Whether your beloved feline is about to undergo spay/neuter surgery or any other procedure, such as bladder stone removal or broken bone repair, the animal needs extra attention after leaving the pet hospital. Here, review tips for taking care of your cat after surgery to help the four-legged friend make a quick and comfortable recovery. Also, remember to call your veterinarian if you suspect surgery complications.

Do:

Make everything easily accessible.

Place your cat’s dishes, litter box, and bed on one floor so your pet doesn’t have to walk far or climb/descend stairs to get what they need. Ensure the bed is well-cushioned and add any favorite toys or blankets. Block off all stairs with baby gates or other barriers to keep the cat on one floor. 

Be mindful of stitches.

Never brush or bathe the stitches, if applicable, to avoid harming your cat and possibly causing an infection. Follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding stitches care, and place a cone around your cat’s neck if they keep biting at the incision site since doing so can also cause infection.

Hide medication in food.

Make administering pain-relieving medicine or other medication a treat instead of a traumatic experience by hiding it in wet food, such as tuna fish, instead of using a pill gun. Get your veterinarian’s approval first to avoid any health issues. Kitty will love getting special treats during the recovery process.

Don’t:

Provide food prematurely.

Give your cat food the day after surgery or according to your veterinarian’s care guide to keep the pet from feeling nauseous or having an upset stomach. If your cat needs medication prior to the food deadline, discuss what you can do to administer the medicine with the vet specialist. In terms of water, provide a small amount initially to prevent vomiting.

Allow the cat to run and jump.

Keep the four-legged family member contained to help the recovery since running, jumping, and playing can tear stitches or cause other problems. Your cat will probably want to sleep after the procedure, so encourage this by providing a quiet environment and petting the feline if they want you to.

Yell at the feline for any accidents.

Do not reproach the cat for having an accident. Instead, provide plenty of love and affection to help soothe the feline since they may not be able to make it to the litter box due to mobility issues or pain. Move the litter box as necessary and remember that bathroom behaviors will likely return to normal after the cat heals.

 

Keep your cat happy and healthy with services from Florence Veterinary Hospital in Florence, KY. The veterinarians at this renowned pet hospital offer convenient mobile services among others, including pet vaccines, wellness exams, and spaying and neutering. Call (859) 371-6501 today to make an appointment or visit the pet vet clinic with a 30-year history online.