If you’ve noticed your cat is always hungry after being spayed, you’re not alone! A very common side effect of the spaying procedure is an increased appetite in cats. However, is this increased food intake and weight gain healthy or sustainable for your cat?
Additionally, should you be implementing changes in their routine to counteract this new development? In this article, we’ll discuss the answers to those questions and additionally explore potential explanations for increased appetites and weight gain after the spaying surgery.
Is it normal for cats to be hungry after spay?
What is known for sure is that around 50% of spayed cats experience an increased appetite and food consumption. Furthermore, their body weights are observed to typically rise by almost 30%.
These numbers are significant, so it is not surprising so many cat owners observe these changes in their cats following a spaying procedure.
The reason why cats seem to develop more of an appetite following being spayed is not known for certain, but scientists have a few guesses.
Why Does My Cat Have an Increased Appetite?
One of the most common theories for why a cat’s appetite will increase post-spay is because of the organ being removed – the ovaries.
Ovaries are the primary producers of estrogen, and estrogen contributes to determining your cat’s food intake needs. It can also help tell them when they are full.
With the primary producer of estrogen removed, the amount of estrogen circulating through your cat’s body decreases significantly. This may explain why their appetite undergoes such an apparent change post-op.
Also, if you keep your cat confined after she is spayed, she might eat more because she is bored.
Is Post-Op Weight Gain Healthy?
If your cat is experiencing an increase in appetite and therefore weight gain post-op, you’re probably wondering if it has any implications on their health. While it is a normal experience for cats who have been spayed to experience, it isn’t sustainable for their long-term health.
The amount that a cat should eat and weigh to maintain a healthy lifestyle still applies. Does this mean that your cat needs to desperately lose all the weight it gained post-op? No.
However, it does mean that you need to pay extra attention to the amount of food they are eating, the quality of the food, and the amount of exercise they are getting. The weight gain and increased appetite are normal, but it is something that should be managed. Talk to your veterinarian for more information.
Your vet might also recommend that your cat wears a cone after they are spayed. Since this might make it harder for your cat to reach their food, your cat might not want to keep it on. To learn more, you should read my guide on what to do if your cat won’t keep cone on after spay.
What Should You Do if Your Cat Eats a lot After Spay?
It is best to keep a close eye on your cat’s appetite and weight following their surgery. While it is perfectly normal for your cat to be eating more and gaining more weight post-op, you just need to make sure it doesn’t cross into unhealthy territory.
Become familiar with healthy weights for cats to make sure your cat isn’t becoming obese or unhealthily overweight. Furthermore, make sure your cat doesn’t have unrestricted access to food. Since your cat has a larger appetite following the surgery, it’ll probably be making more trips to the food bowl.
Instead of leaving a bowl of food out for them to nibble on throughout the day, give them a healthy portion of food in the morning and the evening. Additionally, make sure you are feeding your cat healthy food. Consider talking to your vet about curating a healthy diet for your pet that eliminates overeating.
Wet cat food is also something to consider. Because of the amount of water in wet cat food, your cat can eat more without gaining an excessive amount of weight. Furthermore, make sure to dedicate time to make sure your cat is getting enough exercise. This involves playing with them more often and providing plenty of outlets for them to get out energy. You could try scratching posts, string toys, or interactive toys.
A good tip is that if your cat is begging for food when it is not mealtime, try playing with them instead! This will take their mind off food while still keeping them stimulated. Playing with your cat often will not only keep them healthy and fit but will also be a great bonding experience for you. You can’t go wrong!
Aside from monitoring their weight, you should also make sure your cat’s spay incision isn’t infected. To learn more, check out my article on what should a healing cat spay incision look like?
Final Thoughts
It is important to remember that both an increased appetite and gaining weight after a spay procedure are extremely common. So, it is not something that should be incredibly worrying. On the other hand, it is still important to watch your cat’s food intake and make sure that they are maintaining a healthy weight.
This can be done through curated diets, increased playtimes, and strict mealtimes. Additionally, it is a good idea to consult your veterinarian if you have additional concerns about their increased hunger.