Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

How long does it take for a cat to fully heal after being spayed? A vet tells us

Paige Cerulli
By

Cats are routinely spayed every day, and the surgery has many benefits. PetMD explains that in addition to preventing unwanted pregnancies, spaying your cat can help to reduce the risk of health issues like mammary cancer. It also can help to reduce behavior changes experienced by your cat when she goes into heat. After your cat is spayed, she’ll need some care to help her recover at home. Your vet will give you discharge instructions, but understanding the ins and outs of how to care for a cat after a spay can help to prevent side effects and trips to your vet’s office.

Tiger cat sleeping on a grey bed
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How long will it take my cat to heal after being spayed?

According to Everhart Veterinary Medicine, recovery after a spay typically takes between 10 and 14 days. Your cat should start to act like herself within a few days after the surgery. After that point, your job will be to try to keep her quiet so her sutures can fully heal.

Recommended Videos

How do I care for my cat after being spayed?

PetMD notes that it’s important to make sure your cat rests after her spay surgery. This can be easier said than done, especially as your cat regains her energy and wants to play or run around her home. You might need to confine your cat to a single room to restrict her activity, and it’s important not to play with her or let her climb stairs during this recovery period.

Related

Your cat will also need to wear an e-collar to keep her from licking at her incision. This gives the incision time to heal and helps to prevent your cat from chewing on the sutures. Some cats tolerate e-collars better than others, and your vet can help to ensure that the e-collar is properly sized for your cat.

It’s also important to carefully monitor your cat after her surgery. You’ll need to be with her for the first 12 to 24 hours following the surgery in order to watch for any bleeding and to make sure she’s urinating normally during this time. You’ll also need to monitor the incision site and check it daily, looking for signs of swelling or oozing. Before you take your cat home, your vet will probably show you the incision and discuss what to look for.

Should I crate my cat after being spayed?

Everhart Veterinary Medicine advises that you restrict your cat’s activity for a full two weeks. In some cases, just confining your cat to a single room can discourage her from running around.

You also can give your cat a comfortable, cozy bed where she can nap. The bed may encourage her to relax and can help to minimize any pain as she’s recovering.

In some cases, confining your cat to a single room might not be enough. PetMD notes that you might need to keep your cat in a crate if she becomes too active. You’ll have to consider how your cat reacts to being in a crate when deciding if this is a viable option for her.

Siamese cat lying on a grey couch
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can I leave my cat alone after being spayed?

According to PetMD, you’ll be able to leave your cat alone eventually but plan to be with her for the first day after she’s spayed. It’s important to watch her for any bleeding during this high-risk time. Once your cat has made it past the first 24 hours after her surgery, you can leave her by herself, but keep in mind that she needs to be in an area that restricts her activity.

If you’re nervous about keeping an eye on your cat when you’re not able to be home, consider installing a pet camera so that you can check in on her through your smartphone while you’re at work. You might also ask a friend or relative to stop in during the day to check on your cat.

In conclusion

Many cats recover from spays without any complications, but you should be aware of signs that something is amiss. A swollen belly, lethargy, difficulty urinating, repeated diarrhea, and lack of appetite can all indicate that your cat is experiencing a serious complication and needs treatment. If you notice any of these signs, take your cat to your vet right away or else to your local emergency veterinary clinic. Otherwise, your cat can usually recover comfortably at home. Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions and administer any medication as directed that the vet sends you home with. Always call your vet right away with any questions or concerns.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Paige Cerulli
Paige Cerulli
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Paige's work has appeared in American Veterinarian, Business Insider, Healthline, and more. When she's not writing, Paige…
Are urinary tract infections in cats possible? What cat parents should know about this condition
What to know about prevention and treatment of UTIs in cats
Gray cat in a cat bed

UTIs are a common and pesky condition in humans. It’s short for urinary tract infection. A UTI is an infection of a part of the urinary system, like the bladder, kidneys, or urethra, as the name implies. UTIs can involve painful burning sensations when peeing. They affect about 10 out of 25 women and 3 out of 25 men at least once, according to the Urology Care Foundation.

Cat parents may wonder: What is the rate of urinary tract infections in cats? Unfortunately, it’s not zero. Cats can get UTIs. The good news is that cat health experts don’t commonly see the issue when treating felines. However, it’s still good to think about the urinary tract when approaching your cat’s health.

Read more
Can cats suffer from mental health conditions the way dogs can?
What you need to know about your cat's mental health
A blue-eyed white cat sprawls out on top of a rug with a forlorn expression

As it turns out, man's best friend has quite a lot in common with humans. Just like us, dogs can suffer from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year." With such staggering numbers, it's easy to understand why the self-help industry is booming. But what about cats? Are our feline family members similarly affected by mental health issues?
While dogs are typically more expressive regarding their moods, cats can be more difficult to read. A dog suffering from depression may refuse to play with his favorite toy, but what behaviors can you expect from your feline friend? Do cats suffer from depression and anxiety the way some dogs do? We'll take a deep dive into the world of cat mental health, so we can answer the question once and for all.

Can cats have mental illnesses?
In her 2014 book "Animal Madness," Dr. Laurel Braitman writes, "There is not a branch of veterinary science, ethology (the science of animal behavior), neuroscience, or wildlife ecology dedicated to investigating whether animals can be mentally ill." While we can't read our cat's mind, we can use their typical behavior to gauge sudden personality changes that might ring a few alarm bells.
Two commonly diagnosed mental issues in cats are obsessive-compulsive disorder -- often abbreviated as OCD -- and cat anxiety. In cases of OCD, you may notice your cat excessively grooming the same location on her body, which can lead to redness, swelling, skin irritation, and even hair loss. However, excessive grooming is also a symptom of anxiety, though anxiety is often accompanied by additional concerning behaviors, such as decreased appetite, incessant yowling, and even drooling.
Details are scant regarding exactly how many cats suffer from mental health issues, but the fact remains that your frisky feline can be affected by OCD, anxiety, or depression. In fact, it may surprise you to learn that cats can even have autism.

Read more
Do cats get cold outside and what temperature is too low for outdoor kitties? Veterinarians weigh in
Here's how you can tell if you cat needs to come in from the cold
Black cat covered with snow

If your cat is an indoor/outdoor pet, he likely loves to pop outside even when the temperatures drop. There are plenty of cold-weather cats who have thick coats and seem to do well outdoors in the winter, but it's important to consider your cat's comfort and safety, too.
Cold temperatures affect cats and threaten their health, and extreme temperatures can even lead to a cat's death. That doesn't mean you can't let your cat out in the frigid temps, though. Instead, it's important to understand how cold is too cold and what extra care your cat may need to stay comfy in chilly weather.

Do cats get cold easily?
Do cats get cold outside? Absolutely, and it can happen easily, depending on the temperatures. According to Texas A&M University, the temperature that's too cold for your feline will depend on several factors, including the thickness of your cat's fur and his body mass. If your cat isn't acclimated to the outdoors, you shouldn't leave him outside if the temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. It's also important to never keep kittens, older cats, or sick cats out when the temps dip below that.

Read more