As a result of being accustomed to walking throughout their lives, cats often experience physical changes after becoming female.
After becoming females, cats often develop sunken in sides in their chins. This is caused by the formation of wrinkles in the existing crevices in your cat’s chin.
So, why does a cat develop sunken in sides after spaying?
Some cats develop sunken in sides after spaying.
This happens because female cats are more sensitive to hormone fluctuations than male cats. So, after spaying, their bodies tend to retain water more than male cats’ bodies.
This leads to a condition called a seroma, which is a collection of fluid under the skin.
If you don’t treat the seroma, it can keep growing and cause the cat to gain weight, have problems with its joints, and have other health problems.
A veterinarian should carefully perform spaying to lower the chance of seroma.
If your cat has sunken in sides after spaying, you should take it to a vet as soon as possible.
Why Does My Cat Look Skinnier After Being Spayed?
Because the cats shave their undersides, it’s quite normal for them to look slimmer after surgery.
If you’ve ever had your cat spayed, you’ve undoubtedly seen a little pouch protruding from her tummy.
This little pouch gives your cat’s side a “sunken in” appearance.
Your cat will need to rest for a few days following surgery to avoid complications such as infection and injury.
Since she was put to sleep during the procedure, she might feel groggy or sleepy afterward.
Because of this, she often licks her wound too much or has trouble going to the bathroom because of the drugs used to put her to sleep during surgery.
However, your cat’s lack of appetite and any swelling should subside after a few days of recovery.
If serious symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding last for more than a week, you should call your vet right away to find out what to do.
Why Does A Cat Develop Sunken In Sides After Spaying?
Because cats don’t have reproductive organs and have estrogen in their bodies, their stomach muscles can get big and round.
For a number of reasons, this can cause the cat to develop what is known as a “pouch” in her abdomen that sticks out from the belly area slightly.
The following things have a lot to do with the formation of this pouch, which can sometimes get bigger.
You can stop your cat from having hormonal changes that cause these pouches to form only if you have her spayed.
Your cat’s reproductive organs are an important part of her body that regulates her hormones and keeps her healthy.
The considerable weight loss that occurs after the surgery will exacerbate the condition and lead to an increase in the size of the “pouch” over time.
Due to the operation and anaesthesia, a recovery period of up to two weeks is normal for a cat that has been spayed.
During the surgery, her digestive system will be upset, and it may take a while for it to get back to normal.
In other words, your cat will experience a lack of appetite or eat less than usual for a few weeks following her surgery.
Your cat is also eating less while it is healing, which is another reason why its weight has changed so much.
How Do You Treat Your Cat’s Sunken In Sides?
If the cat’s sunken-in appearance disturbs or upsets you, the most straightforward solution is to leave the cat alone.
After a few days, the appearance will normally revert to its normal state.
However, if it was caused by a seroma or an infection, then the vet may prescribe some medication to treat this.
In the case of an infection or blood surrounding the tissue in the incision, the vet will clean out the area and prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Most of the time, it is best to keep the cat inside for a few days after surgery to keep her from getting sick while she is healing.
Another key factor is feeding your recovering cat a well-balanced diet to keep her energy levels up and support her immune system during the recovery period.
If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed, there’s an excellent chance you’re not feeding your kitten a balanced diet for her stage of development.
Do Cats Lose Weight After Being Spayed?
No, cats should not lose weight after they have been spayed.
Instead, it is common for a cat to lose a considerable amount of weight after the procedure due to being under anaesthetic for several hours.
Although the typical cat should weigh between 7 and 12 pounds, the weight loss after the procedure can be as much as 10% of its overall body weight.
Is It Normal For Cats To Lose Weight After Being Spayed?
Your cat may seem underweight, but this could also be due to the natural weight loss that occurs after the operation.
A more common occurrence is seeing your cat gain a small amount of weight over the months following their surgery.
Cats that have been spayed will often grow back to their original size after a few months.
After spaying, a cat’s metabolism slows somewhat, and some body fat is lost as a result.
Also Read: How To Stop Kitten Trying To Nurse On Spayed Cat
Final Words
Seeing a cat’s sides sunken in after spaying might be frightening for any cat owner.
Usually, this is all part of the process and will gradually disappear over time as your cat heals from her surgery.
If you notice any unusual symptoms or changes that last beyond a few weeks, contact your vet for advice on how to treat them. It could be a sign of something more serious.
So, think about the first pouch and keep in mind that having your cat spayed is a common procedure that shouldn’t hurt her health or appearance in the long run.
As long as she gets the right care and attention during her recovery, her recovery will go smoothly from here on out.