Preventive care goes beyond vaccines and routine checkups. Having your pet fixed can protect it from serious health issues. Our veterinarians in Citrus County discuss the behavior of male cats before and after neutering and what to expect during recovery.
Neutering Your Male Cat
Many cat owners face the decision of whether to get their cats neutered or not. This decision can be made with the help of a veterinarian. Neutering involves removing a male cat's testicles, which produce most of their testosterone.
Testosterone controls a male cat's sexual behavior, including roaming, aggression toward other males, and spraying (territory marking).
By neutering your male cat, you can prevent or reduce these behaviors and prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and several serious health conditions.
Male Cat Behavior After Neutering
Neutering your male cat can help reduce or prevent unwanted behaviors associated with testosterone, such as sexual behaviors. These changes can occur immediately or several weeks after the procedure. Factors such as age, breed, or environment do not typically significantly impact these changes.
By reducing your cat's desire to roam, the risk of accidents related to wandering decreases. Additionally, neutered cats are less likely to be scratched or bitten by other cats, which can expose them to illnesses, as their aggression towards male cats is lowered.
Neutering may also reduce your cat's tendency to spray urine to mark its territory. However, the behavior may not be eliminated, as cats also do this when nervous. You will notice that the urine smell is less intense in neutered cats.
There are many misconceptions about the behavioral effects of neutering on cats. Neutering does not make cats lazy or fat, as long as you provide them with a healthy diet and enough exercise. However, neutering can slow down your male cat's metabolism slightly, so you may need to reduce the calories you feed them and provide them with extra playtime.
Any behaviors unrelated to hormones, such as hunting, will not be affected by neutering.
Male Cats Recovery After Neutering
After a male cat is neutered, it's common for them to experience some side effects due to the anesthesia and the procedure itself. These side effects can include lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and discomfort. Therefore, it is important to carefully follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your veterinarian to ensure that your cat recovers safely and quickly.
When you bring your cat home after the procedure, keeping them in a dark, quiet room is recommended. This is because the protective ointment your vet may have applied to your cat's eyes can make them light-sensitive. Your cat may also be uncomfortable, which could cause them to be aggressive. For this reason, we recommend keeping other people and pets away from your furry friend during this time.
After bringing your male cat in for neutering, you can help recovery by taking the following precautions. You will want to monitor the incision site for any signs of infection or unusual discharge, restrict your cat's physical activity, and provide a comfortable and stress-free environment for them to rest and recover. You should also:
- During the first 24 hours, give your cat a small amount of water to sip on and only a quarter or half portion of their food to limit vomiting.
- Keep a clean litter box close to their resting area so they don't need to walk far to relieve themselves.
- Use shredded paper instead of kitty litter for the first week to prevent dust and dirt from getting stuck in the incision site.
- Don't let your cat run, jump, climb stairs, or go outside for the first seven days after their procedure because it could slow their healing. We recommend keeping them in a crate or secure room during this time.
If after 48 hours your cat is still vomiting, lethargic, having diarrhea, or their appetite isn't returning, call your vet immediately or bring them to the closest emergency veterinarian.
How long does it take for a male cat to recover from neutering?
It typically takes your cat up to seven days to recover after neutering procedures. It's important to monitor for any of the signs above and contact your vet if you notice any lingering or worsening symptoms. While your cat is healing, do not let them run, jump, or play with other animals.
As your cat reaches the one-week post-op mark, you can slowly start letting them return to normal activity. If your cat is an outdoor cat, they can begin to venture back outside after seven days.
What To Watch for After Neutering Your Cat
Please keep in mind the following information about your cat's recovery after neutering:
It is normal for cats to experience side effects such as lethargy, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting after the procedure. However, if these symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, you should contact your veterinarian.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, your cat may have difficulty urinating or defecating normally. You should seek veterinary care if your cat has not relieved themself normally after 72 hours.
It is important to monitor your cat's incision site for any bleeding. While it is normal to see a small amount of blood around the incision site during the first 24 hours, contact your vet if you notice bleeding after this time frame.
After being neutered, cats may experience discomfort and pain for up to 36 hours. Your vet will provide your cat with long-lasting pain medication to manage their pain. If you think your cat needs additional pain medication, contact your vet. Never give your cat medications designed for humans or any medications without consulting your vet first. Many medications can be toxic to cats and cause serious health complications, including death.
If you recently brought your male cat in for neutering and have noticed the following side effects, please get in touch with your veterinarian immediately:
- The incision site has reopened
- Pus or discharge coming from the incision site
- Your cat hasn't urinated in 24 hours
- Refusing to eat
- Swelling or redness at the incision site
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.