Spayed cat - behavioral change

Question
It's been over three months since my cat was spayed. She's become so annoying I'm considering finding her a new home.

From around 6 in the morning she begins trying to wake us up - we normally only get up around 8 or later. She paces all over us meowing incessantly, until we get up to feed her. But then within an hour she begins meowing again. She consistently begs for food and attention and screams her head off if a door is closed. She's also started biting when she doesn't get her way and has also started attacking my legs when I walk past. We haven't changed the amount we feed them and use a good food prescribed by a vet.

Even our other cat has had enough. She's gotten so sick of this cats constant attention that she regularly starts hissing at this cat now.  They used to play all the time, but now it turns into viscous fights, waking us up at all hours.

Since she's been spayed she's become a complete nuisance! I think she was seriously traumatized during the op.

Answer
Karen,

Your cat's actions are actually a common behavior problem. You don't say how old your cat is, but as she grows and settles down from being spayed her dietary needs change. The food the vet prescribed, unless it is for a specific ailment (like urinary tract infection, grossly overweight, etc.) and though probably very good, usually doesn't satisfy a cat, mostly because it doesn't have any flavor. A lot of vet's will tell you to feed 'prescription' dry food because they get a percentage, though that is not true of all vets. AND my guess is that you are not free-choice feeding (leaving a bowl full of dry food always available). I would say your cat is hungry and trying to get your attention the only way she knows how...by waking you up, and she is biting and attacking your legs to tell you to "stop!"

My suggestion would be to get some Iams or a good quality cat food from a pet store and leave a bowl full for the cat to munch on when she is hungry. Don't buy a 'bargain brand of cat food because it has too many fillers and doesn't fill them up. Personally I don't agree with the vet's that tell you to feed a certain amount every day. A cat tends to gobble it up, even if they aren't that hungry, because they don't know when they are going to get more. Usually a vet tells you how to feed according to text books, not from having many cats and being with them 24 hours a day! I've always free-choice fed and I have never had a weight problem with my cats, nor do they bug me to eat, need to go to the vet, nor die young!

To get her to stop waking you up in the morning play with her right before you go to bed. A pet laser light is an excellent interactive toy (you can get them at PetSmart, Petco, etc.)  A good play session before bedtime will tire her out, which is essential for a good nights sleep for you both! Then give the her a can of catfood after you play with her, just before you go to bed. That way she will have a full tummy, be tired from playing, and will sleep longer (hopefully!). Also having dry food available will help. She can munch without waking you up to feed her.

And the way to quit her waking you up is to ignore her. COMPLETELY! It is very difficult to do and annoying, but you can NOT acknowledge her actions in ANY way. She will EVENTUALLY stop when she doesn't get any reaction or attention from you. You have to be consistent though. If you even react once to her, then it won't work and it will be worse because the cat will know if she does it long enough eventually you WILL react, so she will keep it up longer.

DO NOT punish the cat.  She is only trying to get your attention and tell you her wants the only way she knows how. If some behavior got your attention before, then that is how she will do it again...and again.

Getting a 2nd kitty about her age and temperament may help also. Cats need cat mates to play kitty games with, cuddle with, and keep them company, and it doesn't sound like your other cat will play with her. Or you might try getting her some more toys to keep her occupied. Things like stuffed toy mice to bat around, ping pong balls in the bathtub (with the drain plugged or they get stuck), a pet laser light so she can burn up energy chasing the 'little red bug', etc.

I hope this helps and gives you some ideas how to go about stopping her morning wakeup calls.

Tabbi