12 Tips to Keep Your Cat from Jumping After Surgery

If your cat has to get surgery, you want to make sure it heals as quickly as possible without any complications. But the vet told you to make sure it doesn't run or jump—how are you supposed to manage that? Cats are natural jumpers and they aren't exactly known for following instructions. Don't worry, though, it's totally possible. Here, we've gathered some of the best tips for you to keep your cat from jumping so it will have a safe recovery.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}

1

Keep your cat in a crate immediately after surgery.

Vets typically recommend crate rest the night after surgery. Depending on the type of surgery your cat had, they might need to stay in the crate as long as 24 hours after surgery. Beyond that, vets don't typically recommend that you keep your cat in a crate for long periods.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you bring your cat home the day of surgery, you'll typically need to keep it in a crate at least overnight. If the vet keeps your cat overnight for observation, though, this might not be necessary.
- It's worth asking about if your vet doesn't mention it. The crate can be very comforting for your cat if it's scared or disoriented after surgery.
- Keeping your cat in a crate is especially helpful if it's on anesthetics. These meds can mess with your cat's balance and coordination, which can be a recipe for disaster if it gets up in the middle of the night and decides to wander around.
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2

Get an Elizabethan collar or cone for your cat.

While these collars keep your cat from licking the incision, they can also deter jumping. An Elizabethan collar (also called an E-collar, cone, or lampshade collar) is a cone that wraps around your cat's neck and shields its face and head so it can't lick its body. Because the collar inhibits your cat's peripheral vision and depth perception, it'll be a lot less likely to want to jump while it's wearing the collar.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Typically, your vet will send your cat home with one of these collars—if they didn't, you can buy one at any pet store.
- Your cat probably won't like the collar at first and will try to get it off. Don't give in! It can be hard to see your cat looking so miserable, but it'll get used to the collar after a few hours and calm down.
- Never let your cat outside while wearing an E-collar—it can be dangerous if it gets caught on something and your cat can't escape.^{[4]XResearch source}

3

Create a small, enclosed recovery area for your cat.

Set up a draft-free room with an air temperature between 20 and 22 °C (68 and 72 °F). A bathroom or closet can work well for this. Put a soft bed on the floor with food and water nearby.^{[5]XResearch source}
- It's also good to have plenty of blankets or towels for your cat to snuggle in if it gets chilly. If your cat has a favorite blanket or pillow, definitely use that.
- Set up a separate litter box for your cat while it recovers. Use shredded paper instead of regular litter, which can irritate the surgical site and cause infection.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
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4

Remove any furniture your cat could jump or climb on.

Not having anything tall in the recovery area eliminates the temptation. If removing the furniture from the room completely isn't possible, covering it with a large tarp or blanket disguises the flat ledges. While your cat might still try to jump on it, this makes it less likely.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- Watch for anything hanging as well. Cats like to jump and try to get things on the wall, so it's a good idea to take down any pictures or art you have up.
- If your cat usually jumps on counters or tables, you could try placing bubble wrap or some water on the surface, as this usually deters cats.

5

Isolate your cat from small children and other animals.

Your cat might jump if it's startled or feels threatened. Small children and other animals can be boisterous and erratic, which is not what your cat needs right now. If you want to keep it from jumping or running, control the environment around it so it doesn't feel the need to run and hide. If you have other cats, separate them from your recovering cat so they don't try to chase or play with it, which can encourage it to jump.^{[8]XResearch source}
- If you have little ones who are attached to the cat, this might be hard for them. Explain that the cat needs to be quiet and calm. Then, allow the kids to visit the cat one at a time for a few minutes while you supervise.
- Other cats might also try to groom the surgical site, which can hinder recovery. If your cat is bonded with one of your other cats, you might allow the other to visit while you supervise so you can step in if necessary.
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6

Maintain a calm, quiet environment during your cat's recovery.

