Spaying is one of the best things to do for your female cat's ongoing health. It will protect her against conditions like ovarian and uterine cancer, and it will also prevent her from going into heat and becoming pregnant. Yet, as important as spaying is, it is a surgical procedure. After your cat is spayed, you will want to take a few steps to keep her more comfortable during the healing process.
1. Ask your vet about pain relievers.
Veterinarians do not always provide pain relievers to cats recovering from a spay procedure. If your vet does not immediately offer to give your cat pain relievers, then you should ask for them. They will probably send you home with a few days' worth of pills. If you are not sure how to give your cat a pill, ask the vet to show you. Basically, you open the cat's mouth, drop the pill into the back of their throat, and then rub their throat to encourage them to swallow. Your cat may not love this, but it will make her feel better as her incisions heal.
2. Keep everything on the same floor.
You don't want your cat to have to do any more climbing and jumping than is necessary during her recovery. Too much jumping and playing will stretch the incision. So make sure all of her necessities, like her litter box, food, and favorite bed, are all on the same floor of the home — maybe even in the same room. Ideally, you should move these items a couple of days before surgery so she can get used to the new layout before the procedure.
3. Keep a cone handy.
Some cats will try to lick their incision after spaying, and others will not. Wearing a cone can be uncomfortable, so you don't really want to put it on unless your cat needs it. Keep a cone handy, and keep an eye on your cat during the first 24 hours after her procedure. If you see her licking or biting at the incision at all, put the cone on. It's for her own good — to prevent infection and destruction of the stitches.
4. Feed her a soft diet.
Even if your cat typically eats only dry food, you should start giving her some wet food in the days leading up to the spay procedure and for about a week afterward. This will help keep her stool softer so that it is easier for her to pass and does not put as much strain on the incision. For more information about spaying, speak to a professional.
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