Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

My cat keeps removing her cone after spay. How to protect stitches?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My Cat just got spade and her shots. She had to get a cone for her head but she some how managed to get it off. What should I do so she doesn’t take it off or mess with her stitches tonight so I can sleep?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on November 2nd, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. You can try feeding her collar through her cone to make it more difficult to remove. Make the collar snug, but make sure you can place at least two fingers underneath. If this does not help, you can try securing it around her neck and then under her armpits and back up. This attaches it more like a harness if you leave a long enough piece of a guaze tie. I hope this information helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Image profile

    Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 11th, 2018

    It is ok to place cat clothing on him to cover the area, but it still should be allowed to have oxygen, so no bandages should be placed. Also you can try feeding a collar through the cone if it is one of the ones that has loops at the base. Best of luck with Alaska and I hope that her sutures stay in place so this can heal properly. Cats are fast healers and typically after 7-10 days are completely healed, as long as the site doesn't get infected. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Take care!

    Vote icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

See More Answers

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
We had our 5 year old cat spayed today and she kept taking her cone off so we bought her a vest, but everytime we leave the room she somehow manages to get out of it! What shall I do? She isn't biting the stitches, just cleaning them then leaving the
You could try a baby/infant t-shirt to see if this will prevent her from getting to the stitches. You may also consider one of the inflatable collars that are more comfortable but still prevent them from licking incisions on their abdomen. You can usually find these are your local Petco or pet store. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I've just had my kitten spayed today and she is not happy about her collar at all and I have to constantly watch her so she doesn't take it off which she's done already once and I've had to put it back on, and I'm worrried she'll remove it while I'm
There are several different types of collars, so you may need to try a different kind. Some are hard plastic. These you need to feed over a collar or some thick string to secure it on the neck. Not too tight, but tight enough that it cannot easily slip over the ears. Another kind is a soft, floppy blue fabric-like collar. These are useful in cats because they can either go forward over the head or backwards to cover the body. When Oreo tries to lick her incision, it should scoot down to cover her. Another type is shaped like a bowl. It uses velcro to secure over the head. These are very effective but not very comfortable since they can be very heavy for kittens. Another option is to get a small baby onsie or kitten body suit. You can cut a small hole so that she can still go potty and for her tail to fit through. Another type of suit is called Suitical Recovery Suit for Cats - it has great reviews!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
I had my cat spayed Saturday i noticed she has licked her incision a little bit i bought a collar but she fought till shw had it kicked off with her back feet do uhave any suggetions
Hi there. You can try using a small T shirt backwards on her so she can still urinate but so her incision is covered. You can also get a collar for her and use a hair tie to secure the e collar to the collar so she can't kick it off. It may also be too big for her, your vet may have some that fit better. I hope that helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
6 month old kitten spayed today. She is very stressed out and won't keep her collar on. She's trying to bite her stitches and trying to jump on furniture. All vets are closed as it's nighttime, what can we do?
You can try to use a pet shirt or baby onesie to cover the stitches. Or make a belly bandage using whatever you have around the house - like clean dish towels and duct tape. If you have a small kennel or carrier, Bonnie may need to stay in there to stay confined since excessive running or jumping can cause internal sutures to loosen up and cause bleeding problems. You may call your vet tomorrow or look at pet stores for different styles of e-collars. Some are shaped like a cone, some are floppy like a sunhat and can be worn pointing towards the shoulders, and some are inflatable donuts.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat just got spayed today & came home with me but i dont know what to do. She wont keep her soft cone on & im scared of her licking open her wound but the way she tries to take off the cone is worrying me even more. Its 3 am & around 7 pm i called
I would recommend taking the e-collar off and keep her in a closed room with you. most cats won't open the spay wound and in her case i think the cage and the collar are causing her too much stress. if you see that she is licking the area obsessively- put the collar back on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Im not sure if its harmful or not because my cat just got spayed and she's been trying to pull them stitches out. Is it okay or its something normal?
Hi there. No, we definitely don't want Leia to pull her stitches out! If your veterinarian did not provide you with an e-collar (plastic cone) to prevent this, you need to get one ASAP from a pet store and put it on her. You could also use a snugly fitting T-shirt or something similar to cover the incision so that she can't get to it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! My little kitty had sutures put in yesterday for a superficial wound. I was just curious, I’m worried about him continuing to take his cone off. Would it be okay if I made him a little jacket that covers it so he can’t get to it still. As lon
It is ok to place cat clothing on him to cover the area, but it still should be allowed to have oxygen, so no bandages should be placed. Also you can try feeding a collar through the cone if it is one of the ones that has loops at the base. Best of luck with Alaska and I hope that her sutures stay in place so this can heal properly. Cats are fast healers and typically after 7-10 days are completely healed, as long as the site doesn't get infected. Thanks for visiting Boop by Petco. Take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was sprayed on Wednesday but refuses to west the gone. When I put it on her she scratches at it with her feet, will this pull her stitches out? How do I convince her to wear it?
This likely won't cause harm to the surgical site, but if she removes or doesn't wear the e-collar (cone), she may lick or chew at the incision /sutures. Try placing the collar then sitting with her and distract her until she calms down. Her response is a common one initially but usually passes. Other options include a donut collar or Bite-Not collar. There are also vests or shirts that can be fitted to protect incisions while healing. Check out the Suitical (www.suitical.com) or the SurgiSnuggly (www.surgisnuggly.com).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
Hi I have a 2 year old calico who was spayed on Friday 3/22. We have tried all thins from a cone to a suit to keep her from licking her stitches. She freaks out and flips around until the e collar come off. Worried we are doing more harm than good. A
Yep, she definitely needs it even if she freaks out unfortunately. She may need some sedative medications to help from your veterinarian. There are different types of ecollars too like plastic, soft, innertube like, etc. Maybe try a different type. Good luck
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi , my cat has just been neutered and they shave the part which they stich however , she keeps trying to remove the stich what happens if she succeeds????
If Shadow manages to pull out the stitches, the incision will come apart, leaving a big incision where infection can enter into the body, and there is a potential of herniation of internal organs. That becomes a medical emergency. If she has pulled out stitches, you need to take her into the vet right away. To prevent her from licking at her spay incision, she needs to be wearing an Ecollar all the time. You can get one from the vet or a pet store.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored