If you own a cat, you would know and might have witnessed the debaucheries your cat caused while in heat. Like every living being, cats too have their reproductive cycle during which they become hyperactive. Owners of cats opt for cat spaying to prevent pregnancies and relieve themselves from their cats’ frenzied state. Spaying also prevents the chances of ovarian and uterine cancers.
But cats are not aware of the benefits of spaying. So, you would think they are mad at you for spaying them when they are scratching, hissing, or showing other hyperactive behavior.
The reasons for their aggressiveness might surprise you. But before going into the reasons for their mad behavior, here are a few essential things you need to know about spaying.
Benefits of Cat Spaying
Cat spaying is a prevalent procedure done in female non-breeding cats. It is a surgical procedure known as an ovariohysterectomy in which the ovaries and uterus are removed to sterilize the cat. It prevents several fatal ailments in cats.
Aside from reducing the chances of cancer, spaying your cat will prevent the development of pyometra, which is a surgery-requiring fatal condition of the uterus.
If your cat has diabetes or epilepsy, spaying will help impediment hormonal changes with medication.
Spaying will also result in the cessation of the estrus cycle. It is the heat cycle experienced in cats once they reach puberty, around seven months of age. During the heat cycle, the cat will be in a state to receive mates. The cycle lasts for about a week in each estrus cycle.
The cat may show extreme behaviors of aggression, tantrums, and hostility. Spaying prevents such intemperateness in cats. But in some cases, spayed cats may show signs of the estrus cycle. Let us find out the reasons for this!
Why Do Spayed Cats Show Signs of Estrus Cycle?
There are several reasons spayed cats show signs of the estrus cycle.
Reasons |
How does it Impact Cats? |
| Incomplete or an improper surgical procedure | If the surgical procedure of removing the ovaries and uterus were not performed properly, some parts of the ovaries would be left behind. As a result, the remnants of the ovaries producing hormones cause the cat to feel as if it is in heat. |
| Medications | Some medications can cause behavioral changes in cats that appear similar to an estrus cycle. These medications cause the cat to become more vocal, persistently seek attention, increased affection, and constantly rub and roll. |
| Catnips
|
Catnips can produce somewhat similar effects in cats. They contain nepetalactone that induces a sense of exhilaration or agitation. It tends to make them behave quite close to the heat cycle. |
| Spaying is done during the estrus cycle | If the cat was in heat when spaying, the hormones remain in the body. And the hormones will let the cat complete the cycle, and it will continue to attract mates. |
| Spaying is done in old age | Cats go through several estrus cycles in their lifetime. If the cat is spayed after it has had a kitten multiple times, then its body gets used to the hormonal changes and makes them act like that from time to time. |
| Hyperthyroidism
|
Cats with hyperthyroidism tend to show wild behaviors. Despite not having any eating disorder, hyperthyroid cats lose weight significantly and act overly active. It might sometimes resemble a cat in heat. |
| Medical Conditions | Certain medical conditions could be another reason for erratic behaviors in cats. Urinary tract infection, tapeworm, and fleas are some medical conditions that can induce such changes in cats. |
Now that we have seen the reasons for symptoms of the estrous cycle in spayed cats, it seems a bit obvious. Sometimes after getting spayed, the cat may show extreme anger and discontentment.
So, now let’s look at some of the reasons for the aggression in cats that are spayed.
Why is Your Spayed Cat Aggressive Towards You?
The following is a list of the most common and uncommon reasons for aggression in cats after getting spayed.
1. Residual Hormones
Cats in gestation, lactating, or going through their estrus cycle have increased levels of hormones in their bodily system. Spaying the cat during any of these stages can trigger extreme anger as the hormones are still running through their bodies.
2. Pain after Surgical Procedure
It is the most common reason for aggressive behavior in spayed cats. Since they recently had surgery to remove their ovaries and uterus, it is undeniable that they are in a lot of pain. The effects of surgery last a few weeks until the cat gets fully healed.
Cats tend to defend themselves by showing aggression in vulnerable states. Cats owners can use the medication provided by the vets to soothe the pain.
3. Effects of Anesthesia
In the wisdom tooth removal process, you might see several patients showing incoherent behaviors that sometimes take the form of mild aggression or frustration. Similar effects observed in cats sometimes take extreme forms.
Effects of anesthesia can remain in the cat’s bodily system for a few hours and, in some cases, a few days. If the cat is too sensitive to the anesthesia used or the dose is too high, the effects may last longer. Since the cat might hallucinate things while being under the effect of anesthesia, it will trigger its defense mode.
4. Reintroducing Your Spayed Cat
If you have other cats or pets, taking and bringing back your spayed cat can trigger territorial aggression and fights between them.
It will worsen if not detected early, as some cats might seem calm, but their stance can give them away. Starring and ready to leap postures are signs that show they are about to establish their dominance.
5. Internal Bleeding and Infection
These are two uncommon reasons among a few that cause aggression in cats. Regular visits to the vet after surgery can keep a check on this.
How Can You Reduce Aggression in Newly Spayed Cats?
Pheromone Plug-in Diffusers can induce catnip-like effects in cats but without hyperactivity. It can induce a calming and soothing effect in them.
So, you can opt for the Feliway Optimum medicine. It will help your cat to go to its “happy place” while soothing and quieting it down.
The things on string toys are also an effective way to distract cats when they show signs of extreme behavior.
Conclusion
Aggression in cats after spaying is extremely predictable. Taking proper measures to calm the cat can get it under control. Once the cat gets adjusted to the new side, the aggressive nature will wear off eventually. It is highly recommended to visit a vet for regular consultation and checkups after the procedure.
There could be underlying reasons for erratic behaviors that might not be very obvious. Seeking professional help is the best way to tackle such problems.
