The behavior and character of a cat after sterilization: how it changes, possible problems (depression and aggression), increased affection and other features

Owners, when deciding to sterilize a cat, worry that their pet’s behavior will change. She will be withdrawn, unaffectionate, gain weight, and become lazy. However, there is not a single scientific study that would prove that a cat’s behavior changes in a negative direction after sterilization. On the contrary, castration reduces or completely stops irritability caused by hormonal surges during estrus, aggression in the struggle for “male” attention.

The first days after sterilization and cat behavior

Immediately after the operation, cats are usually under the influence of anesthesia and do not recover from this state immediately.

Often, a pet’s return to its previous lifestyle can take several days. And at this time, the animal, being under stress, may begin to behave in unusual ways. Sometimes this may be a sign of some pathological process in the body, and then timely veterinary assistance cannot be avoided.

But how should owners behave in the first couple of days after sterilizing their pet and what should they do? This will be discussed below.

First day

If a cat sleeps a lot on the first day after sterilization, this should not be surprising or, even less, frightening: such behavior during the postoperative period is quite normal and understandable.
After all, the animal is still under the influence of anesthesia, from which it will recover within several hours, or even a whole day.

Attention!
When the cat begins to raise its head and roll over, it can be considered that it has come out of anesthesia. However, this does not mean that no more problems can be expected: on the contrary, in order to prevent postoperative complications, it is necessary to carefully monitor the pet.

Refusal to eat and drink on the first day after surgery is also considered normal. The cat simply feels sick after anesthesia, in addition, she begins to experience pain and discomfort, and in such a situation it is quite natural that she does not want to eat or drink.

However, in addition to these behavioral features in the postoperative period, other abnormalities may be observed in your furry pet.

Most often, this turns out to be due to the fact that the animal is still under the influence of intoxicating substances.

In this state, the cat may even experience hallucinations in which he either tries to run away or jump out of the window, or his level of aggression increases.

Also, the purr may begin to make loud screams, walk around the apartment with a stilted gait without any purpose, and every now and then bumping into furniture. This behavior is considered acceptable after the operation, but only if no more than 12 hours have passed since its completion.

What should the owner do in this case? There is only one thing: if possible, isolate the pet for a while in a carrier or in a cage, and, if this is not possible, then monitor it very carefully, preventing possible accidents.

Important!
All windows and vents should be closed on the first day after sterilization, and the cat should not be allowed to jump on top, as there is a very high risk that it will fall from there and injure itself.

Second day

On the second day after sterilization, the cat begins to return to normal.
At this time, it is considered a very good sign that she is interested in food.

But even if the pet does not eat anything, but still drinks plenty, this can also be considered a variant of the norm.

Attention!
Don’t be alarmed if your cat has a single attack of vomiting on the second day or has a slight upset of the digestive system.

At this time, you should protect your pet from stressful situations and, of course, make sure that she does not lick the seam. In order to completely protect your pet from infection in the wound or its dehiscence, it is recommended to put a special blanket on the animal, and a post-operative collar in the form of a cone on the neck, which will not allow her to reach the seam on her stomach with her tongue.

What should you pay attention to and when should you worry?

However, there are signs of cat behavior during the postoperative period that should alert the owner and prompt him to seek veterinary help:

On the first day after the operation, Murka is completely indifferent to water.
The cat looks excessively lethargic and apathetic, sometimes even, as they say, lies flat.
The animal breathes unnaturally: with wheezing and excessively quickly, or, conversely, very slowly.
The seam becomes wet and ichor leaks from it.
The pet emits a very unpleasant, perhaps even putrid odor: this often indicates a developing inflammatory process.

Important!
By the fifth day after sterilization, the cat is almost back to normal. She eats with appetite and drinks willingly, and her behavior becomes close to its previous pre-operative behavior. If your pet still shows lethargy and apathy, and also refuses to eat and drink, then you must immediately take it to a veterinary clinic.

Coming out of anesthesia

Three different types of anesthesia are used for surgery. The cat's condition after sterilization surgery largely depends on what type of anesthesia was used.

Inhalation (gas) anesthesia. One of the most effective methods of general anesthesia, after which the cat comes to its senses very quickly - almost as soon as the anesthesia mask is removed from its face. It is rarely used due to the high cost and lack of necessary equipment in hospitals.
Muscle relaxants in combination with epidural anesthesia. This type of anesthesia is easily tolerated by the cat, and complete recovery from it takes a maximum of 8 hours. However, there are risks of postoperative complications, during which sensitivity and motor activity of the hind limbs are impaired. Restoring everything can take up to 2 days.
Muscle relaxants with analgesics are used most often, but recovery from such anesthesia can take from 6 hours to a day.

