Firstly, thanks for getting your furbaby spayed. That’s one of the best decisions you have taken, not only for your pet but also for the kittens who would have been born.
Did you know: Each year, animal shelters and animal control facilities across the country put about two million cats to death.
Spaying a cat sometimes brings up unwanted behavioral changes in them. In this article, you’ll get to know if it is normal for felines to not use the loo after being operated on and how can you make your cat use the washroom when she herself isn’t.
Let’s check it out, shall we?
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Is It Normal For Cats To Not Use The Bathroom After Being Spayed?
Your cat not wanting to urinate for 24 hours after surgery is a common occurrence.
It’s usual for your pet to not urinate or take a dump even the day before surgery. The reason can be as simple as lack of food in their stomach because you probably had deprived them of the same the day before their surgery
Although it could seem quite alarming, I can assure you—as the mother of three cats—that there is nothing to be alarmed about.
Before surgery, a cat’s bladder is usually expressed. Therefore, it’s probable that the pet has already urinated or pooped by that point.
During rehabilitation, watch your cat to make sure that it is urinating and eliminating properly.
The first 24 hours after surgery should be spent constantly monitoring urination as ovariohysterectomy runs the risk of damaging the urinary system.
As long as your cat uses the bathroom within the first 24 hours, you can cease monitoring its urinating habits. Despite the possibility of constipation, 95% of cats should recover from surgery with regular bowel movements.
I understand that you are worried about your baby, but you should avoid giving your cat human food or over-the-counter medications to treat these illnesses because many of these products may contain toxins or have negative side effects.
Must Read: Why My Cat Is Not Urinating After Spay?
When can my cat use the litter box after being spayed?
Litter dust can enter the surgical incision and result in an infection, according to ASPCA. For at least a week following surgery, the litter box should be filled with shredded paper like “Yesterday’s News”- a brand of litter, or uncooked long-grain rice.
Why is my cat not using the litter box after being spayed?
It would be simple to believe that the trauma of the operation was what caused the issue. That could be the case or it might not. It’s likely to be challenging because this has been going on for a while.
Most litter box issues can be resolved by trial and error, but this one might be more difficult.
Your cat may not be utilizing the litter box for the following reasons:
1. Medical Issue
When a cat stops using the litter box after surgery, especially if it was routine before, it may be cause for concern.
An arthritic or urinary tract infection cat may link pain with using the litter box and choose to use another location.
It’s your responsibility to watch out for any adjustments in your cat’s routine or behavior because they are quite good at concealing illness-related symptoms.
2. Litter Box is Dirty
What regularly do you scoop? Your cat might be trying to communicate with you if you aren’t completely replacing all the litter once a week and scooping once or twice a day.
Much like people, they don’t want to use a dirty toilet or a dirty litter box.
3. Litter Box Type
Each cat has a particularly preferred sort of litter. You’ve probably identified the issue if your cat stopped using the litter box while you started using a different kind of litter.
There are so many interesting and novel sorts of litter available today. Although terms like “clumping,” “flushable,” or “scented” may sound appealing to us, our cats frequently have different ideas.
Interesting Read: Cat Not Pooping After Spay: Reasons & Solution
How Long Can A Cat Go Without Urinating After Surgery?
Even if your cat consumes the usual amounts of food and beverages, she can go up to 48 hours without using the bathroom. After being spayed, some cats might not urinate for 72 hours. If a younger kitten doesn’t urinate four to six times in a day, take her to the veterinarian.
Every cat has a different pattern of urinating. Normal peeing can happen anywhere between two and six times per day, depending on your cat’s age, water intake, diet, and other factors like existing health conditions, medication, heat, humidity, and stress.
Your cat is more likely to suffer harm if it doesn’t urinate or defecate because of the toxin buildup in its system.
Interesting Read: Why Is My Cat Hiding After Being Spayed?
Why Is My Cat Lying In The Litter Box Following Surgery?
