Healing After Surgery: How to Care for Your Cat or Dog (and Why a Bamboo Surgery Suit Helps)

Bringing your pet home after surgery is a huge relief, but it can also feel a bit scary. They may be wobbly, sleepy, or not quite themselves, and you’re suddenly in charge of keeping them safe, comfy, and on track to heal.

The good news? With a calm environment, a few simple routines, and the right protective clothing (like our soft bamboo surgery suit), most cats and dogs recover well quickly, and from our very own experiences, we know exactly how resilient our little four legged friends are.

This guide walks you through practical, vet-aligned tips for post-surgery care for both cats and dogs - plus how a bamboo surgery suit can make the healing process easier for everyone.

Important: Always follow the discharge instructions from your own vet first. If anything in this article differs from their advice, your vet’s guidance wins every time. 

The First 24 Hours: What’s Normal?

Right after surgery, it’s very common for pets to:

• Be sleepy or wobbly from the anaesthetic for 24–48 hours

• Have slightly dilated pupils or seem a bit “out of it”

• Be quieter than usual and want to rest

Most vets recommend you:

• Take your pet straight home and avoid extra stops

• Carry small pets if possible and help larger dogs in and out of the car

• Let them settle in a quiet, warm room away from children and other pets  

If your pet seems extremely distressed, can’t stand, is vomiting repeatedly, or you just have a gut feeling something isn’t right, call your vet. They are there to support you and have a wealth of knowledge on what is normal and what could be a concern.

Set Up a Calm, Cosy Recovery Space

Think of this as your pet’s little “healing nest.” Cats and dogs both recover better when they’re calm and not over-stimulated. 

Choose a quiet area where you can:

• Keep them away from stairs, slippery floors, and jumping hazards

• Shut doors or use baby gates to limit roaming

• Keep other pets from bothering or playing too roughly

Make it comfortable:

• A thick, supportive bed or crate mat

• Blankets that smell like home

• Easy access to water (and litter trays for cats)

If your pet is wearing a cone or surgery suit, check that they can still lie down, turn around, and get to their food and water easily.

Pain Relief & Medication: Stick to the Plan

Your vet will usually send your pet home with pain relief, and sometimes antibiotics or other medication. Correct pain management is essential, not just for comfort, but because pain can make pets restless, anxious, and more likely to disturb their wound. 

Golden rules:

• Give all medication exactly as prescribed, and double check the dosage before administration.

• Use reminders (phone alarms work great) so you don’t miss a dose

• Never give human painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin, many are highly toxic to pets

If your cat or dog still seems very uncomfortable despite medication (crying, panting at rest, can’t settle), link in with your vet. They may need to adjust the dose or change the prescription. 

Protecting the Wound: Cone vs Bamboo Surgery Suit

One of the most important jobs you have is stopping your pet from licking, chewing, or scratching the surgical site. This is where the right protective gear is a game-changer. 

Why protection matters

Unprotected wounds are at much higher risk of:

• Infection

• Stitches opening

• Irritation and delayed healing

Traditionally vets use the Elizabethan collar (“cone of shame”). Cones do work, but many pets:

• Struggle to eat and drink comfortably

• Bump into furniture and walls

• Become stressed or anxious due to altered sound or vision

How our bamboo surgery suit can help

A surgery suit is a soft, body-hugging garment that covers the surgical area, acting like a gentle barrier between your pet and their wound. Vet clinics increasingly recommend recovery suits for dogs as a comfortable alternative or complement to cones. Felines can be a little more fussy when wearing protective clothing, so finding the right cat surgery suit is important.

Our bamboo surgery suit is designed to support healing by offering:

• Soft, stretchy fabric – Bamboo-based material feels gentle on shaved, sensitive skin and allows natural movement.

• Breathability – Helps keep the wound area ventilated, which is important for skin health and healing.

• Full coverage where it matters – Protects the chest, belly or flank while allowing enough freedom for normal toileting (with a clever open/roll-up area).

• Eco-conscious choice – Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource, so you’re choosing something kinder to the planet as well as your pet.

Some pets still need a cone as well, especially cheeky determined lickers, but many do brilliantly with just a well-fitted surgery suit. Refer to our Sizing Calculator Tool to help find a Recovery Suit that offers both comfort and security for your Dog or Cat.

Tips for using a surgery suit safely:

• Make sure it’s the right size for your cat or dog, snug but not tight

• Check the area around the wound twice a day by gently opening/rolling back the suit

• Keep the fabric dry and clean

• Stop using it and contact your vet if you notice rubbing, redness, or your pet seems very uncomfortable

Rest, Movement & Exercise

After surgery, most pets need strict rest for at least several days, sometimes longer depending on the procedure. Overdoing it too soon can undo the surgeon’s hard work. 

For dogs:

• Short, on-lead toilet breaks only at first

• No running, jumping, rough play, or off-lead walks until your vet says it’s okay

• Block access to sofas, beds, and stairs if they’re likely to jump

For cats:

• Keep them indoors during recovery

• Avoid high climbing spots and tall scratching posts

• A single “recovery room” works well for active cats that normally zoom around

Your vet will tell you when to slowly reintroduce normal walks or play. Don’t rush it, even if your pet thinks they’re ready!

Food, Water & Toileting

It’s common for pets to have a slightly reduced appetite the first evening after surgery. Nausea from anaesthesia and pain relief can make them a bit picky. 

General tips:

• Start with a small, bland meal if your vet recommends it

• Offer fresh water at all times

• If they vomit after eating, skip the next meal and call your vet for advice

Keep an eye on:

• Whether your dog is urinating and passing stools normally

• Whether your cat is using the litter tray and not straining

No pee or poo within 24 hours of coming home? That’s a good reason to check in with your vet.

Keeping Them Calm & Happy

Healing isn’t just physical, stress can slow recovery in pets just like in people.

To help your cat or dog relax:

• Keep visitors to a minimum for a few days

• Use gentle praise and treats when you need to handle them or check the wound

• Offer calm enrichment like food puzzles or lick mats (as long as your vet hasn’t restricted food)  

Some pets find snug clothing, like a recovery body suit, reassuring, it can feel like a gentle hug, which may help them settle more easily than when wearing a big plastic cone.

When to Call the Vet

Contact your vet urgently if you notice:

• Redness, swelling, heat, or foul odour from the incision

• Thick discharge or bleeding from the wound

• Your pet repeatedly crying, panting heavily at rest, or seeming very distressed

• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours

• Vomiting, diarrhoea, or collapse  

Trust your instincts, you know your pet better than anyone.

Final Thoughts

Surgery is a big deal, but it’s often the first step toward a healthier, happier life for your cat or dog. With:

• A quiet recovery space

• Good pain control and consistent medication

• Protection for the wound (cone or surgery suit, as advised)

• Plenty of gentle reassurance

…you’re giving your pet the best chance of a smooth, stress-free healing journey.

Our bamboo surgery suit is designed to be part of that journey: soft, breathable, eco-friendly protection that helps keep curious paws and tongues away from healing wounds, so they can focus on what they do best: snoozing, purring, and wagging their way back to full health.