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Why Is My Cat Hyper After Being Neutered? (Traumatized?)

If your cat is acting hyper directly after it has been neutered you may be wondering why this is and when is it likely to calm down…

Why is my cat hyper after being neutered?

Your cat may be acting hyper after being neutered because it may be in pain, recovering from the anesthesia, or mad at you for the experience it just had. In most cases, once it has a few days to recover it will return to normal.

So, now you know. But, can only male cats get neutered? Do cats get depressed after being neutered? Will it stop your cat from meowing all the time? Keep reading for these answers, and much more…

What is cat neutering?

Cat neutering is when it’s surgically altered so it cannot reproduce. The term, “neutering” comes from the Latin word “Neuter”, according to Wikipedia. This means the removal of an animal’s reproductive organs. Notice it refers to animals in general and not one specific sex.

I say this because there is a belief that neutering is only possible for male cats, which is untrue. It applies to either males or females.

When a female is neutered, this is known as it getting spayed, and for males is known as castration. But, for some reason, the word neutered is mainly used for male cats, maybe because it sounds better than castration.

3 Reasons why your cat is hyper after being neutered:

Earlier I briefly explained a few reasons why your cat may be hyper after being neutered. So, in this section I will give you more detail on each one:

01. In pain

After surgery, and after the anesthesia wears off, your cat may be feeling sore, in pain, or just frustrated. So, it may react hyper as a reaction to this discomfort. However, it is not expected to last more than a few days. So, if it goes on longer than this you may need to get it checked out.

02. Feeling angry at you

Due to the discomfort that your cat may be in it may feel angry with you. Unfortunately, some cats will act this way and it will take them some time to get over this. So, this is why at least a few days are needed.

03. Recovering from anesthesia and surgery

Sometimes the recovery from the anesthesia and surgery has weird effects on the cat. And, you may see this hyper behavior. They usually get over it naturally after a few days, so be patient and see if it gets better.

Do only male cats get neutered?

Male and female cats can get neutered. Many people will assume this only refers to male cats. But, this is a general term for both sexes. Female cats are known to get spayed, but the term neutering covers both processes used for male and female cats.

So, if you have assumed that only male cats can be neutered then know you know that is not the case and it can apply to either sex. As discussed earlier, for males, the surgery is specifically called castration but is usually just referred to as neutering.

What should you do if your cat is hyper after being neutered?

If your cat is acting hyper after surgery you may need to isolate it to keep it safe. This would require a small room to reduce the chance of it jumping around and potentially damaging itself or its stitches. once the effects wear off you can carry on as normal.

It may seem interesting to see your cat going crazy around your house but there is a good chance that it could injure itself so these precautions may be required to help it out and avoid problems. Also, it could cause damage to your home.

How long after neutering will my cat calm down?

After neutering your cat may not calm down completely for a month. However, some cat owners have seen hyperactivity reduction within a few days. So, it largely depends on the cat. Also, depending on the age that it was done, there is a chance the cat could continue being aggressive.

So, each cat needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to see how it will react. It is quite hard to deal with the hyperactivity so hopefully, your cat will act fine after a few days.

Do male cats change after being neutered?

Male cats are likely to change after being neutered. Some cat owners see improvements in their temperament, grooming, and the smell of their urine. One of the reasons cat owners consider this operation, aside from controlling their reproduction, is to control their behavior.

So, if you have noticed improved behavior changes in your cat, after the initial reaction to surgery, this is likely to be a result of this. Changes may also include less meowing because they have lost the urge to chase female cats in heat.

Do cats get depressed after being neutered?

Cats are not expected to get depressed after being neutered. After the initial soreness, they are usually unaware of the surgery but will lose the desire to seek a mate or to mate at all. There are cases of cats humping or spraying after being neutered, but in general, they behave better.

As a human, you would expect a cat to get depressed after such surgery. But, cats are different from us and react differently. They also do not treat mating in the same emotional way we do.

There is no love attached to it, it’s just an instinctual urge. And after neutering they lose that urge, which usually changes their mood and behavior.

Can cats use the litter box after being neutered?

Cats can use the litter box after being neutered. But, for male cats, it is advised not to use normal, clumping, or Japanese litter directly after. Instead, you may need to use some newspaper shreds temporarily. This is because a male cat is left without any stitches for it to heal naturally.