The behavior of a cat after a sterilization operation at the moment of recovery from anesthesia can be the most unexpected:

impaired coordination of movement (shaky and unstable gait);
inappropriate behavior - from passive indifference to everything to open aggression;
desire to run somewhere;
inadequate reaction to surrounding people and what is happening around;
disorientation;
a clear desire to hide somewhere or hide in a dark corner;
inexplicable meowing;
vomit;
uncontrolled urination.

How can a cat change?

Many people believe that after sterilization, their furry pet will become completely different, and its behavior will change radically. But do these assumptions have any real basis, or are they nothing more than speculation? Let's try to figure this out.

Will she catch mice?

For city residents, this issue is less relevant than for owners living in a private house.
Many of them do not dare to sterilize their cat only out of fear that she will suddenly stop catching mice and other harmful rodents. But is this really so?

Let’s say right away that sterilization does not in any way affect a cat’s ability to catch mice or its hunting instincts. She either already has them from birth, or she doesn’t and never will.

Important!
Many of the owners of mousetrap cats noticed that after sterilization, their pet began to bring more rodents than before. This is most likely due to the fact that after suppressing the reproductive instinct, the cat is no longer distracted by cats and caring for offspring, but is engaged in its calling - hunting rodents.

Will he stop marking and shitting?

Many of the owners of furry beauties sterilize their pet only because they hope in this way to rid her of the habit of crap everywhere and mark furniture and corners. But often their expectations are not always met and in order to wean a cat from these bad habits, one operation is not enough. Why is this happening?

During the operation, the ovaries were not completely removed, and the remaining particles continue to produce sex hormones. In this case, it is recommended to perform a second operation.
Sterilization was carried out at puberty. In this case, the reproductive instinct and parental behavior have already become entrenched, which does not allow achieving a lasting effect after sterilization.
The animal is stressed or in pain. In this way, it is simply trying to attract attention to itself and let its owners understand that not everything is fine with it and it needs help. In this case, a gentle and caring attitude towards your pet can help, and, in some cases, going to the clinic.

Important!
Whatever the reason that the cat continues to crap and mark in the house, despite seemingly successful sterilization, its destructive behavior is nothing more than a desire, even in this way, to attract attention to itself.

Reverse effect: why can cats stop going to the litter box after sterilization?

Sometimes after sterilization, the cat does not go to the tray, which it has long been accustomed to. But why does this happen?

There can be many reasons for this behavior:

Stress. It is he who, most often, is the reason why a pet can “forget” that it needs to do its business in the tray. Does a cat experience stress after sterilization? Yes, definitely. There is pain, discomfort due to tightening stitches, and unpleasant memories of a trip to the clinic that ended with an operation.
The tray is too clean. Many owners, after surgery, in order to exclude the possibility of infection in the wound, wash the tray too thoroughly and wash off the animal’s usual odors from it.
Unsuitable filler. He can simply prick her even through the blanket at the seam, which can cause a sharp hostility towards the tray.

How to fix this?

When stressed, you need to give your pet as much attention as possible. You should also save her from any stressful situation, since for a cat the operation itself and the subsequent healing of the wound are already too much of a shock.
If the tray is washed too thoroughly, perhaps even with the use of chemical detergents, then you just need to not be too zealous about it. And it’s better to avoid detergent altogether, especially since it can cause allergies in the animal or simply irritate the skin.
Unsuitable litter should be replaced with something more comfortable for the cat. Moreover, it is better not to use another filler, but to use pieces of newspaper or any other non-waxed paper. And the best option is to give it up altogether for a while, allowing the cat to simply go into an empty tray and washing it after each use.

Dog and cat behavior problems

Sterilization is a surgical procedure

, in which females or males are deprived of the opportunity to carry out the reproductive function. In males, this operation, usually called castration, entails the removal of the testicles, leaving an empty scrotum, which soon shrinks and tightens. A cat's behavior most often changes for the better after castration. The testes are necessary for the production of seminal fluid and are the main site of production of the hormone testosterone. The penis is not removed during castration because it is necessary for urination.

