Why Does My Cat’s Sides Sunken In After Spaying? [See Inside!]

Cats are amazing creatures, and spaying is integral to their health care.

Unfortunately, after a cat has been spayed, it can sometimes have its sides sunken.

This condition is known as “spay depression” or “sunken flank syndrome,” and there are several reasons why this might happen:

  • Loss of fat due to the surgery.
  • Changes in hormones that affect metabolism.
  • Stress from anesthesia during the procedure.
  • Poor nutrition before/after surgery.

Pet owners should take these issues seriously because they could lead to serious medical problems for cats if left untreated!

Some signs that your cat may suffer from “spay depression” include loss of appetite, lethargy or lack of energy levels compared with normal behavior before being spayed 

so keep an eye out for any changes you notice!

Why Does My Cat Look Skinnier After Being Spayed?

Cats that have been spayed may look skinnier than before the procedure.

After being spayed, cats tend to be less active as they recover from their operation. This is because of several reasons:

  1. Spaying removes a cat’s reproductive organs, which can cause weight loss due to decreased hormone levels.
  2. The surgery requires anesthesia and pain medication, which can reduce appetite.

These factors all explain why your cat might appear thinner after spaying.

It’s important not to worry too much, though 

this change in body shape should only last for a few weeks until your pet returns to its standard size!

Additionally, you must provide plenty of nutritious food during recovery 

so that she has enough energy while healing up properly 

make sure lots of yummy treats are available at home!

Why Does A Cat Develop Sunken In Sides After Spaying?

A cat’s body changes after spaying for a variety of reasons.

The most common reason is that the surgery removes fat and muscle from her abdomen, which can cause sunken sides.

Additionally, cats may lose weight due to decreased appetite or activity levels following the procedure.

This also contributes to their new shape.

Other factors include:

  • Hormone imbalances – Spayed cats no longer produce hormones like estrogen and progesterone, so they no longer store as much fat in some regions of their bodies.
  • Stress – Surgery itself can be stressful on an animal’s system. It takes time for cats to adjust to everyday routines afterward (which include eating).
  • Pain medication side effects: Some pain medications during recovery temporarily decrease appetite. 

In contrast, others increase thirst leading some animals not to want food but drink more water than usual, resulting in dehydration and causing further loss of muscle mass/weight around the midsection area.

That makes ribs appear more prominent than before surgery was done.

All these combined contributed to why your pet might develop sunken-in sides post-spay!

How Do You Treat Your Cat’s Sunken In Sides?

When it comes to treating your cat’s sunken sides, there are a few things you can do.

  1. Ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. This will help keep them hydrated and prevent their skin from becoming too dry or flaky.
  2. Provide high-quality food with lots of protein for optimal nutrition. This is especially important if the cat has been losing weight recently due to illness or other factors.
  3. Give regular grooming sessions so mats or tangles can be removed before they become painful for the animal. Brushing also helps distribute natural oils throughout its coat, keeping it healthy and shiny!

Finally – don’t forget about playtime: cats need mental stimulation and physical exercise to stay happy and active!

Do Cats Lose Weight After Being Spayed?

Yes, cats do lose weight after being spayed.

This is because the surgery removes their reproductive organs and hormones, which can cause them to eat less than before.

Spaying also reduces a cat’s appetite due to pain or discomfort from the procedure.

Here are some essential facts about this:

  • Cats typically lose 1-2 pounds in total following spay surgery.
  • It usually takes 4-6 weeks for your pet’s body weight to return to normal.
  • Suppose you notice that your cat has lost more than 2 pounds post-surgery. In that case, it may indicate underlying health issues like infection or dehydration. So contact your vet immediately!

Here are some tips on how you can help ensure healthy weight loss during recovery: 

  • Provide plenty of fresh water at all times.
  • Feed smaller meals daily instead of one large meal once daily.
  • Offer high-quality wet food with added vitamins and minerals (this will provide essential nutrients while helping keep calories low).
  • Monitor activity level closely – if there is any decrease in physical activity, then reduce calorie intake accordingly until they start moving around again usually.

By taking these steps into consideration when caring for a recently spayed feline companion, owners should have no problem ensuring safe and successful weight management over time!

Is It Normal For Cats To Lose Weight After Being Spayed?

Yes, it is normal for cats to lose weight after being spayed.

This can happen due to a variety of reasons:

  • Reduced appetite – After the surgery, your cat may not like eating as much. This could lead to some weight loss.
  • Increased activity level – Your cat might be more active than usual and burn off extra calories, leading to them losing some pounds.
  • Hormonal changes – Spaying alters hormone levels that affect metabolism and energy expenditure. This results in decreased food intake and potential weight loss if left unchecked by their owners/caretakers.

It’s essential for pet parents who have recently had their feline friend spayed to keep an eye on her diet and exercise habits so they don’t become too thin!

Here are a few tips you should consider when monitoring your kitty’s health post-surgery:

  1. Monitor how much she eats daily and ensure no sudden decrease or increase in appetite.
  2. Ensure she gets plenty of playtime with toys (or other pets!) daily to stay physically active.
  3. Talk with your vet about what type of nutrition would best suit her needs during recovery from surgery, such as high-protein diets specifically designed for cats recovering from surgeries like these!

Conclusion: Cat’s Sides Sunken In After Spaying

In conclusion, spaying a cat can have many benefits.

It helps reduce the number of unwanted cats in our communities and their risk for certain types of cancer.

However, pet owners should be aware of some risks of this procedure, such as pain at the incision site.

Possible infection or bleeding.

And temporary sunken sides due to fluid loss during surgery.

These potential side effects do not outweigh the long-term health benefits of spaying your cat.

Still, I recommend discussing all options thoroughly with your veterinarian before deciding whether you want to proceed with this operation on your beloved feline companion!

Leave a Comment