“Overall, your cat's personality should not change,” Brömme says. Your cat may seem more reserved after getting the surgery, but that's because her hormones aren't fluctuating like they used to when she had heat cycles.
Spaying makes for a calmer cat. Without the drive to mate, your cat may be quieter and won't be prone to cat calls and the incessant need to seek out a mate. The spayed pet no longer attracts males and their annoying advances and serenades. Spayed cats are also easier to get along with.
Generally, spaying or neutering your pet will not change its personality. If there are any effects on behaviour, they tend to be positive (reducing unwanted behaviour). Spaying or neutering will not change your pet's affection level or playfulness. For females, there is typically no change at all.
Spaying is the common term used to describe the surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed completely in order to sterilize a female cat.
Spaying and neutering greatly reduces aggression in cats. More to the point, because of their impulse to be territorial it's often impossible to resolve aggression among cats if one or more cats is intact.
Recovery After Spaying Surgery
Most pets will start to feel better in 24 - 48 hours, but full recovery takes between 10 to 14 days. During this period you should aim to keep your pet calm and refrain from allowing them to jump, as this could cause the incision to reopen.
Myth: Spaying or neutering will make dogs and cats less affectionate. Truth: Freed from the urge to mate, dogs and cats tend to be calmer and more content after spaying or neutering. Spayed or neutered dogs and cats are more, not less, likely to show affection toward their human companions.
It's common for owners to get female cats spayed to remove the reproductive organs and prevent pregnancy. This procedure doesn't, however, remove all feline maternal instincts and these can still continue to be exhibited through their physical behaviour.
“Spaying eliminates heat cycles, and cats can be extremely affectionate and vocal during a heat cycle,” Brömme says. “As a result, your cat might seem a bit calmer after getting spayed because she no longer will have these cycles.”
To be clear, the question here is whether or not to spay early or after the first heat cycle. Because of significant risks of pyometra (uterine infection) or mammary cancer late in life we recommend that all female dogs not intended for breeding be spayed before their second heat cycle.
Litter dust can get into the surgery site and cause an infection. Shredded paper, a brand of litter called Yesterday's News (can be purchased at pet stores), or uncooked, long-grain rice should be used in the litter box for at least a week after surgery.
Recovery Immediately After the Procedure
The impact of the anesthesia may cause your cat to act aggressive or agitated, so keep your distance and don't handle him unless necessary. Keep your cat in a crate or small room to sleep, and make sure he is comfortable and secure.
Spaying: What to Expect
Recovery usually takes between 10-14 days, which will go by swiftly. Within a few days, your cat should begin to act like itself again.
Some hospitals prefer to keep surgery cases overnight so that they can rest in a properly confined area; some veterinarians believe that this first night of confinement helps the incision in healing.
Cats spray to attract mates.
Urine spraying is more common with intact (not neutered or fixed) male cats, but female and neutered male cats can do it as well.
Sudden jumping or stretching can disrupt the healing process and may even cause the incision to reopen. Thankfully, few procedures require a significant crate or cage rest to help your cat recover, and most outdoor cats will be able to cope well with staying indoors for a few days as they recover.
Most experts recommend that you have your cat spayed or neutered before their first heat cycle. This is the ideal time because it will further minimize potential health risks that the cat may face. Cats mature at different times, but most cats will have their first heat cycle around 5 or 6 months of age.
We recommend having your female cat spayed before her first heat cycle. Allowing your cat to have a litter of kittens would contribute to the problem of pet over-population.
While the cost to spay a cat varies, the operation typically runs from $300 to $500 for a female cat and around $200 for a male when it's done at a private, full-service veterinary practice, said Cory Smith, spokeswoman for The Humane Society of the United States.
Many girl cats love cuddling with their owners and are just as rowdy as the boys. And some males are standoffish and perfect spending time alone. Like humans, cats are individuals with their own personalities, likes, and dislikes.
Cats form attachments to their owners that are similar to those that dogs and babies form with their caregivers. You really are more than just a source of food to your cat: A study published Monday finds that cats see their owners as a source of comfort and security, too.
According to a new study, cats experience the greatest fondness for female owners.