What to expect when your cat comes home
Cats are usually sent home the same day, once they are awake and moving around the kennel. Expect a drowsy, possibly unsteady cat. Veterinary sources commonly describe this grogginess as lasting around 12 to 24 hours, with some cats taking a little longer. For a broader timeline, see our guide to cat anesthesia recovery time.
Follow the written instructions from your clinic first. They know which drugs and procedure your cat had.
Setting up a recovery space
Some vets suggest taking your cat straight to a quiet room instead of letting it loose in the household. A good setup includes:
- A quiet, draft-free room, such as a bedroom or office, away from other pets and small children. Recovering cats can be more defensive than usual.
- A warm spot. Cats can run cool after anesthesia. VCA Hospitals suggests a comfortable room temperature of roughly 68 to 75 F (20 to 24 C), with a soft, clean bed.
- Everything within reach. Water, a litter box with low sides, and a bed on the floor, so your cat does not need to climb.
- A carrier left open. Let your cat come out on its own when ready.
Keep your cat indoors during recovery.
Food and water after anesthesia
Water should generally be available unless your vet says otherwise. For food, a common recommendation is to offer about half the usual meal a few hours after getting home, and then a little more later if your cat keeps it down. Some cats feel nauseated after anesthesia, and smaller portions may reduce the chance of vomiting.
A reduced appetite the first evening is common. If your cat has not eaten by the next day, or seems unwell, call your vet (see also how to get a cat to eat). Do not force-feed unless your vet instructs you to.
Keeping your cat safe while unsteady
Wobbliness is one of the most common effects. Until your cat is walking steadily:
- Block access to stairs, couches, beds and countertops
- Keep other pets away
- Supervise any time spent outside the recovery room
- Avoid picking up and carrying your cat unless necessary
After surgery with an incision, vets often restrict running and jumping for a week or more. VCA Hospitals mentions 7 to 10 days for most procedures, but your own vet’s number takes priority.
Common side effects and behavior changes
Mild, temporary effects can include:
- Sleepiness and quiet behavior
- Poor coordination
- Vocalizing, clinginess or irritability
- Hiding
- Reduced appetite
- Feeling cool to the touch
- A mild cough, which may come from the breathing tube used during anesthesia and usually fades over a few days
How long will my cat be weird after anesthesia? Most cats seem like themselves again within a day or two. Sleepy or odd behavior that lasts longer, or that worsens, is a reason to call. Pain medications can also add drowsiness. For more on drug-related effects, see cat sedation after effects.
How long does anesthesia take to leave a cat’s system? Often a day or so, though the exact time depends on the drugs, the cat’s health and age, and the length of the procedure. Your vet can tell you what was used.
Incision, shaved patches and cough
Your cat may have a shaved patch on a front leg from an IV catheter. Watch it for redness or irritation. If your cat had surgery, check the incision at least once or twice a day. A small amount of redness or minor swelling right after surgery can be normal, but contact your vet for:
- Continuous or heavy bleeding
- Increasing swelling or redness
- Bad smell or discharge
- Open stitches
Prevent licking or chewing with the cone or recovery suit your vet gave you. If you did not get one and your cat is bothering the area, ask the clinic. Keep the incision dry, so no baths until your vet says it is fine.
Medications and pain
Cats may go home with pain medication or other prescriptions. Read the label and give them exactly as directed. Never give human pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin unless your vet specifically prescribes them. Some are toxic to cats. If giving pills is a struggle, call the clinic for help instead of skipping doses.
Can you leave your cat home alone?
For the first evening and night, most vets prefer someone be around to notice problems like labored breathing, repeated vomiting or falling. If you must go out, keep your cat confined to the prepared recovery room with water and a litter box, and ask your vet whether that is acceptable for your cat’s procedure. After the first day, if your cat is steady and eating, short absences are usually less of a concern, but follow your clinic’s advice.
When to call the vet
Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic if you see:
- Trouble breathing, or coughing that persists or worsens
- Vomiting that does not stop
- Not eating for more than a day, or refusing water
- Extreme sleepiness, weakness or pain beyond the first day
- Swelling, discharge or bleeding at the surgical site
- Pale or bluish gums
If anything worries you, it is appropriate to call. Many clinics will take after-hours questions or direct you to an emergency hospital.