Ever since he got neutered, my cat tries to mate with a cat plushie and has been meowing a lot. Is this due to changes in his hormone levels? Do you think they'll go away if we adopt another cat?
A cat's reproductive organs are removed during a spay or neuter.1 This means the cat's body should no longer produce sexual hormones. If the cat reached reproductive age prior to sterilization, there may be residual hormones right after surgery. These hormones may cause the cat to temporarily continue some sexual behaviors. Sex hormone levels should fade over the weeks following surgery, eliminating the cat's sex drive.
If a female cat continues to show signs of heat several weeks after she was spayed, there is a possibility that some active ovarian tissue is present in her abdomen. This is called Ovarian Remnant Syndrome.1 It does not mean that a mistake was made during surgery; it often occurs because of additional ovarian tissue or cells in the abdomen that became activated after the ovaries were removed. If a vet determines that a cat has Ovarian Remnant Syndrome, the treatment is to perform another surgery to remove the remaining ovarian tissue.
A spayed cat may show signs of sexual activity or heat if she was exposed to hormone creams or medications. If you have hormones like estrogen or progesterone in your home, keep them out of your cat's reach. If you use a topical hormone cream, make sure your cat does not lick the area.
Adrenal tumors, though rare, may cause a cat to produce excessive hormones, some of which are sex hormones.2 This may cause a female cat to appear as if she is in heat. Fortunately, many adrenal tumors are benign. If your vet thinks your cat has an adrenal tumor, lab tests and an abdominal ultrasound may be necessary to learn more. Next, your vet will likely recommend surgery to explore the abdomen and remove the tumor.
Contact your vet's office for advice if your spayed female is showing signs of estrus.
