Sterilization of domestic cats is a method that can prevent the development of many gynecological pathologies. In addition, many owners believe that the behavior of the cat after sterilization changes significantly, and in the direction of its improvement. Is it so?

Behavior of a cat after sterilization: what to expect at first

Immediately after the operation, to expect visible changes in behavior is a rather meaningless exercise. Initially, all the oddities will be explained by the separation of the cat from the effects of the operation.

In addition, not all animals change their behavior. Many veterinarians are inclined to believe that this is rather a special case.

First day

At this time, all the “illogical” in the cat’s behavior are explained simply – the first day the pet usually sleeps, recovering from the effects of the operation. In no case is it enough for anything else.

The norm is the following:

• The animal is sleeping, breathing is even and calm. Mucous membranes should have a pinkish tint.
• When the cat wakes up, its movements at first are angular, inhibited, unsure.

Second day

On the second day after the normal operation, the cat should already wake up. But do not expect her usual agility and playfulness:

• The animal is very slow, the response to external stimuli is also inhibited.
• The cat is more interested in water, eats a little, prefers to sleep the rest of the time.

Such behavior in the postoperative period is an absolute norm, the owner does not need to worry about anything.

The third day

If the operation was performed really qualitatively, then by this time the cat’s behavior has relatively normalized:

• The animal becomes quite active, begins to be interested in food.
• If all is well, you can let the cat go for a walk (but not for long).
• The cat starts playing, but the intensity should be controlled. If the cat runs and jumps too vigorously, the seam can disperse.

The behavior of the cat in the first week after surgery:

• The cat is weak, often sleeps for a long time, choosing places warmer. This is easily explained, as her body needs time to recover.
• Occasionally she has little or no interest in food. In the first three days, this is quite normal, but a longer “hunger strike” is a reason for going to the veterinarian.
• A rather characteristic stray gait, a slow reaction to external stimuli.

How does the cat’s behavior change a week after surgery

By this moment the cat is completely recovering from the consequences of the surgical intervention, and therefore its behavior in a week becomes more predictable:

• The cat, with the exception of the seam on the stomach, is almost indistinguishable from its relatives.
• The animal is actively playing, normally drinks and eats.
• Adequately reacts to stimuli, no longer wallowing constantly in dark and warm corners.

The first time after sterilization, the behavior of the animal does not change significantly. We repeat once again that all the oddities arising during thisperiod are a consequence of the abdominal operation.

Effects of anesthesia

Generalanesthesia is vital for the operation, but it is also a sure guarantee ofstrange behavior. The answer is simple: for carrying out abdominal surgery, quite powerful drugs are used that have a whole bunch of side effects.

Such as:

• Confused consciousness.
• Frequent dizziness.
• Cats may have a headache.
• Shivering and itching.
• Occasionally there are cases of postoperative muscle pain.

How does the cat’s behavior in the future

Many breeders are sincerely convinced that the behavior of the operated cat changes significantly. Let not immediately.

In fact, you should not count on a complete “transformation” of a cat, but at the same time, some habits and behavioral aspects of the operated pets can really change.

This is due to the following factors:

• Reducing the nutrient needs of the operated cat, you need about 25% less calories. True, the behavior does not change because of this. A cat can become lazy and sedentary because its owner does not know about the changed physiology of its cat. If he continues to feed her the same way as before the operation, the animal will most likely develop obesity. Because of this, the cat will become lazy.
• Many breeders believe that the behavior will change because the operation removes the ovaries responsible for the production of many sex hormones. This is not entirely true. Yes, hormones actually influence behavior, but they do not drastically change it.

What will be the cat in a month

Considering the above, in a month the pet will differ in the following behavioral nuances:

• Characterized by increased appetite. The body at this time is actively recovering from the effects of the operation, it needs more energy. It is desirable that the owner has already consulted the veterinarian and picked up a complete and balanced diet for the cat.
• Cats tend to become calmer. This is due to the absence of sex hormones. Such animals no longer need to conflict with their relatives for the territory, they intervene much more rarely in fights, etc.
• Reducing the natural desire of cats to vagrancy. The operated pets run away from home much less frequently, and the very tendency to act so rashly is seriously reduced.
• Sexual behaviors will gradually disappear, including screams and the desire to escape in search of a sexual partner. True, this will happen not immediately, but within about half a year.

It shouldbe remembered that all the changes described above are not a canon at all. Somecats after sterilization do not change at all, their behavior remains the same.

The stability champion is a British breed. Its representatives sterilization affects little (often these animals become a little more calm). True, there are opposite cases …

Causes of aggressive behavior after neutering

Aggressive behavior a couple of days after surgery is the norm. As a rule, this is how animals react to pain and other discomfort, plus the side effects of the drugs used during anesthesia contribute to it. Worse, when aggression develops in a month, or even later. In this case, the reasons are much more difficult to recognize.

As a rule, this phenomenon is a consequence of the “redistribution of roles” in the body. If the cat was initially not the most calm, this is easily explained. Before sterilization, the animal’s body spends a lot of energy on the functioning of the reproductive system, but after the operation, the surplus has nowhere to dump.

Because the animal becomes more excitable and aggressive. In such a situation, it is difficult to advise something concrete. Sometimes light sedatives help, some owners report that they have taken a kitten to the house. Strangely enough, sometimes these cats wake up the maternal instinct, why they begin to spend unspent strength on caring for the baby.

Much lessoften inappropriate behavior is a consequence of severe complications afteranesthesia.

If the cat behaves very strange, even if a lot of time has passed since the operation, be sure to bring your pet to the vet. She certainly will not interfere with a full medical examination. This, for example, happens if during sterilization an animal’s blood pressure drops sharply (which leads to damage to the cerebral cortex).