How to Care for a Cat Post Caesarean Section

Last Updated: November 9, 2022

A Cesarean section (or c-section) is a surgical procedure whereby kittens are removed from a cat's uterus (when natural kittening difficult for some reason). Most cats can recovery quickly from c-section surgery, but they will need some additional care after they come home. By ensuring adequate rest, feeding your cat properly, and understand when to see a vet, you can help your cat recovery safely.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Ensuring Proper Rest

1
Keep her indoors for at least two weeks. In order for your cat to get adequate rest (and to prevent infection), it is important for her to stay indoors (where you can keep an eye on her) for at least two weeks. Close any open cat-doors, and keep your cat inside. Make sure to have a litter box nearby so your cat can relieve herself without needing to go outside.^{[1]
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2
Make accommodations. A c-section is an invasive surgery. Your cat will have staples or stitches, and she will be very sore. Strenuous activity like jumping could cause a ligature to slip or inflame her wound, so discourage her from jumping or climbing stairs for a while by placing obstacles on high perches she likes to sit on. Ensure that everything your cat needs remains on one floor of your house, and make sure she can easily access all amenities. You may want to:
- Relocate food and water bowls.
- Relocate litter boxes.
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3
Monitor her closely. During the first few hours after your cat returns home, keep a close eye on her. She may still be drowsy and weak, and could fall and hurt herself (or one of the kittens). Kittens should not be left alone with her until she is fully revived, able to stand on her own without stumbling, and shows an interest in taking care of them.^{[2]
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- Until the mother cat is ready to care for the babies, ensure that they are kept warm.
- Place them in a box with a blanket. If your house is especially cold, you can include a heating pad on a low setting.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Feeding Your Cat Post-Caesarean

1
Offer small amounts of food every 15-30 minutes. After your cat returns home, she needs to eat to regain her strength. However, if she eats too much too quickly right after the anesthetic, she is likely to vomit. As such, you should offer her small amounts of food (1/4 cup [59 ml] at a time or less), frequently (every 15-30 minutes). Her food intake in the first few days post-Cesarean should be about 1.5 times what she ate before she became pregnant.^{[3]
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2
Feed her high-quality kitten food. If your cat is nursing her kittens, it is important for her to consume the right food. She should be eating kitten formula food of a high-quality brand. Speak to your vet about which food they recommend for nursing mothers.^{[4]
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3
Gradually increase her food intake. If your cat is keeping her food down, begin to gradually increase the amount of food she eats. By the third or forth week after her c-section, she should be consuming 2 to 2.5 times what she ate before becoming pregnant, depending on how many kittens she’s nursing.^{[5]
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4
Make sure the kittens are eating. Newborn kittens will need to nurse almost immediately. As soon as the mother cat is awake and aware, you can help her begin to nurse. Help the mother to lay still and line the kittens up to her teats. You can also give the teats a little squeeze to express some milk, which should encourage the babies to begin nursing.^{[6]
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- Depending on the nature of your mother cat's recovery, your vet may recommend supplementing the kittens with kitten formula until the mother cat is ready to nurse.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Understanding When to See a Vet

1
Take her temperature. If your cat seems unusually warm, you can take her temperature to check for fever. Between 100.5 and 102.5 degrees F (38.1 to 39.2 degrees C) is considered normal for a cat. Your cat's temperature may rise 1-2 degrees F (0.5 - 1 degrees C) above normal for the first 1-3 days. If it has been longer than three days, or if your cat's temperature rises above 104. degrees F (40 degrees C), it is time to consult your vet.^{[7]
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- Never give your cat acetaminophen or aspirin. These medications are toxic for cats.
2
Monitor vaginal discharge. For the first week after your cat gives birth, a bloody vaginal discharge is to be expected. This discharge will be heaviest for the first three days, and then begin to taper off. If the vaginal discharge continues for more than a week, changes color, or develops an odor, seek the advice of your vet.^{[8]
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- If your cat was spayed at the time of the c-section, there may be no discharge at all.
3
Look at her incision. Your cat's incision should be examined daily for signs of excessive swelling, redness, or discharge. Wash your hands before touching your cat, and avoid touching the incision itself.^{[9]
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4
Have stitches or staples removed. Depending on the type of material that was used, your cat's stitches or staples may or may not need to be removed. In general, any staples and any visible stitches will need to be removed 10-14 days after the procedure. If you cannot see the stitches, they are most likely absorbable, and will not need to be removed. Discuss these details with your vet.^{[10]
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5
Listen for whimpering kittens. Young kittens should be nursing or sleeping almost all of the time. Although they will occasionally whimper, they should not cry much. If you notice the kittens crying often, or for long period of time, check that they’re warm enough and have been fed recently. If they continue crying, contact your vet immediately. Excessive whimpering could be a sign of inadequate milk or other milk-related problems that could be ultimately fatal to baby kittens if not recognized and corrected.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can I let my kittens be with their mother when she got surgery the day before?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes! In fact, the kittens suckling from the mother will help her recovery. Just make sure she has milk for the kittens and you don't need to supplement with kitten milk replacer. Also, keep checking her wound to make sure it is not sore and that the kittens have not scratched it.