Surgical sterilization in female cats

involves removing the ovaries and uterus by making an incision and accessing the abdominal cavity. The ovaries produce eggs according to the sexual cycle and also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The uterus is also removed during surgery because it can later become infected with bacteria if it is not removed, which can lead to a disease called pyometra.

Both castration and sterilization are performed under general anesthesia. Pets are sterilized to prevent unwanted births and the development of various pathological disorders in both males and females. Ideally, cats should be spayed before their first heat. Most pets are neutered at a young age to prevent excessive reproduction. Talk to your veterinarian about recommendations for your pet's health.

How does character change?

There is also an opinion that after sterilization, a cat’s character may change, they say, after the operation she will become calmer and more affectionate, and aggression, if there was one before, will disappear without a trace. To some extent, these statements are true, but this is not always the case.

Important!
Earlier sterilization can really change the character of a cat, but after an operation performed in adulthood, this sometimes does not happen.

Showing increased affection

After sterilization, many pets become more affectionate and peaceful: they are calmer towards their relatives and become more contactable when communicating with their owners, for example, they try to be in their presence more.
However, sterilization does not have the same effect on some furry individuals: a cat that is too independent or aggressive is unlikely to become much more affectionate and affectionate towards people, and if its aggression can be muted, it will only be slightly.

Important!
As a rule, those Murkas whose sterilization was delayed for several years do not become more friendly after the operation. During this time, they have already developed a character, which is not always possible to change.

Much calmer?

Many owners of furry beauties note that their cat has become calmer after surgery. And, indeed, her mood swings, as a rule, disappear and she no longer exhibits inappropriate behavior during estrus: in particular, the purr no longer calls her partners with shrill screams and does not mark in the house.

In addition, she practically stops paying attention to other cats and other people’s kittens. And, if there are several cats in the house, the operated animal does not start fights with its neighbors, but, on the contrary, treats them almost like family members: it constantly licks their fur, purring at the same time.

Manifestation of aggression and what to do about it?

Sometimes it happens that after sterilization, a previously affectionate and calm pet suddenly begins to show aggression. This behavior may also be due to the fact that after the operation, sex hormones, which also affect the behavior of the animal, simply cease to be produced.

However, much more often the causes of aggression are not related to changes in hormonal levels in the body, but depend on completely different circumstances, such as:

Stress
Pain or discomfort.
External stimuli that create an additional stressful situation.

Important!
Most often, aggression is a defensive reaction to pain. The cat experiences unpleasant sensations, but does not understand the reason for them and therefore attacks everyone who tries to approach it or, especially, pick it up.

What should the owner do with all this?

Eliminate additional stressful situations and provide your pet with the greatest comfort and a calm environment in the home.
Leave the pet alone for a while: do not bother her, and, especially, do not try to touch or pick her up.
It may be worthwhile to consult a veterinarian about pain medication if the pain is severe.

Depression and what to do about it?

It’s not common, but it happens that sterilization does not have the best effect on a cat’s behavior: she sometimes even becomes depressed. This often leads to the most serious consequences. The animal may begin to refuse food, hide, and, in particularly difficult cases, even run away from home, often ending its life on the street.

How to avoid this? First of all, it is necessary, as in cases of stress, to devote as much time as possible to your pet so that she does not feel abandoned and unnecessary.

Important!
Sometimes this state of despondency can last for the first few months after the operation, and all this time the owner needs to be especially attentive, caring and affectionate towards his pet.

At what age are cats spayed?

The ideal age for sterilization in cats is a relative concept. The operation can be performed at almost any age; from 6 months to 10 years it is tolerated quite easily. Older individuals may have contraindications or complications. Today, many veterinarians recommend carrying out the procedure up to a year or after the first heat. At a young age, the animal tolerates all manipulations easily and quickly adapts to the new state. He has not yet formed stable habits, which can be stronger than hormones. For example, an adult that is accustomed to marking its territory will likely continue to do so after spaying or neutering. Therefore, it is wise to act on warning and form the pet’s character and habits from a young age. It is believed that by 8 months a cat reaches sexual maturity and can bear and bear offspring up to 4 times a year. But, firstly, this is individual, for some individuals this moment comes earlier, for others later, and secondly, there are breeds in which the offspring grow for a long time and mature only by one and a half to two years. It is too early to sterilize such cats at 8 months, and it is better to select the timing of the operation together with a veterinarian. In general, the bulk of procedures occur between the ages of one and three years.

