5 Steps to Take When Caring for a Cat Recovering from Anaesthesia

Your cat will be monitored by a professional as it wakes from anaesthesia after having animal surgery, but the effects of anaesthesia will probably still be mildly present when you take them home. Each animal metabolises anaesthesia differently, so behaviour can be tough to predict, but you should always take the following five steps while caring for a cat recovering from anaesthesia.

1. Keep Your Cat Warm

Even if your cat has never seemed bothered by the temperature in your house before, it's wise to check they aren't chilly when recovering from surgery. Shivering is not uncommon, and this is due to the fact that the chemicals used for anaesthesia can disrupt the part of your cat's brain that regulates temperature control. Additionally, anaesthesia can dilate blood vessels, which lets heat escape the body faster than normal.

2. Watch for Signs of Aggression or Mistrust

When your cat comes out of surgery, it may be slightly alarmed due to its disorientation, and it might not even seem to recognise you. This will wear off, but in the meantime, your cat can become aggressive. After all, it will understand that it is in a weakened state and will feel more threatened by others. This can be particularly common in multi-cat households, so try segregating your cat from the others if you have more than one.

3. Keep Them Enclosed

Cats will be groggy and uncoordinated while still recovering from anaesthesia, a far cry from their normal selves. Unfortunately, they may still attempt to run up the stairs or make tough jumps; with their movements impaired by drowsiness, it's possible that they can hurt themselves. Keep them enclosed in an area where they can't jump around.

4. Avoid Using Deep Water Bowls

Due to the disorientation caused by anaesthesia, a cat's health can actually be put at risk by their own water bowls. Instead of delicately holding their faces just above the water's edge to lap the water up, they can fall into it. If your cat is particularly drowsy, they may choke or even drown while the face is submerged, so only fill their water bowls a little at first.

5. Offer Food Sparingly

Anaesthesia can sometimes cause vomiting in cats, whether from general disorientation or a minor reaction to the anaesthesia itself. Whatever the cause, you shouldn't feed your cat too much right away. Unfortunately, many owners will treat their cats to a large meal as a reward for undergoing surgery, but those large meals will often be vomited straight back up. Start by offering smaller amounts; if your cat holds it down, you can provide more food after a few hours.