Having spay/neuter surgery for your dog or cat is a responsible decision, both for the health of your pet and controlling the animal population. However, many patients’ owners wonder if the procedure will cause weight gain. While it’s not a direct cause, there are some factors you should keep in mind. 

How Sterilization Surgery Can Affect an Animal’s Weight

Spay/Neuter Surgery Does Not Cause Weight Gain

The neuter surgery or spay procedure itself does not cause dogs and cats to gain weight. However, it can lead to behavioral changes that can lead to weight gain. More importantly, having your pet spayed or neutered changes their hormonal balance. Not only do they no longer have estradiol (females) or testosterone (males), but the surgery also changes levels of insulin and leptin, which control blood sugar and appetite, respectively. This means that most pets need to eat less food or increase their exercise after spay/neuter surgery to avoid gaining weight. 

Keeping Your Cat in Good Shape 

Keeping your kitty from gaining weight after a visit to the spay or neuter clinic is primarily about controlling calories and encouraging play. Feed your cat a set amount of food each day based on its weight. Avoid “free feeding,” but rather feed at set times and remove the food when the animal is done eating. Encourage physical activity by providing toys, bags, boxes, cat condos, or climbing structures. Lastly, try training your cat to run across the room or the house to get a treat. It’s fun for both of you. 

Keeping Your Dog Fit

Preventing weight gain in your dog after spay or neuter service follows many of the same principles. Feed your dog at set times each day and according to the recommendations for your dog’s size and breed. Treats are okay, but choose healthy ones like baby carrots or all-natural pet treats, and limit them to 10% of your dog’s overall calorie intake.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on its age and size. Younger dogs in the herding, sporting, or terrier categories, such as retrievers, generally need an hour of daily exercise, while older or smaller dogs, such as dachshunds, need less. Nothing beats a game of fetch or a nice walk for getting in a workout, but dogs also enjoy swimming or learning tricks, which burn calories. 

If you need to sterilize your pet, we here at Nutmeg Spay/Neuter Clinic provides inexpensive spay/neuter surgery to pet owners across Connecticut. We have provided services to more than 30,000 pets and can provide expert help to ensure your pet lives the healthiest life possible after surgery. We also provide vaccinations, and our clinic is open to everyone. To learn more about our mission to help control pet overpopulation, check us out online or call (203) 690-1550 to schedule an appointment at our Stratford facility.