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Why does a neutered cat tend to gain weight?

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A neutered cat gains weight because its energy requirements drop by about 20 to 30 percent after surgery, while its appetite tends to increase. This imbalance develops quickly: a persistent caloric excess in the first few weeks is enough to tip the scales.

A rapid hormonal and behavioural imbalance

Neutering eliminates the secretion of sex hormones (estrogens, testosterone) which, in cats, acted as a natural brake on food intake and supported energy expenditure related to reproductive and territorial behaviours. Once this brake is removed, the cat eats more on its own while expending less energy: it hunts less, marks territory less, and roams less. This decrease in activity, typical of the feline lifestyle which is often more sedentary than that of dogs, amplifies the imbalance between caloric intake and expenditure.

The result is excess weight that develops over several weeks to months if diet is not adjusted accordingly. In cats, this excess weight is not merely a cosmetic concern: it is the primary gateway to feline diabetes, as excess fatty tissue promotes insulin resistance that is particularly pronounced in this species.

Prevention relies on two straightforward approaches. First, weigh the daily portion precisely using a kitchen scale rather than relying on a measuring cup, whose volume varies depending on how tightly the kibble is packed and easily leads to distributing 10 to 20 percent more than necessary. Second, increase energy expenditure through daily play (feather wands, toys to chase, interactive feeders), which artificially recreates the predatory activity lost after neutering.