The best approach to keeping cats quiet after surgery is to keep recently spayed or neutered cats in one cat-proofed room for a few days. This effectively isolates them from others who might play or harass them during their recovery.
Since your cat can experience pain or discomfort from her procedure for 5-7 days after the surgery, it's important to make sure she's as comfortable as possible.
“Your cat likely will be sore around her incision, so be gentle when handling her for the first few days.” You can expect your cat to act differently for a few days while recovering from the operation; however, experts reassure that her personality will remain unchanged.
1) You should keep your cat in the carrier or box until he/she can stand alone. Check your cat frequently for the next 6 to 8 hours while s/he is waking up from the anesthesia. They may walk and act like they are drunk and be disoriented. Do not try to handle cats for 24 hours or until they are acting normally.
Keep your cat in a crate or small room to sleep, and make sure he is comfortable and secure. On the day of surgery, the incision site on your cat might look minorly red and swollen. Check it once per day if your cat allows, and be on the lookout for any excessive redness, swelling, and discharge.
Litter dust can get into the surgery site and cause an infection. Shredded paper, a brand of litter called Yesterday's News (can be purchased at pet stores), or uncooked, long-grain rice should be used in the litter box for at least a week after surgery.
Signs of pain include unusual meowing, a hunched back, and bleeding from the surgical site. While your cat may move more slowly post surgery, pain and a loss of appetite shouldn't be a part of the recovery process.
DOES SPAY/NEUTER CAUSE NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR CHANGES IN DOGS? Many guardians of spayed dogs report significant behavior changes (skittish, aggressive, anxious) after their dog fully recovers from the spay surgery.
If your pet is going to lick or begins to lick their incision, they need to wear an E-Collar (plastic cone) for 7-10 days after surgery. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead much more damage. 2. Limit activity—no running, jumping or playing for 7-10 days.
Your vet will likely recommend limiting your pet's movement for a specified period (usually a week) after surgery. Sudden jumping or stretching can disrupt the healing process and may even cause the incision to reopen.
Due to the anaesthetic, your cat may be sleepy and a bit unsteady for the next 12-24 hours and should be kept indoors. During this time she should be allowed to rest quietly in a warm (not too hot) comfortable place.
This may result in reactions such as hissing, growling, swatting, and scratching. Your cat's behavior is usually caused by feeling disorientated after the anesthetic and being extra sensitive and vulnerable. It may also be a sign they're in pain. Your cat may also be more stressed and anxious than usual.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog's Hormones to Balance After Being Spayed? Your dog's hormones will begin to balance within a few days of surgery and should be completely balanced within two weeks. In some cases, it may take up to three weeks for the hormones to fully balance.
That is Absolutely normal behavior! Just like people, cats react differently to having surgery. I have had many cats spayed and neutered and have found most of them are pretty normal after a few hours… some have taken a day or two to rest, but for the most part they get over it pretty quickly!
Without the drive to mate, your cat may be quieter and won't be prone to cat calls and the incessant need to seek out a mate. The spayed pet no longer attracts males and their annoying advances and serenades. Spayed cats are also easier to get along with. They tend to be more gentle and affectionate.
You shouldn't allow him to climb stairs, run, jump, or even play during the first-week post-operation. Letting the newly neutered/spayed cats move too much can slow down the cut's healing process. To be on the safe side, it's important to keep your cat inside a small room, in a crate or inside a carrier.
Looking after your cat
Generally, following an anaesthetic, cats will take up to 48 hours before they are back to normal. Most of this time will be spent sleeping so make sure your cat's bed is placed in a warm, draught-free place where she won't be disturbed.
In most cases you can expect your cat to be groggy and lethargic from anesthesia for the first 12 to 24 hours. She may also be a little cranky or aggressive—basically feeling extra sensitive. Furthemore, your cat may have a decreased appetite for a day or so following surgery.
RESTRICT EXERCISE
Too much activity can keep the surgery site from healing properly and can even cause the incision to open up. Your pet should not be running, jumping, playing, using stairs, or jumping on/off furniture for the next 10-14 days.
Patients can eat, drink, pee, poop, and sleep with a cone on. In fact, the stricter you are with the cone, the quicker they will get used to it. In addition, pets do not hold grudges, so they will not be mad at you for being strict with the rules. If the incision is over the chest or belly, a T-shirt may be worn.
To best help your cat after surgery, provide them with a quiet and comfortable place to sleep, away from anything that might cause stress like other pets or children. Make sure to have a warm, comfortable bed ready for your cat that allows them to stretch and alleviate any discomfort from surgical areas.
After surgery, your pet may be limited in movement, so brain games are a great choice for enrichment. Simple toys like a Kong, treat puzzle, or flavored Nylabone can be a great reward along with mental stimulation.