What to pay attention to in a month?

After a month has passed since sterilization, the cat becomes more active. She may also become more affectionate and calm, and at the same time require increased attention to herself. As a matter of fact, a month after the operation, nothing should remind you of its completion except for a purring area of bare skin on the abdomen.

Important!
If your cat continues to be lethargic or shows other signs of destructive behavior, it is best to take her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Suture removal and general recovery

Typically, during sterilization, intradermal sutures are placed that do not need to be removed. External sutures are removed on days 7-10, but no later than the 12th, so as not to allow the suture material to grow into the skin and surrounding tissues. Throughout the healing period of the postoperative wound, the suture should be clean, dry, and without signs of inflammation.

How long it takes for a cat to recover from neutering will depend on the environment she is in after surgery, as well as her overall health. Young and healthy cats recover faster than older cats burdened with additional diseases. Usually, by the 5-7th day, only the presence of a postoperative collar or blanket reminds of the operation, and otherwise the animal should already lead its normal lifestyle. Full recovery of the cat after sterilization is observed after 3-4 weeks.

Host reviews

Ekaterina, 31 years old, Novosibirsk

I found Fenya in the winter as a tiny kitten that someone dropped at our entrance. Because of the cold, it seems she couldn’t even meow, she was so frozen, poor thing... Naturally, I couldn’t pass by this half-dead lump, I took her, warmed her up and left her with me.
When I picked her up from the street, I didn’t even know that she was a female kitten; this became clear later, during an examination at the clinic. Then the doctors asked me if I would later sterilize Fenya, I answered no. But when I returned home, I started thinking about what would happen next. Fenya is a cat, which means that sooner or later she will have kittens that will need to be adopted. And it’s not that there would be many problems with the device, it’s just... I didn’t want one of my cat’s children or grandchildren to end up on the street, just like she once did, where they might have been hit by a car or torn apart by dogs.
The decision to sterilize was not easy, but the reluctance to endanger the lives of Feni’s future kittens overcame all fears. And so, when my cat was eight months old, I took her for surgery, which she endured surprisingly easily. True, some surprises awaited me at home, starting with the fact that Fenechka slept for a very long time on the first day - at least half a day after sterilization, and when she came to, she lost orientation in space for some time: she kept bumping into something on the walls, then on the furniture in the room. I was even afraid that she had gone blind due to the anesthesia. However, after a while everything got better and, apart from the fact that the cat was still quite lethargic and apathetic, she at least no longer looked stunned as she did on the first day after the operation.
Nowadays, six months after sterilization, I can say that Fenin’s character has hardly changed: she was still a sweetheart. Well, maybe she became a little more calm and imposing. But this may not be at all related to sterilization, the cat has simply matured - that’s all.

Victoria, 24 years old, Tomsk

We didn't originally plan to have our Brittany spayed. The cat was taken for exhibitions and breeding, but, as it turned out, everything is not so simple. While the kitten was small, everything was fine, but then Bree began to mark her territory. I would never have thought that cats, especially purebred ones, could do this! I no longer wanted any kittens, but only wanted one thing: for the cat to stop dirtying the apartment. At the family council, the issue of sterilization was adopted, and, having agreed on the operation at the clinic, my husband and I took our failed breeder cat there.
Of course, we had fears that something might go wrong. But the doctor calmed us down, told us not to worry, and that, most importantly, we were on time with the operation: a few more months and it would have been impossible to wean Bree from leaving marks even after sterilization.
What can I say about our main problem? It really resolved itself in the best possible way, however, in addition to the operation, I also had to additionally raise a cat. Nevertheless, we are pleased with the result and are sure that without sterilization, Brittany would have continued to cause mischief in the apartment.

Yaroslav, 42 years old, Stavropol region

Muska of a simple noble breed was given to us by our relatives as soon as we moved into the house, they say, when we move, we need to introduce the cat first, so that there will be happiness in the house. We appreciated their gift only later, when it turned out that our underground was full of mice. Fortunately, Muska, despite her very young age, coped well with them, and at least they didn’t snoop around our kitchen and rooms. And for the time being everything was fine, until our cat unexpectedly went on a spree. We still don’t know where she gave birth to kittens and hid them for the first weeks. She brought her offspring to us when they were already grown up, so we had to add her brood almost immediately after that. How we accommodated them in the village is a separate conversation, but after this incident it was decided to sterilize Muska so that this epic with cat children would not happen again. But we were afraid that after the operation the cat would become lazy and not want to catch mice. But, fortunately, it turned out that this was not the case. As a result, despite the fact that after sterilization Muska is still an excellent catcher of mice, it even seems that she has begun to catch more of them than before.

