Side Effects of Spaying

Many people are skeptical about spaying their cats due to rumored side effects. These side effects are mostly untrue, including claims about increased obesity, increased appetite, decreased activity and decreased affection. The most common side effects of spaying a cat are post-surgical complications.

  1. Vomiting

    • Your cat may experience nausea or vomiting for up to 24 hours after surgery with anesthesia. Offer your cat minimal food and plenty of fresh water during this time.

    Pain

    • Cats may experience pain at the incision site for up to a week following surgery. During this time, activity should be limited.

    Infection

    • A normal, post-surgical incision site will have a number of sutures. Spotting of blood is normal. Foul smelling yellow or green discharge, as well as a large amount of swelling, may indicate an infection and veterinary attention should be sought.

    Positive Effects

    • Spaying will eliminate a female's heat cycles, and allow her to be more attentive to her owner, instead of screaming for a mate. Your cat will become more social, unless she was not a social cat to begin with.

    Living Longer

    • It was found that cats who were spayed or neutered lived to an older age than their unaltered counterparts, due in part to the fact that spaying and neutering reduces the risk of certain cancers.