Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/1/2009

Question
Hi..

I've got a cat that was spayed two weeks ago.. I suspect she was pregnant at the time.
Since she's come home from the op she's been a different cat and is driving us crazy.
She constantly wants to be on top of you and meows insesantly, even when you pet her. She gets irritated when you try to move her and sometimes bites. But for the most part she wont stop meowing and is on top of anything you're trying to do. Even though she purrs most of the time (in between meowing).  She also wants to get under the covers with us, which she never did before. This is not the same personality that went in before the op. Could it just be hormones? Will it dissipate? She is annoying everyone in the house with her overzealous behavior. Please help..

Everything I've read so far refers to cats getting depressed after the surgery, but this is the complete opposite.

Answer
Karen,

Actually it sounds like she is relieved! *smile*.

Some cats are more 'needy' than others and get affected by being away from their people. She may be afraid that you are going to take her to the vet or leave her again and she wants to make sure that you don't. Also some cats, like people, show stress and nervousness differently. There is also the possibility that she instinctively knew she had kittens (was pregnant) are she is are looking for them and calling for them.

That behavior should stop soon. I would suggest that you may want to get another cat for company for her. That helps a lot of times with that type of behavior. If she is missing the probable birth of kitten, she may do well with a kitten to 'mother'. It would take some of the pressure off of you to give her so much attention, and it possibly save a kitten from being euthanized because of overcrowding and who never have a chance to have enough food, have a home, or know any affection.

Try using a pet laser light where she can chase the 'little red bug', pull a string, etc. to get her mind off of things and focus on something different. That should help too.

When her hormones get back on track, and she feels secure and happy again, she should go back to her old self. Try to be patient with her until that happens. Spaying doesn't change a cat's basic personality.

Tabbi