After a cat has any type of surgery, strict rest is an important part of the recovery process. In order for any wound to heal, the area must stop moving as much as possible. Exercise can cause pressure and tension in the wound, which can delay healing.
In particular, cats should stop jumping, as this sudden movement can put a lot of pressure on the wound site. This article explains the different aspects of caring for your cat after surgery.
Which surgery are cats most sensitive to?
Many procedures involve cutting the cat’s skin with a scalpel blade, which is then closed with sutures at the end of the surgical procedure.Common examples include Spaying of female cats, any abdominal surgery, removal of small tumors, ear and tail surgery, and plastic surgery.
Other procedures may involve an incision but may not use sutures to close the wound at the site of the incision: neutering of male cats is the best example, where the testicles are removed through an incision but not sutured afterwards.
Generally speaking, The larger and deeper the wound, the more it will affect the cat. But in all cases, it is important for the cat to rest and stop jumping in order to optimize the postoperative healing process.
Will cats be in pain after surgery?
Cats are unconscious during anesthesia, so they don’t feel any pain. However, as they recover from the anesthesia, they may experience pain at the surgical site, so most veterinarians will prescribe pain relievers, given by injection at the time and sometimes orally at home as part of post-operative care, specifically Depends on the program.
The aim is to ensure that the cat experiences minimal discomfort for a few days after the procedure Especially when they’re recovering from surgery. Pain medications can have side effects, so you should discuss this possibility with your veterinarian so you know what to watch out for.
Does it matter if cats lick wounds after surgery?
Cats have an innate instinct to lick wounds: in nature, this is an important part of cleaning injured areas. However, The cat’s tongue is rough, excessive licking can damage the skin, cause redness, swelling and soreness, and delay healingFor this reason, if cats are likely to lick wounds, your DVM veterinarian may recommend ways to stop them from licking.
one elizabeth collar (electronic collar, also known as the “cone of shame”) is the most famous answer, but sometimes an inflatable collar is used, or perhaps a dressing is applied to certain parts of the body (limbs, tail, etc.).
It is important that the electronic collar remains in place at all times, unless you can directly observe your cat. This may only need to be maintained for the first few days, during which time you need to pay attention to them: if you don’t pay attention, the cat may become entangled in the electronic collar.
Can my cat eat normally after surgery?

To minimize the cat’s injuries, you should make sure that your cat’s food is on the ground, not on a high stool or counter.
Your veterinarian will advise you on what to feed the first day after surgery, but generally, Normal cat food available shortly after returning home. Sometimes a special recovery diet may be recommended, or you may be asked to provide half the normal amount of food during your cat’s recovery.
you should make sure you Give your cat her food on the groundrather than higher up on a stool or counter so she doesn’t have to jump or climb to get to her food.
Some cats lose their appetite after surgery, so don’t be surprised if they’re not as hungry as usual.
Can my cat use the litter box normally after surgery?
It is important that cats continue to urinate and defecate after surgery, so you should make sure to provide their usual litter box and, again, place it where it does not need to climb.
You may wish to use a different litter base, such as shredded paper, so that the grit fragments do not contaminate the cat’s incision site.
A litter box is also important if you keep your cat indoors and cats are usually allowed outside.
Can I get my cat to move around the house normally?

Although cats love cat trees, they should not be allowed access to cat trees during recovery, as it is important to keep cat activity to a minimum.
When you bring your cat home, It’s better to limit them to some extent。 Some pet owners use a small room as their cat’s base, with a comfy bed on the ground so they can’t run around or jump.
some may even confine their cats to kennels or cratesbut whether this is needed depends on your cat, and the program they are recovering from.
Can I let my cat use her cat tree as normal?
Cats love cat trees, but They should not be allowed access During their recovery, they may climb, stretch and jump while using the tree, which is not a good idea.
Do I need to keep my cat indoors after surgery?
important is you Minimize the cat’s movements, which means limiting physical activity. For this reason, cats should be kept indoors for up to ten days after surgery, if possible. With feral cats, you may want to confine them outside to a shed rather than your home. If you do, remember to leave a litter box for them.
in conclusion
After any surgery, it is very important that the healing process goes as smoothly as possible, so cat owners need to make sure they limit their cat’s movements and prevent them from interfering with the surgical incision site.
frequently asked questions
My cat was meowing the day after surgery. Does she hurt?
unnecessary. Cats meow for many reasons, including getting their owner’s attention, going out, or looking for food.
Can I cuddle my cat as usual after neutering surgery?
Giving your cat a hug is a good thing, as long as your hug doesn’t interfere with the surgical field at all. She’ll find it reassuring and comforting to get a hug from you. It might even help keep her from walking around or jumping up for attention, which is a good thing.
How often should I check my cat’s wounds?
In general, it is important to pay attention to the surgical site on your cat for the first ten days after surgery. You should check it first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening, and several times during the day. As long as it looks clean, dry, and comfortable, and as long as you’ve managed to stop your cat from running and jumping, and you’ve made sure the wound isn’t being licked, there’s usually not much to worry about.

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