How and what to feed after castration?

After the operation, you can feed the cat only after 8-10 hours and after full awakening.
If you try to feed him earlier, he will most likely just throw up. The stomach is not yet ready to receive food and cannot digest it. But you can’t limit water; it should always be in sufficient quantity and accessible. It is better to give liquid food after surgery; it can be meat broths, fermented milk products, if there is no lactose intolerance. Try not to overload the cat's stomach, maintain a light diet. Temporarily exclude:

dry food;
canned food;
meat;
fish;
porridge or cereals;
vegetables.

Introduce food into the diet gradually, you can dilute it with water. Nutrition must be kept under control in the future. A pet accustomed to natural food can eat beef, rabbit, some boiled vegetables and cereals. It is advisable to periodically give your pet vitamin supplements. Feeding food from the table is highly undesirable.

After castration surgery, even if the cat has been accustomed to dry food, change it to a special one designed for neutered cats. Introduce it into your diet gradually. An animal's refusal to eat for more than 2 days is a reason to consult a doctor. This may be caused by an inflammatory process in the body.

Conclusion

Sterilization can indeed affect the character and behavior of a cat, but this does not always happen. Most purrs, even when sterilized, retain their previous character and behavioral characteristics, except for the fact that they no longer show interest in breeding. In those cases when changes in the character of a furry pet do occur, most often this turns out to be due to early sterilization, when the cat’s character has not yet had time to be fully formed.

Influence on urination in the wrong place

Dogs and cats may urinate or defecate in unwanted areas of your home to cover territorial claims, relieve anxiety, and advertise reproductive status. This may continue long after the initial cause has passed.

Because this behavior is controlled in part by hormonal status, male or female pets may begin to defecate inappropriately even after spaying. Sterilizing an animal that begins to urinate in the wrong place reduces the odor of the urine and eliminates the contribution of hormonal factors. If underlying emotional or physical factors are not controlled and environmental reminders are removed, unwanted behaviors may persist after spaying or neutering.

Reasons for sterilization

Usually, a breeder does not think about a procedure that will deprive a cat of the opportunity to become a mother immediately after purchasing a kitten, which touches with its childish carefreeness. However, as the animal gradually matures, its behavior changes, and some of its characteristics may prompt the owner to carry out this procedure. The main reasons for sterilization are:

Health risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth,
The uncertainty of the fate of newborn kittens,
Cats, like cats, mark their territory with urine,
Prevention of cancer and infectious diseases of the genital area,
Excited behavior of an animal during estrus.

It is the last factor that has the greatest influence on breeders, since the cat’s behavior after puberty turns a quiet kitten into a meowing and purring cat around the clock, and this will continue for 1-2 weeks, or until pregnancy occurs. This behavior is formed by ancient instincts of attracting a male, and only a change in the hormonal background after sterilization can correct this situation.

How to care for the suture after surgery?

Once the edges of the incision tighten, there will be no need for additional support. Removal of sutures in the head, face and neck area occurs already on the 5th day after the operation. If they were applied in the area of the torso or limbs, then it will take at least 10 days for the wound to heal. Daily dressings are necessary for the first few days. The patient usually spends this time in the hospital. After discharge, tight bandages are usually no longer needed. But if necessary, you can always change the dressing at the nearest hospital or medical center.

Caring for the suture after surgery consists of daily treating the incision area with an antiseptic and taking medications that accelerate tissue regeneration. All medications for home therapy are used strictly according to the doctor’s recommendation!

Treatment of sutures is usually carried out with ready-made pharmaceutical preparations or homemade antiseptics, such as solutions of iodine, potassium permanganate, brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide. To avoid getting a chemical burn when performing such procedures, the liquid for disinfection should be prepared only according to a prescription issued by a doctor.

To speed up regeneration processes, external agents with wound healing and antibacterial effects are used. These include balsamic liniment (better known as Vishnevsky ointment), levomekol, ichthyol ointment and many others.

Pain of varying intensity after surgery is absolutely normal. If discomfort is severe, analgesics approved by your physician may be used.