Your cat’s health is a top priority. If she has trouble eating after being spayed or neutered, she may have an infection or other health problem.
Since it’s difficult to find information on why your cat isn’t eating, here’s what you should look at.
Let’s start now.
Is It Normal For A Cat To Not Eat After Being Spayed?
Yes, it is usual for a cat to not want to eat for several days after spaying or neutering procedures.
You and your feline buddy will almost surely experience some pain and discomfort afterward.
Keep your furry friend hydrated and give her pain medicine when she needs it. This will help her feel less stressed and get back to normal.
How Long Does It Take For An Unspayed Cat To Eat After Surgery?
Cats are not like other dogs who eat as soon as they hear the can opener. Some cats refuse to eat for a few days to recover after surgery.
The cat’s appetite fails to return if the surgery was complex or extensive.
Why Is Your Cat Not Eating After Spay?
Stomach Problems
Your cat’s stomach may be too sensitive or swollen for it to digest food well.
It can take up to 48 hours for a cat’s stomach to be back to normal after spaying or neutering procedures.
Give her a couple of soft meals until she gets used to it.
You should not push your cat to eat after surgery, especially if you’ve restricted her movement following surgery.
Remember that your cat’s refusal to eat after spaying is totally normal, so do not panic if she’s not taking food right away.
Dehydration
Going without food or water for an extended time can cause dehydration in cats, just like in humans.
Dehydration should not be underestimated since, like humans, it can be dangerous for cats’ health.
Whether your cat isn’t drinking after surgery or not, carefully monitor how much water she consumes until her stomach returns to normal and her appetite returns.
When a cat is dehydrated, she will have a dry mouth, dry skin, lack of energy, a lot of thirst, and urine that is dark in color.
Elizabeth Collar
The Elizabeth collar is intended to keep animals from licking surgical wounds or incisions.
It wraps around the cat’s neck and up her head and is typically secured with tape or a leash fastener.
The collar is not effective for cats since they love to squeeze their heads into tight spaces.
Similarly, the Elizabethan collar is bad for cats since they dislike it and will scratch at it with their paws until it comes off.
Cats are less likely to get dehydrated than dogs because their kidneys are better at getting rid of waste from the body.
Cats are free spirits that dislike wearing collars anyway, so it should not be a problem for her to move around without a collar on at all.
Pain
Aside from being sick, your cat friend might be in pain and unable to eat normally.
If the anesthesia wears off and there is pain from the procedure, your kitten will be unable to eat.
Also, the surgery can make some cats’ bellies hurt, which can make them not want to eat.
Anesthesia
Cats often experience nausea after anesthesia because the drugs used can upset their stomachs.
The anaesthetic wears off gradually during the recovery period, so give it some time before you force-feed your pet again.
Most of the time, the anesthetic procedure starts with an intravenous injection that goes straight into her bloodstream and gives her relief right away.
To keep her anesthetized during the procedure, the veterinarian will place a breathing tube down her throat to ensure that she stays unconscious and immobile.
What Happens If a Cat Doesn’t Eat After Spaying?
If your cat does not eat after spaying, she may be ill. Be prepared to take her to the vet as soon as you notice the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Your cat’s vomiting may be due to nausea from anesthesia.
If severe vomiting occurs, it may also be an indication of dehydration or internal bleeding.
If you notice that her vomiting is constant and uncontrollable, call your veterinarian right away.
In testinal health problems
Your cat’s intestine could be blocked or infected. If left untreated, she could develop severe dehydration and suffer internal bleeding.
Her abdomen will be swollen and very painful. The condition is called enteritis, and she will need strong antibiotic treatments to get her health back on track.
Your veterinarian may recommend additional tests or X-rays to determine the cause of your cat’s illness.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Doesn’t Eat After Being Spayed?
Make Use Of Medicines
Even if all else fails, you must give your cat medicine if she refuses to eat after spaying.
Don’t panic if your cat refuses to take medicine or eats small amounts of food.
Remember that it’s normal for your cat to experience nausea, so give your cat pain medications twice daily for a few days until her appetite returns.
Experiment
Many cats are very finicky eaters and will only eat certain foods.
They may be more open to eating something new after recovering from surgery than before, so be sure to try new foods with your cat.
Stay With Her
Sometimes, after such a traumatic event as spaying, it can be challenging for a cat to recover on her own.
After surgery, avoid leaving your kitten alone for at least a week so that she can rest and recover in peace.
Pet her to offer your support and provide comfort during this time of recovery.
Try Feeding Her By Hand
After the treatment, your cat may be a bit scared to eat by herself because of the pain associated with the surgery.
Put some food on your hand and slowly feed it to her while she’s lying down in her cage to prevent her from accidentally biting you.
You may even gently touch her hand to get her attention and encourage her to nibble the food from your hand.
Small and Frequent Meals
It is critical to avoid pushing your cat to eat more food than she wants to eat after surgery because that could compromise her health.
It’s important to have some food and water in the cage at all times to prevent dehydration in cats that refuse to eat after spaying.
Many cats will feel better as soon as they’re allowed to eat on their own, but for others, it may take a few days before they’re ready to eat again.
Follow The Prescribed Guide
A nutritious diet is vital for your pet all year, but especially for injured or sick pets. That’s especially true during recovery.
If your vet told you to give her a special diet after the surgery, be sure to do as he says.
Do not give your cat leftover food from your own plate. To make sure your cat recovers well from the procedure, it’s important to carefully follow your vet’s instructions.
Call Your Vet
If your cat doesn’t eat after 24 hours, contact your vet immediately.
Ask your veterinarian for a prescription diet to give your cat until she is well enough to eat again on her own.
You can also ask your vet whether you can give her a small amount of wet food mixed with water.
Also Read: Why Is Cat Depressed After Spay?
Final Words
Do not wait too long to seek help for your pet.
This is one of the many reasons it’s so important to contact a veterinarian as soon as you suspect something may be wrong with your pet.
Your cat’s diet has a big influence on her overall health, so it’s important to stick to a healthy and varied menu that meets all her nutritional needs.