Complete personality change after being spayed

G
Gigire Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

To give you a bit of background: a young female cat turned up at my place and essentially adopted me three months ago. I never managed to find her owners, and even though I wasn't planning on having a cat (I live in a flat), I’ve become totally smitten with her pretty quickly...

Because her calling was so frequent and really quite distressing – for both her and me – I finally had her spayed three weeks ago. And her personality has changed overnight!

She used to be quite independent, went out a fair bit (on the rooftops), didn't really look for attention and wasn't very cuddly. Since the operation, she hardly goes out at all; she constantly wants to be near me, lying down to watch me for hours sometimes while I'm at my desk. She’s become so affectionate, she’ll spontaneously roll onto her back for belly rubs, she lets me stroke her for ages, I even massage her paws... none of that ever happened before.

She’s eating much more greedily now too, and she’s started trying to nick food or finish off what’s on my plate.

Of course, it’s lovely for me... but she’s just not the same cat I knew when she first arrived! She’s lost her independence, which makes me feel a bit sad. I feel like I’ve had her ‘modified’ against her will...

Have any of you experienced such big changes with your cats after spaying? Did it end up being permanent? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

Translated from French
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4 answers
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    • Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there, Generally, people are really happy with this kind of change 👌 And no, you haven't 'changed' her, you've just freed her from the tyranny of hormones that was driving her to mate at all costs. In fact, the cat you're seeing now is the real her; her true personality is finally coming through. Everything's fine.
    Translated from French
    K
    Kelinda Icon representing the flag French
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    I agree, you've done them a massive favour. Now they won't be stressed out about having to mark their territory and they'll be less aggressive. A neutered cat becomes less aggressive and more of a homebody (since they no longer have the urge to mate, they don't want to wander off as much). They also tend to eat more because the hormonal change affects how full they feel, so it's best to get them on a specialised high-protein diet. Most importantly, a neutered cat is at a much lower risk of developing certain cancers. Even if it’s a bit strange to see their personality change so much, they really are better off this way without the stress of needing to mate and mark their territory. Also, if a cat is naturally skittish because of their past rather than their hormones, being neutered won't change that. My own really timid cat is still the same, although maybe a tiny bit less so now.
    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    It’s actually very common for spaying to change a female cat’s lifestyle. They often become more of a homebody, aren't as keen to go outside, stay closer to home, and spend more time lounging on the sofa. Essentially, they’re less active, which means you’ll need to keep a close eye on any potential weight gain and consider using a suitable dry food. So, there’s nothing at all unusual about your cat!

    A spayed cat can sometimes become noticeably more affectionate and calmer. She definitely won't be unhappy, though; it’s just a natural change in behaviour now that her hormones have settled. In fact, getting a female cat spayed is a brilliant way to improve her quality of life by avoiding all the downsides of being in heat.

    I hope that helps!

    Have a lovely day,

    Paul

    Translated from French
    N
    Natalino Icon representing the flag French
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    It’s actually the other way around, really. She was like that because her hormones wouldn’t give her a moment’s peace. For instance, a cat that is super independent and skittish will stay independent and skittish whether they’ve been neutered or not. Their brain and personality aren’t going to change. So, there's no need for any misplaced guilt; you’ve done what’s best for her (and for you... and for all the kittens she won’t be having). And right now, she’s absolutely loving life.
    Translated from French

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