This is how neutering and spaying changes a cat’s behavior

Anyone who has ever lived with a fertile or intact cat knows that it is not the easiest to tolerate the instinctive and of course completely normal behavior patterns that these animals exhibit. For this reason, and from a health perspective, it is important to neuter pets.

Let’s see how the neutered or spayed cat’s behaviour changes.

What is neutering and spaying?

For the sake of completeness, let’s start with the basics. In the case of toms and females, we are talking about two different interventions. Neutering female cats involves a serious surgery requiring anesthesia, during which the animal’s reproductive organs are removed. The veterinarian makes an incision on the cat’s abdomen and removes the ovaries and/or the uterus. (In the case of a healthy uterus, sometimes only the ovaries are removed.) The incision is closed with stitches, which are removed after a few days.

In the case of tomcats, the procedure is also done under anesthesia, during which an incision is made on the scrotum to extract the testicles. External stitches are generally not necessary after the spaying. If the testicles do not descend, then a more extensive surgery may be necessary, as the testicles still produce hormones as if they had descended.

How the cat’s behaviour changes after neutering and spaying?

During neutering, only the behaviors influenced by hormones change; both in males and females. A cat’s temperament depends primarily on upbringing, personality, and genetics.

According to an article by VCA Animal Hospital, it is unlikely that neutering will calm down an overly active cat or reduce the level of aggression towards humans. However, spaying can reduce or even eliminate masculine behavior. If a male cat is spayed before reaching sexual maturity, it reduces the development of secondary sexual characteristics such as a broad face, perianal glands, and penile spines.

Small Door Veterinary emphasizes that besides the health benefits of neutering, in the case of females, we no longer have to deal with changes due to estrus. Intact females – like males – are more prone to roaming, which makes them more vulnerable. They may get into conflicts with other animals or mates, get hit by a car, or contract various diseases. A fertile female – estrus can occur monthly, lasting for a week – may meow excessively and loudly. They may also exhibit rolling behavior and show a keen interest in other cats and humans during this time.

The benefits of neutering and spaying

In addition to the unwanted behavioral changes disappearing or becoming milder due to neutering, another significant advantage is that the cat does not roam as much and does not exhibit escaping behavior to the same extent. In fact, even the marking behavior may decrease or stop completely. And of course, it is very important to prevent unwanted breeding. This is necessary considering that there are millions of stray and feral cats, whose lives are rarely not roses all the way.

Furthermore, what we consider very important to highlight are the diseases. Testicular cancer, pyometra, or mammary tumors are all potentially fatal diseases that can be avoided through neutering and spaying.

Misconceptions surrounding neutering and spaying

VCA Animal Hospital emphasizes also that neutered and spayed cats do not become fat or lazy if provided with the proper diet and exercise. Due to changes in hormone levels, the cat may feel hungrier, but it does not need more calories. To avoid overfeeding or nutrient deficiencies, it is recommended to feed your pet with specially formulated complete food for neutered cats.

It may be worthwhile to provide more opportunities for the cat to exercise, especially if you feel that it has exhausted itself with only 1-2 minutes of play a day so far. The indoor environment is undoubtedly less stimulating than the outdoors, so it is important for every cat to compensate for this with food puzzles and toys and play.

Neutering does not affect the physical characteristics of the cat, such as its final weight or length. Most experts recommend performing the procedure before puberty, before any problems may arise in the cat. In the case of your own pet, it is definitely worth consulting with a veterinarian. Thus, taking into account individual characteristics, you can determine the most appropriate time.