary cancer is similar to breast cancer in humans and typically affects senior cats. Spaying a cat early in life reduces a cat's risk of getting mammary cancer by at least 86 percent.