So, if you have a big stock of litter and have just had your male cat neutered it won’t be wasted. But, you will need to leave it for a little while until your cat recovers. Once it recovers it is fine.

Will my male cat stop meowing after being neutered?

A neutered male is likely to meow less. Especially when it comes to detecting female cats that are in heat. This is because the surgery will surgically alter the cat and make it lose the desire to chase these female cats. Often, when male cats are searching for a mate, they may meow or howl excessively.

So, if you have had issues with your male cat meowing all the time and hoped this surgery might help, there is a chance that it will. I say this cautiously because every cat is different and may react differently than other cats.

Is it OK for your cat to go outside after being neutered?

It is not advisable to let your cat out directly after being neutered. For male cats, they need at least one week before they can be let outside. For females, the dependency is on the removal of their stitches. But, either way, they shouldn’t;t be allowed straight out.

Why is spaying a cat known to be so complex?

While the surgery itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes, you need to keep in mind that it is still surgery and your cat is going to need time to recover.

The best thing that you can do is make sure that they are comfortable and not too stressed at home, and a few of their favorite treats would certainly not go amiss.

Cats recover fairly quickly from spaying or neutering, but you’ll want to make sure that you keep them inside for at least a couple of days so that the sutures can heal. While technically they should ‘take it easy’ for the next two weeks, your cat should be feeling better within a few days, provided that they get some rest.

Why do cat owners neuter their cats?

Spaying and neutering not only calms your cat, but it can greatly extend their lives. Cats are fairly prone to certain types of cancers, with testicular and breast cancer being fairly high on the list.

 Spaying or neutering your cat reduces the chances of these cancers occurring, at the same time that they make your cat less territorial and better-behaved. Your cat also has less chance of developing prostate problems and uterine cancers, as well, so overall neutering or spaying your cat is a positive thing.

Can your cat’s personality change after spaying or neutering?

Your cat will seem a bit calmer, and with males, you will notice a lot less aggression. Once your cat is recovered, however, you won’t notice huge changes in their personality.

Spaying or neutering reduces aggression, making your cat less territorial and with females, you won’t have to worry about a heat cycle, but beyond these things, you won’t notice much beyond your cat is a little more mellow.

If your cat tends to mark areas of the house, then you will notice a change in this behavior, as cats will feel less driven to ‘mark’ their territory in this way. This won’t completely change such behaviors, however, so you’ll still want to clean any ‘marked’ areas with enzymatic cleaners.

Your cat will just be less likely to initiate these behaviors in the first place.

Are female cats attracted to unneutered males?

Cats are very scent-driven creatures and an unneutered male will smell different from a neutered one. While this will certainly make a difference, however, a neutered male cat will still be attracted to females and sometimes even attempt mating… there just won’t be any kittens as a result.

If the cat is older, then you won’t see much difference in their behavior, as they’ve spent a few years already establishing habits. When cats are neutered early, however, then territorial and mating aggression is definitely lessened to a noticeable degree.

If your cats are mates, then don’t worry. Neutering certainly calms the males, but they still find pleasure with their mate, they will just be a lot less aggressive than they were before.

What impact do spaying and neutering have on your cat?

Spaying or neutering your cat isn’t just for preventing kittens. While that is certainly a plus (even though they are adorable), spaying or neutering your cat also reduces the chances of uterine cancers, and breast cancer, and even increases your cat’s expected lifespan.

Without spaying or neutering, female cats can go into heat as often as every 2 to 3 weeks, and males can be quite aggressively territorial, wandering in a wide range of areas and often getting into fights, increasing the chance that your kitty could come home injured.

Overall, spaying or neutering your cat is not only the most responsible choice, but it is a much healthier one for your cat in the long run.

What care should you offer your cat after being neutered?

Your cat should recover quite easily from spaying or neutering, typically within 1 to 2 days, but for the next 2 weeks, you should try to keep the environment as calm and stress-free as possible. It’s surgery, after all, so just treat it as you would if you were getting the surgery yourself.

Foods, comfy places to sleep… you get the idea! Just make sure that your cat is comfortable, there is good food, plenty of water, and no games with the laser pointer until your kitty is feeling and acting like its old self.

Let’s take a look at a few things that can help your kitty along during this time, just to be thorough.

