What Happens After a Spay/Neuter Surgery?

A Guide to Keeping Your Cat Safe and Comfortable
Spaying and neutering are some of the best things you can do for your cat’s health and for reducing the number of homeless cats in our community. But once your kitty comes home from surgery, what happens next? Here’s what to expect after their procedure and how you can ensure a smooth recovery.

1. The First 24 Hours: Rest is Best
After surgery, your cat may be groggy, wobbly, or extra sleepy. This is completely normal! The effects of anesthesia can take a full day to wear off. Make sure to:
✅ Keep them in a quiet, comfortable space.
✅ Offer a small meal once they’re awake. They may have a reduced appetite at first.
✅ Avoid excessive handling—some cats may be a little disoriented and grumpy.

2. Checking the IncisionIt’s important to monitor your cat’s incision site daily. What’s normal?
✔ Slight redness or swelling
✔ A small amount of clear discharge
✔ Licking occasionally but not obsessively
✔ A small, firm bump under the incision – This is normal healing tissue (called a suture reaction) and usually goes away on its own within a few weeks.

What’s NOT normal? Contact your vet if you notice:
🚩 Excessive redness, swelling, or pus
🚩 A wide-open incision
🚩 Your cat acting lethargic or refusing food after 24 hours
(Reminder: If your cat was spayed/neutered at our clinic, be sure to follow our post-op care instructions and call us if you have concerns. We cannot cover costs at outside vets if we are not contacted first.)

3. No Jumping, No Rough Play!Cats love to zoom and climb, but after surgery, they need to take it easy. Encourage rest by:
✅ Keeping them in a smaller space (like a bathroom) if needed.
✅ Using a soft e-collar (cone) or recovery suit to prevent licking.
✅ Avoiding interactive play for at least 10-14 days.
💡Most clinics provide hard plastic cones at a drastically reduced price, but if you’d like to prepare ahead of time, you can purchase a soft cone or a recovery suit. These options might be more comfortable for your cat! Here are some of our favorties: ​https://amzn.to/4kk6FCL
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4. No Baths, No Outdoor Time  Surgical incisions need to stay clean and dry. That means:
❌ No bathing or grooming the area
❌ No going outside (even for supervised time)
❌ No litter that sticks to incisions—use dust-free, shredded paper, or pelleted litter for the first few days.

5. The Final Check: When is Your Cat Fully Healed?
Most cats heal within 10-14 days, but always follow the guidance of your vet or our clinic team. If your kitty is acting normal, eating well, and their incision looks good, they’re all set to return to their usual antics!

Spay/neuter surgery is a simple way to keep your cat healthy while preventing unwanted litters. Thank you for being a responsible pet parent!

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