Neutering is a safe and common surgery for male cats that can prevent unwanted litters, protect them from certain health issues, and even help control some undesirable behaviors. Today, our San Diego vets explain what to expect before and after neutering your male cat, including behaviors and recovery.
Neutering Your Male Cat
Most cat owners have to decide whether to get their cats neutered, which is a decision your veterinarian can help you make.
Neutering is the process of removing a male cat's testicles, which produce most of their testosterone. The testosterone in a male cat controls their sexual behavior, which also encompasses behaviors such as roaming in search of females, aggression towards other males, and spraying (territory marking).
By neutering your male cat, you are preventing or minimizing these behaviors and preventing the birth of unwanted kittens and a handful of serious health conditions.
Will my male cat's behavior change after neutering?
As mentioned above, neutering your male cat helps stop or limit undesirable behaviors associated with testosterone (sexual behaviors). These changes can occur immediately or several weeks after their procedure.
By reducing or eliminating your cat's desire to roam, the risk of them being in wandering-related accidents decreases. Their chances of being scratched or bitten by other cats (which can put your cat at risk of contracting illnesses) are also reduced because their aggression towards other male cats is typically lower after neutering.
Neutering may also reduce your cat's desire to spray to mark his territory. However, this behavior may not be completely eliminated as cats also do this when they are nervous. In cats that continue to spray, the urine smell is typically less intense after neutering.
Many misconceptions exist regarding the behavioral effects neutering has on cats. Neutering will not make your cat lazy or fat as long as you provide your furry friend with a healthy diet and enough exercise. However, neutering does slow your male cat's metabolism slightly, so you may need to reduce the number of calories you are feeding them and provide them with extra playtime.
Any behaviors unrelated to hormonal influences, including your cat's ability to hunt, will not be affected.
What should I expect from my male cat's recovery after neutering?
After being neutered, it's normal for male cats to experience side effects due to the anesthesia and the procedure itself, such as lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and discomfort. Following your vet's post-operative care instructions carefully is important so your cat can recover as safely and quickly as possible.
When you first bring your kitty home, you should keep them in a dark, quiet room because your cat's eyes may be sensitive due to the protective ointment your vet may place on them (so they don't dry out). Cats can sometimes be aggressive due to their discomfort, so we recommend keeping other people and pets away from your furry friend during this time.
Other precautions you will need to implement to help your cat recover smoothly include:
- 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 for a male cat to recover from neutering?
Male cat neutering recovery typically takes about five to seven days. It's important to monitor for any of the signs above and contact your vet if you notice any lingering or worsening symptoms. While they are healing, do not let your cat run, jump, or play with other animals. They must rest.
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, it can begin to venture back outside after seven days.
Are there any male cat neutering side effects? When should I worry?
As we said above, it's normal for cats to experience side effects such as lethargy, lack of appetite, nausea, and vomiting after being neutered, and you should call your vet if these symptoms don't go away after 48 hours.
Your cat may also be unable to urinate or defecate normally for the first 24 to 48 hours following their procedure; if 72 hours have passed and they still haven't been able to relieve themselves normally, you need to seek veterinary care.
You also need to monitor your cat's incision site for bleeding carefully. It's normal for there to be a little blood around the incision site during the first 24 hours following the procedure, but if you are still noticing blood after this time frame, contact your vet.
As expected, neutered cats will feel uncomfortable and be in some pain for about 36 days after being neutered, which is why your vet will provide your pet with long-lasting pain medications in the form of an injection to help manage your kitty's pain.
Call your vet if you believe your cat requires more pain medication at home. Do not give your cat pain medications designed for humans without consulting your vet first! Many medications can be toxic to cats, causing serious health complications and in severe situations even death.
You also need to call your vet immediately if you notice your cat exhibiting any of these signs after being neutered:
- 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.