1. Uncomfort and sickness
If your cat is sleeping in the litter box, she may be uncomfortable. Medical conditions are among the most frequent causes of cats sleeping in litter boxes.
When unwell, cats with digestive issues such as constipation, kidney illness, or urinary tract infections may choose to sleep in their litter box.
Your cat could believe it’s better to stay nearby if they are having trouble using the restroom or if they fear they won’t be able to return in time.
Take your cat to the veterinarian for a professional diagnosis if you feel they are sick. They need to stop sleeping in the litter box again until their medical issue is treated.
2. Privacy
Sometimes cats will view their litter boxes as personal spaces, and your cat may decide to take sleep there.
This is especially prevalent with enclosed litter boxes, which imitate the peace and security of other places cats enjoy, such as closets and cardboard boxes, by providing a calm environment.
By providing him with alternative resting areas, you might be able to influence your cat’s behavior if they appear to be using the litter box just for seclusion.
It’s possible that your cat prefers to hide out in cardboard boxes or on a cat tree with a perch so they can have a better view of the activity.
Remember that your cat’s preference for the litter box may be the cause of this behavior, and it’s likely just a temporary one. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to ensure there is no medical problem.
And if everything else fails and your cat is healthy, you can always develop the practice of changing the litter considerably more frequently, or as soon as you detect your cat using it.
Hopefully, your kind companion will eventually discover a location that is cozier for curling up for a snooze.
Must Read: Why Is My Cat Sitting In Litter Box Doing Nothing?
What Cat Litter Should I Use After Spaying?
Based on the precise surgery your cat underwent, your veterinarian will provide you with particular post-op instructions to follow regarding food, water, and your cat’s needs for a litter box.
It might be a good idea to switch from your cat’s ordinary clay or another sort of litter to one that’s less likely to get stuck in their wounds and bandages, depending on the type of treatment your cat had, especially if there are any skin stitches or bandages present.
Often, shredded or pelleted paper-based litter is the ideal choice for a cat wearing skin sutures or bandages. In most cases, you can either tear up a newspaper or paper towels and put them in the litter box, or you can shred regular printer paper in a paper shredder.
Because none are exceptionally absorbent, it’s common practice to layer shredded paper litter on top of an absorbent pee pad at the bottom of the litter box.
You might also use the pelleted recycled paper litter, like Yesterday’s News, if you’d rather not deal with shredding paper yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get My Cat To Use The Litter Box After Surgery?
Use dust-free litter after surgery to prevent litter from getting stuck to the surgical site.
Above all, remember to treat your cat with the same affection and tenderness that you would. Giving them tender, considerate care will hasten their recovery and make them feel better, so you can both return to your normal lives.
She’ll soon resume using her litter box. Remember to visit a doctor right away if there is a medical concern causing you to be cautious about using the box.
Final Words
One of these topics may pique your interest if you find yourself asking, “Can Cats Not Use Litter Box After Being Spayed?”
Once your cat feels more at ease, it should resume its regular activities. A checkup can help uncover any health or behavioral issues that may need therapy.
Let us know in the comments section how your cat reacted to using the litter box after she was spayed. How long did it take for her bathroom habits to return?
Interesting Read: Cat Not Eating After Spay: Reasons & Solutions
Must Read: How Long To Keep Cat Confined After spay?
References
- https://www.aspca.org/sites/default/files/upload/images/caring-for-your-cat-or-dog-after-surgery-1.pdf
- https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-house-soiling
- https://pethelpful.com/cats/cat-not-using-litter-box-try-these-solutions
Our Kitty had her spay surgery last Tuesday, January 7. She was injected with Zorbium for pain relief from her surgery. She didn’t eat or drink for a couple of days but has had lots of energy and is eating and drinking again. She is not urinating in her litter box but instead is urinating on the blankets I put on the floor for her. We use the Breeze litter pellets and have used that for quite awhile, so it isn’t a new litter for her. Is this normal behaviour, and if so, is there a typical length of time this behaviour should last?