By Lucy NotarantonioShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA viral Reddit post about the behavioral changes cats can experience after being neutered has sparked widespread discussion online, earning 23,000 upvotes.
The post, shared by Reddit user Prior-Wealth-4396 on November 26, describes a noticeable shift in their cat’s temperament following neutering. Before the surgical removal of the cat's reproductive organs to prevent reproduction, Izzy, the tabby cat, didn't like to be touched and wouldn't go near people or cats.
The user wrote: "She was a very mean girl who would isolate herself above the kitchen cabinets after she would come down and eat." Now, she is socializing with other cats—she can be seen lying next to an orange cat in the viral photo—and the owner states that she's even heard her "purr" for the first time in five years.
Newsweek discussed the post titled: "I’m shocked at how different my cat is now after being spayed/neutered," with head veterinary surgeon Dr. Sarah Page-Jones to find out if this behavior shift is normal.
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It turns out it is, Page-Jones said: "For female cats, neutering prevents behaviors associated with coming into season. After your cat has been neutered, it’s common that they become more friendly and affectionate as they no longer experience hormonal urges."
Page-Jones, who works for U.K.-based service Pet Drugs Online, added that male cats often show similar changes once neutered.
“The procedure eliminates the primary source of testosterone. As a result, this reduces hormone-related behaviors such as aggression and roaming,” she said.
Reddit Reacts
...Many commenters echoed Page-Jones’ explanation, saying hormonal shifts after neutering can dramatically influence a cat’s mood, confidence, and social behavior.
One top comment with 5,800 upvotes read: “Definitely. The females tend to be more skittish by nature but hormones drive that. Hormones drive all behavior. Without that pressuring her to be overly cautious for raising kittens, she can calm down. Same as the males losing aggression when fixed. Personalities can still vary. But hormones make a massive difference. It’s also why getting them fixed as soon as they are of age is good so bad traits pushed by hormones don’t settle in long term.”
Others offered shorter personal anecdotes. One user wrote: “My boy is the stereotypical fat, lazy fixed male cat. However he’s also the friendliest, sweetest, cuddliest cat I’ve ever known and I’m sure he wouldn’t be like this if he hadn’t been fixed as a kitten.”
Another commenter highlighted the emotional side of rescue and care, adding: “It’s funny how a cat can go from wild chaos to total homebody the moment they feel safe, secure, and finally cared for.”
While each cat’s personality is unique, the Reddit thread reflects a common belief among owners: that neutering doesn’t just prevent unwanted litters, it can also help cats settle into calmer routines by reducing behaviors tied to reproductive instincts.
Newsweek reached out to u/Prior-Wealth-4396 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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