My cat got spayed and is missing. Is it normal for her to hide?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your new cat. I suspect that she hides as she is still adjusting to life in your home. Indoor cats are fairly sedentary anyways and will spent a portion of their day sleeping. They tend to be more active in the evenings or nights by nature. She is potentially still a little sore from her surgery as well. It sounds like is adjusting well to living with you. Just be patient with her. I hope this information helps!

I'm glad Jay's incision looks good! A spay is an abdominal surgery, and cats can be quieter for a bit after the surgery. This is normal, and it's actually better that she is quiet because you want her to rest as much as possible. Now if you are afraid she is in pain, give your vet a call. They can prescribe some more pain medications for her if needed. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to cats and are fatal if given. Make sure she is eating and drinking water, and continue to keep an eye on her and her incision. If she becomes very lethargic and/or stops eating and drinking, this is not normal and you will need to take her into a vet right way. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

The cat should be kept indoors in a small room the first night as she will probably be tired and wobbly on her feet after surgery. In a small room it is best so that way she won't injury herself. It is best to continue to keep her indoors for at least 10 days. Look at the incision daily to make it sure it is not red, swollen or having any discharge coming from it. If you notice any abnormalities call your vet. She should not be allowed to lick the incision. If she does, you will need to get her a cone collar to wear for 10 days or so. If your vet dispenses any medications for after the surgery you will also need to give her those. If you any further questions please feel free to post again. Best wishes!

That could be absolutely normal, I would recommend to keep her indoors as much as possible and do not stress her (like touching her belly) if she does not want/like it. If there are no other signs a part from the ones you described, I would not be worried at this stage. Keep in touch if the signs persist and remember that you can attach pics of the surgical wound if you like, so we can give you more specific advices. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Your cat is most likely reacting to the "trauma" of going to the veterinarian, rather than the vaccinations. This is not an uncommon reaction for some cats. She may be shy or skittish around you for a day or two post-vet trip but should start to calm down if you leave her alone and give her space to recover on her own. (Some cats do take a little longer.) As long as she is still eating, drinking, and using the litter box appropriately (both urine and feces), then she should be fine in time. However, if she stops eating or drinking or using the litter box, you need to contact your veterinarian.

I would recommend keeping her confined for at least the first 72 hours but it may need to be longer depending on how energetic she is. Making sure she stays quiet and is not allowed to jump up and down on furniture is paramount for at least the first week after surgery. Keeping a cone on her so she doesn't get at her stitches is important too. I'd recommend keeping a cone on her until she gets her stitches out.

You really do want to limit Grey’s walking around and especially don’t allow her to jump. Go ahead and put her back in her room. It’s normal for cats to meow when they aren’t happy about being confined. Try visiting her in her room instead of her visiting in your room. If she really gets distressed, call the vet and ask about a sedative. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.