Indoors and calm

Don’t have guests over. Right now your cat is recuperating and it’s best to keep things as calm and serene as possible at home. If you have the spare space, set up a room where your cat can go to be alone, and make sure there is something fluffy to nestle in and something yummy to eat.

Keep other pets or kids away

If you have a dog or other animals, it’s best to keep them reigned in to give your kitty some space. After all, they’ve just had surgery, and while spaying and neutering have a quick recovery time, your kitty still needs time to heal.

Keep other pets at a distance, using a kennel or crate if you have to, for at least 2 days so that your cat’s sutures can heal and you won’t have to worry about interference.

Monitor it

You’ve got to watch your cat while they are healing and while they will likely be fine, this is not a time to be la under supervision.

Your cat may well scratch or otherwise wear away at their sutures if you don’t keep an eye on them, so it’s up to you to watch and make sure that they are leaving them alone and well on their way to healing.

A small amount of food

Smaller amounts of food are a good idea during this time, though you can hop up the calories if you like to treat your cat a little. With dry food, a good trick is to add hot water, with a little chicken or beef broth, and this will expand and soften the food nicely to make it easier to eat for your cat.

One word of warning, however, is that your kitty might love this and you might have to do this with dry food from now on!

Offer a clean litterbox

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Cats hate when a litterbox isn’t clean and right now, your kitty is healing, so it pays to be sure that you are minding their litter. A good trick is to have a spare box, clean and ready, that you can swap out with the old one as needed.

Cats are meticulously clean when they can be, so make sure that your kitty has a clean and perfect litter box while they are healing. It just takes a few minutes, and your kitty will appreciate the effort.

Use shredded paper litter instead

Your cat’s nether regions are a bit chafed—to say the least. Switching to a lighter, paper litter can help your cat to have an easier time when nature calls and to heal more quickly as a result. Try switching to shredder paper litter for at least this space of healing – it will make things much easier for your cat.

Can a female cat still go into heat after being spayed?

While it’s uncommon, yes, your female can still go into heat, though you won’t have to worry about kittens. Despite surgical management, she will still sometimes feel attracted to nearby males, though it should pass much more quickly than it did before.

The good news is that you won’t see it often, and your female cat will be less prone to certain cancers due to the surgery. Just keep in mind that if you have a male cat in the house, sometimes, well… nature happens!

What behaviors might you see after a female cat is spayed?

Once you’ve got your cat spayed, she may act a little differently, and this is to be expected. After all, it is major surgery, so let’s take a look at some common behaviors that you should expect.

Howling

Just because you’ve gotten your kitty spayed, doesn’t mean that she won’t get hormonal. There is still a possibility that she is going to howl and attempt to find a mate, regardless of how fruitful such a coupling might be.

Giving your cat a little space is the best idea and tries to keep things as isolated as possible so that your kitty has time to heal and no temptation during the process.

Scalp rubbing

In some cases, cats will rub at their scalp excessively after spaying or neutering, and while this is more common with older cats, you should be prepared. This behavior is, in fact, completely normal, so don’t worry over much – if it gets worse, a quick vet visit can help, but generally, it will quickly pass.

Rolling around

Your cat still feels like mating, so rolling around and making a lot of noise may occur. Don’t worry – it will pass – but for now, your cat still wants kittens and this behavior is normal. After a few days, your cat will calm down, and things should get back to normal.

Marking their territory to attract tomcats

Your cat might urinate in spots to attract toms, but you can’t discipline her. Cats are wired to attract by scent, so this is completely normal. Clean the area with an enzymatic cleaner, as bleach or detergents won’t do, and be thorough about it.

If the female smells her scent in an area, she will mark it again, so just ‘roll with it’ and keep the area clean until this behavior passes. It’s completely normal. While urine smells foul to us, she is making a signature marker for the male during this time.

Once her hormones shift a bit, you won’t see this behavior again, so you’ll just need to be a little patient for now.

Are male cats calmer after being neutered?

Yes, male cats calm considerably when neutered, although older cats may well be the exception. When older, they have had more time to develop habits and so it may take longer for them to calm down a bit.

With kittens, you hardly notice the time, and neutering or spaying early won’t make them grow more slowly, so this is the best time to get this sort of surgery done.