Let everyone in the house know the cat needs quiet. Cats' ears are more sensitive than yours and loud or sudden noises can cause them to startle and jump. Keep the volume low throughout your home, but especially in the immediate vicinity of your cat's recovery area.^{[9]XResearch source}
- For example, you might want to put off vacuuming the carpet until after your cat has recovered. If anything will cause your cat to jump, a vacuum cleaner will.
- If you have other animals, it's going to be a little more difficult to keep them calm and quiet because they aren't going to understand what's going on. Just do your best to keep them away from your cat's recovery area. For example, you might need to set up gates to block your dog from sitting or barking right outside the door.

7

Restrict your cat's access to toys.

If your cat gets excited it might jump while playing. It might sound cruel to take your cat's toys away, but the kind of play toys encourage can set back its recovery. Dangler toys and toys designed for cats to run, pounce, and chase are particularly bad.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Depending on the type of surgery your cat had, a lot of kicking can be bad as well. Generally, any vigorous movement risks stretching the surgical site and opening the wound.
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8

Visit your cat frequently to keep it from getting bored.

As your cat starts to feel better, it'll get bored by itself. You can probably understand this—you'd get bored too if you were cooped up in a room by yourself with nothing to do. But when it gets bored and restless, it's more likely to jump. When you see that your cat's awake, go in and hang out for a few minutes.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Especially in the first couple of days, your cat needs love and pets. Speak to it in a calm, soothing voice while you stroke it gently.
- Within a few days of surgery, you might bring some soft toys with you to play with your cat—just don't leave them in the room. If you're watching your cat play, you can intervene before it gets too excited.

9

Keep your cat indoors until the surgical wound has healed.

If your cat goes outside, it'll be more likely to jump. If your cat normally spends time outdoors, plan on keeping it inside for at least 2 weeks (or as long as your vet says). There are too many temptations outside for your cat to run and jump on things, plus it's easy to get out of your sight. Indoors, it's easier for you to monitor your cat's behavior.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Your vet might have closed the surgical site with stitches that gradually dissolve on their own as your cat's skin heals. With those, it typically takes about a week for the wound to heal.^{[13]XResearch source}
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10

Give your cat space when it returns home from surgery.

Immediately after surgery, your cat will be upset, disoriented, and scared. If you hover over your cat or try to pet it a lot, you're likely to get swatted at or bitten—don't take it personally. It's fine to pet your cat if it's calm and doesn't seem to mind, but be careful not to get it riled up.^{[14]XResearch source}
- If you observe your cat from a distance, you can still make sure it's okay without upsetting it further or making it anxious.

11

Ask your vet about anesthetics for your cat.

Anesthetics ease pain and can keep your cat calm. Typically, your cat will still be under the effects of an anesthetic when it comes home. Your vet might give you an anesthetic to give to your cat later if it seems to be uncomfortable or in pain. Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your vet and call them if you have any questions.^{[15]XResearch source}
- While under the effects of an anesthetic, your cat will be easily startled by loud sounds and sudden movements, so it's even more important to keep it isolated in a calm environment.
- Keep in mind cats don't really vocalize when they're in pain. It can be a lot harder to tell when a cat's in pain than it would be for a dog because they'll try to hide it. The best you can do is compare to your cat's normal personality and behavior.^{[16]XResearch source}
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12

Restrict your cat's movement for at least 1-2 weeks.

Jumping can reopen the wound if the surgery site hasn't healed. For general surgery, stitches (or sutures) are typically removed 7-14 days after surgery. During that time, it's extra important to keep your cat from jumping. After the stitches are removed, you might still need to restrict your cat's movement for up to a week just to make sure everything heals right—your vet will let you know when you go to get the stitches removed.^{[17]XResearch source}
- With routine surgeries, such as spaying or neutering, the surgical site is closed with stitches that dissolve by themselves, so you don't have to take your cat back to the vet to get stitches removed. The process usually takes about a week.^{[18]XResearch source}