Cat acting lethargic and not eating a few days after spaying
Sudden low energy, poor appetite, and diarrhea a few days after surgery can indicate post-operative pain, distress from wearing a cone, or other complications. This sudden behavioral shift stops pets from eating and drinking normally, leaving owners worried and unsure if their cat is simply miserable or facing a serious issue.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1feeding treats like churu to encourage eating
- 2removing the soft cone temporarily during meals to make eating easier
- 3giving her cucumbers and some wet food, which she will nibble on
- 4taking pain medication once a day
- 5calling the vet if you are concerned if anything for reassurance
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“She had a great appetite, was drinking, using the bathroom no problem but today (day 4) she barely touched her breakfast and dinner”source ↗
“Yesterday she was interested in playing a little and had some energy and today she just seems sad/lethargic. She also had some diarrhea yesterday and today.”source ↗
“I'm wondering if she's in pain or if she's just miserable having to wear the cone?”source ↗