How do I keep my cat quiet after surgery? Tips to help your cat recover post surgery

Contents:

• Always follow your vet’s instructions
• Tips for keeping your cat quiet after surgery
• FAQs about helping cats recover from surgery

Follow your vet’s post-operative care instructions

After any procedure, your veterinarian will give you instructions for caring for you cat to give optimal healing success and reduce recovery time. These instructions are directly associated with the specific procedure performed and your cat’s health status. Even if you have gone through a similar procedure with a previous pet, please be sure to follow the tailored instructions.

These instructions can include details about medications, exercise, diet, post-surgical risks, social restrictions, and any long-term changes that may need to be adopted.

Don’t take off the e-collar too soon

An e-collar is the best preventative to stop cats accessing their surgical site. Should a cat manage to reach their healing surgical site, they will rapidly introduce infection and cause trauma with their rough tongues. This can result in wound breakdown and, in turn, a prolonged healing time, increased pain. If the wound damage is severe, your cat may need a repeat anaesthesia and surgery to repair the damage.

While the e-collar may be inconvenient for you and your cat, it is in their best interest to wear one. So, if you feel like they are becoming too distressed wearing it, please contact your veterinarian to discuss other options. They may have alternatives to recommend or potentially prescribe some mild sedation to keep your cat calmer during this stressful period.

If you are going to remove the cone for a short while, supervise your cat the entire time it is off. Always put the cone back on when they are out of sight.  

Remember to check your cat’s surgery site daily

Assess the surgical site regularly (at least daily) and monitor for any abnormalities as described by your veterinarian. If you are concerned at all, call your clinic for advice.

 

How to keep your cat quiet after surgery

Keeping your cat quiet and relaxed after surgery is important for healing and pain management. Depending on what procedure was performed, the location of the surgical site and the predicted recovery time, the recovery time may be up to 14 days. Some procedures have longer recovery times.

Keep your cat in a crate

Crates are a great option to restrict your cat’s movements during recovery. They prevent your cat from jumping on and off furniture, running around, or playing with other pets in the household. It is not cruel for them to be in a crate; it keeps them safe from causing harm to themselves as they recover.

Keep your cat inside

If you have a cat that likes to go outside, it’s strongly recommended you keep them inside until they have fully recovered.

Outside, they are exposed to a much higher incidence of infections and trauma. They are also more prone to predators in their ‘weakened’ state. And, because they are out of sight, it’s harder to monitor them closely and give consistent medications.

Keep your cat calm

Products such as Feliway and Zylkene can be used to help your cat feel calmer and more relaxed. Keep overexcitable children or pets away from your cat so they don’t get wired and frustrated while they are resting.

Keep your cat entertained

Your cat may have to stay still, but their brain still needs to be engaged. You can do this by providing a enrichment. Enrichment for cats can be toys, catnip, treats and puzzle feeders, Lickimats, as well as YouTube videos with wildlife.

Before giving your cat any food or treats, ensure it is treats are approved by your veterinarian. Diet can affect your cat’s recovery if they had abdominal surgery or a dental procedure.

Frequently asked questions about cats recovering from surgery

How long will it take my cat to recovery from surgery?

Recovery time is very dependent on the type of surgery that has occurred and factors such as age and pre-existing conditions. Standard surgery recovery time for desexing procedures and lump removals is around 10-14 days. Orthopaedic procedures can take months to get back to their normal activity level safely. Recovery from dental procedures may only take a few days.

When can I remove the e-collar?

When your veterinarian has explicitly said you can take it off, it can come off. Typically it will remain on until the surgical site is completely healed.

If the e-collar is removed too early and complications occur, your cat will be in for an even longer period of recovery.

Why is my cat sleepy after surgery?

While having a procedure done, your cat will be given multiple different medications. These medications ensure there is no pain, discomfort or anxiety, and keeps them asleep during the procedure. It can take around 24 hours for these medications to wear off. If your cat is elderly or has other health issues, such as liver disease, it may take longer for these medications to leave their system.

If your cat is still groggy and inappetant after 24 hours of being home, please contact your veterinarian.

 

How do I keep my other cat at home from stressing while my cat is recovering?

Separation for rest will be vital to the surgical recovery of your cat. To keep your other cat calm during this separation period, provide them with enrichment and use calming tools.

If you find it unmanageable, then consider boarding either the surgical patient or the other cat.

Isn’t cat saliva good for healing?

This is a very misguided myth! Licking of wounds is not recommended. Saliva introduces a very high number of bacteria and licking causes physical trauma to the surgical site.