I posted yesterday about my cat being neutered but on a different thread. This is about something else entirely.
So, my cat was neutered on Tuesday. I've noticed he's been quite out of sorts since then. He's just not himself.
On the plus side, he's eating really well and constantly begging for food (I've cut back his portions because of the risk of weight gain). Everything's fine on that front!
But I can tell he's not right. He plays for a couple of minutes and then goes straight to sleep, literally collapsing onto his cushion or the sofa.
Also, when he does play with me, you can see he's quite weak.
I'm really worried! It's been 48 hours since his op, so surely he should be okay by now?
Especially as my vet told me he'd be back on his feet the day after the operation... but it's been 48 hours and he's still not right.
I just hope it’s not a complication.
I'm someone who worries way too much about their cat, so sorry in advance.
Thanks in advance for your replies!
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
@Kalou124
Probably not, as the veterinary world is driven by the big brands (the ones you find in their surgeries) that have snubbed grain-free food for now, because it would hit their profits.
That said, grain-free food isn’t a magic bullet; it’s still a processed product, and it’s a bit of a free-for-all driven by the pursuit of profit.
You’re the one ruling out the idea that CKD is linked to diet, presumably based on what your vet told you. But do you really think they’d shoot themselves in the foot? Are you prepared to believe that they might be lying to you, perhaps out of ignorance or for their own gain?
You’ve fallen for the idea that your cat is a senior at just 7 years old – it’s so easy to manipulate people.
Kind regards
My cat was very lethargic for three days after being neutered. My vet recommended S/O index dry food for neutered cats to prevent struvite crystals, which are common in males. So I fed him Royal Canin Neutered Young Male (up to 7 years) and then the senior version. You should keep the receipts and barcodes because if they do get struvite crystals, RC will reimburse the vet bills. You can find them on pet websites like Zooplus. I’ve always let him free-feed and he hasn’t put on any weight.
It’s extraordinary how this "industry" sets you up to have sick cats and you just believe them; you follow them like sheep. I’m not picking on you specifically @Kalou124, but you’re just one example among many, many others.
Kind regards
You don't ration a kitten; it's the best way to make them food-obsessed, prone to binge-eating, obese, and so on...
If you're worried about them putting on fat, avoid giving them dry food packed with carbs and go for grain-free wet food instead. (Dry food is four times more calorie-dense than wet food.)
You’ll never make a cat obese by feeding them high-quality wet food.
Just keep in mind that your vet is also a pet food salesman and is primarily advising you in their own (financial) interest.
Yeah, but at the end of the day, he's your cat and it's your call! It depends on the vet—some want cats to be skinny, while others prefer them to be a bit more "well-covered". My vet prefers the latter, and I'm 100% with her on that. If they fall ill, they can lose up to half their body weight, and if they don't have any reserves to fall back on, it's a total disaster!
Everyone does what they think is best, but a hungry cat is an unhappy cat. They'll end up developing behavioural issues and might start scavenging for whatever they can get their paws on.
One wet food pouch (which is 80% water anyway) for the whole day plus about an ounce (30g) of dry food? Mine would've staged a proper sit-in protest with banners: "End the cruelty, starving cats unite!" 😁
Six months old is basically the equivalent of a late-teenager. That's the stage where they're still growing and filling out; they need the calories, especially since they're so active.
See what other people think, but I'd be wary of vets who push for strict portion control—it doesn't sit right with me at all. It’s like putting a teenage girl on a diet just to keep up with the latest fashion trends.
Hi there,
Thanks so much for getting back to me!!
I'm rationing his food because that's what the vet told me to do... He said to give him one pouch of wet food a day (half in the morning and the other half in the evening).
And about an ounce (30g) of dry food throughout the day.
My cat is six months old and before his op, he was free-fed and could help himself to dry food whenever he wanted.
I must admit, it breaks my heart to limit his food this much, but the vet didn't really give me a choice.
It all depends on the cat—some get the zoomies the very same evening, while for others it can take up to three days to shake off the effects of the anaesthetic.
However, if you start restricting his food, he’s going to be miserable. A neutered cat doesn’t put on weight any more than any other cat, and giving them special food only serves to make them even hungrier as it’s less filling. Your cat will just end up constantly begging for food and overeating. Just carry on as you were before with the same portions; that’s what I’ve always done and my cats haven't put on any extra weight. Especially if he’s a young cat, he needs to fill out and build up his strength if you don't want him to end up being sickly.
