Make sure that you can still see your cat from its resting place. Block off any dangerous hiding spots or spots that you can’t easily access. Keep children and other pets away from the cat. Your cat needs to rest and recover, and this is harder to do if it’s constantly interrupted or bothered by others. Keep in mind that spaying is a more invasive procedure than neutering, and it may have a longer recovery time. [2] X Expert Source Natalie Punt, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 15 February 2022.
If you can, put your cat’s bed in an area with tile or wood floors. Cats enjoy cooling off their abdomens by stretching out on cool, solid floors, and this may help soothe the surgical site. If possible try to keep the bed low, and prevent them from having to jump a whole lot.
If this isn’t an option, provide something like a domed bed that offers some escape from the light.
Don’t use regular cat litter for at least a week following surgery. It can get into the surgical incisions and cause an infection, especially in male cats. Use shredded paper or newspaper, “Yesterday’s News” litter (made with shredded paper), or uncooked long-grain rice in the litter box instead. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source
Female cats and male cats with undescended testicles will have incisions on their bellies. Most male cats will have two small incisions on the scrotum area (under the tail).
These collars may also be called “protective” collars, “E-collars,” or “cone” collars. Your cat may or may not need this depending on the behavior. Try going with/without it but make sure to watch your cat. If they start to excessively dig at the wound put it on. Make sure they aren’t licking the incision site either, as this can lead to infection. [9] X Expert Source Natalie Punt, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 15 February 2022.
If your cat seems alert and responsive, you can offer your cat about a quarter of its normal portion of food about 2-4 hours after you get home from surgery. [11] X Research source Etienne Cote, Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats, 3rd Edition (St. Louis: Mosby, 2014). Don’t force the cat to eat or drink, though. If your cat is able to eat, give it another small meal in 3-6 hours. Repeat this until the cat has eaten a full portion of food, and then resume the cat’s normal feeding schedule. [12] X Research source Etienne Cote, Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats, 3rd Edition (St. Louis: Mosby, 2014). If your cat is younger than 16 weeks old, feed your cat a small meal (about half the normal amount) as soon as you get it home and settled after surgery. If your kitten will not eat after returning home, you can try putting a small amount of maple or corn syrup on a cotton ball or q-tip and rubbing it on your cat’s gums. Don’t give your cat any “special” foods, treats, or junk food after surgery. Your cat’s stomach may feel upset, so keep your cat’s diet as regular as possible. Don’t give your cat milk; cats can’t digest it.
If you have to lift your cat, try this approach: Cup your cat’s hind end with one hand and use the other hand to support your cat’s chest just under the front legs. Lift the cat’s body gently. [13] X Research source Etienne Cote, Clinical Veterinary Advisor: Dogs and Cats, 3rd Edition (St. Louis: Mosby, 2014).
Remove cat trees, perches, and other furniture that your cat may enjoy jumping on. Keep your cat in a small room, such as the laundry room or bathroom, or in a kennel or crate when you are not able to supervise it. Consider carrying your cat up and down any stairs. The cat is unlikely to harm the incision or operation site by going up and downstairs, but this is a sensible precaution. Understand that cats who are in distress – such as those who’ve just had surgery – may try to escape. Be very vigilant in supervising your cat, especially for the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
If necessary, clean around the surgical incision with a slightly damp cloth (no soap), but don’t get the actual incision area wet. Do not scrub the surgical area.
Human medication, and even medications meant for other animals such as dogs, can kill cats! Do not give your cat any medicines, even over-the-counter medicines, that your vet has not verified as being appropriate for your cat. Even medications such as Tylenol can be fatal to cats. Don’t apply any products to the surgical site, including antibiotics or disinfecting creams, unless your veterinarian has approved them for your cat.
Redness. The incision may initially be pink or light red around the edges. This redness should fade with time. If it intensifies or the incision appears dark red at any time, this could be a sign of a developing infection. Bruising. Some slight bruising that goes from red to purple as it heals is normal. If the bruising spreads, gets, worse or is severe, or if new bruising occurs, however, you should seek follow-up care right away. Swelling. Some swelling around the incision site is a normal part of healing, but if the swelling persists or worsens, you should call your veterinarian. Discharge. You may see a very small amount of light red discharge around the incision when you bring your cat home. This can be normal, but if the discharge persists for more than a day, the amount of discharge increases, the discharge is bloody or the discharge is green, yellow, white or foul smelling, your cat needs veterinary attention. Separation of the wound edges. In a male cat, the scrotal incisions will be open, but they should be small, and they should close rapidly. A female cat or a male that had abdominal surgery may or may not have visible stitches. If the cat has visible stitches, these should remain intact. If the cat does not have visible stitches, the wound edges should remain closed. If they start to separate or you notice anything, including suture material, protruding from the wound, take the cat to your veterinarian right away.
Persistent hiding or attempts to escape Depression or lethargy Loss of appetite Hunched posture Tense abdominal muscles Growling Hissing Anxiety or skittishness
Lethargy for more than 24 hours after surgery Diarrhea Vomiting after the first night Fever or chills Decreased appetite for more than 24-48 hours after surgery Failure to eat anything after 24 hours (for adult cats) or 12 hours (for kittens) Difficult or painful urination Not defecating for more than 24-48 hours after surgery
Unconsciousness Unresponsiveness Difficulty breathing Signs of extreme pain Altered mental state (the cat does not seem to recognize you or its surroundings, or is behaving very unusually) Distended abdomen Bleeding
Even if your cat doesn’t have sutures, keep any follow-up appointments that your veterinarian recommended.
