How to Care for a Cat Post-Neutering

Neutering your male cat is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner, since neutering prevents your cat from creating more cats that will need homes of their own. Spay and neuter surgeries tend to make cats calmer and bring an end to behavior such as constant crying and nervous pacing. Male cats that are neutered are less likely to "roam" due to their mating drive, which prevents fighting, disease contraction and injuries. Once your cat has been neutered, take steps to provide a quiet and comfortable environment for him to heal.

  1. Rest Area

    • Create a rest area away from children, other pets, loud noises and other distractions that can upset the feline. Choose a clean, quiet room in your house where your cat can rest undisturbed, and check the room thermostat -- the room should be neither too hot or cold. Bring the cat's bedding intro the room; provide extra bedding materials in and around the bedding, such as old towels, pillows and comforters. Keep the cat indoors in this rest area for at least five days, and do not allow the cat outside while he is healing. Discourage all forms of running, jumping and other strenuous activity.

    The Stitches

    • Check the incision at least once a day for signs of infection. Many of today's spay and neuter surgeries use stitches that eventually absorb into the body. Look for signs of bleeding, swelling, redness, drainage or odor, and contact your veterinarian if you notice any wide gaps or tissue protrusions. Normal occurrences include minor redness and swelling, or the presence of a little blood around the incision immediately following surgery. Do not wash or attempt to clean the incision, and refrain from bathing your cat for at least seven days. Keep the cat from licking, biting and ripping at his stitches at all times, which may require that you borrow or purchase an e-collar or plastic cone.

    Food and Water Intake

    • Do not allow adult cats to consume food for the first two or three hours when you return home if the cat's surgery was in the past 24 hours. Eating food this soon post-surgery can result in stomach upset from the anesthesia. After two or three hours you may give the cat food in small amounts for the first 12 hours. Try 1/4 to 1/3 of what the cat normally eats, and go from there. If the cat vomits, remove food until the following morning. Keep food and water dishes near the bedding. Have fresh, clean water ready after the surgery for adult cats as well as kittens. Kittens may have food as soon as they are brought home, but give them about half their normal amount.

    Post-Surgery Symptoms/Additional Tips

    • Do not administer human painkillers to cats to relieve their pain, as they can have deadly consequences. If a medication has been prescribed, follow the instructions exactly and contact your veterinarian with any questions. Call your vet immediately if your cat cannot walk or stand 12 hours after surgery, or if there is severe bleeding or swelling around the stitches. Contact your vet if the cat will not eat or drink anything 24 hours after surgery or appears lethargic or uncomfortable 48 hours after surgery. Other symptoms to watch out for include vomiting, diarrhea, shivering, fever, chill, loss of balance, pale gums and breathing difficulty.