Bringing Your Pet Home After Anaesthesia
Most pets recover well after a general anaesthetic or sedation. While many pets are back to normal within 24 hours, it’s common for them to be sleepy, quieter than usual or a little unsettled as the medications wear off.
Providing a calm, safe environment and closely monitoring your pet during the first day at home will help ensure a smooth recovery.
This guide is intended to complement the discharge instructions provided by your veterinarian. If your veterinary team has provided different advice for your pet, always follow their recommendations.
What to expect
During your pet’s procedure they were carefully monitored, including their:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Oxygen levels
- Body temperature
- Breathing
An intravenous (IV) catheter may have been placed to administer fluids, anaesthetic drugs and other medications. Some areas of clipped fur around the catheter or monitoring sites are normal.
What is normal after anaesthesia?
During the first 12–24 hours, your pet may:
- Be sleepy or drowsy
- Be slightly unsteady on their feet
- Be quieter than usual
- Be more vocal, restless or whiny instead of sleepy
- Eat less than normal
- Have a mild cough caused by the breathing tube used during anaesthesia
These effects are generally temporary and should improve as the anaesthetic wears off.
Food and water
When you arrive home:
Water
- Offer small amounts of water every 1–2 hours initially.
- Once your pet is drinking comfortably, fresh water can be left available as normal.
Food
- Wait 1–2 hours before offering food.
- Offer approximately half the normal meal if your pet is interested in eating.
- Reduced appetite during the first 12–24 hours is common.
- Most pets can return to their normal feeding routine the following day if they are recovering well.
- Some procedures may require a soft diet – your veterinarian will advise if this applies to your pet.
Activity
Your pet’s coordination may be temporarily affected after anaesthesia.
For the first day:
- Provide a quiet place to rest.
- Keep your pet away from stairs and elevated furniture.
- Supervise closely while walking.
- Take your pet outside only for short toilet breaks.
- Resume normal activity once they are fully alert and coordinated.
Most pets recover within 12–24 hours, although older pets or those with underlying medical conditions may take longer.
Caring for the IV catheter site
If your pet had an IV catheter placed:
- Remove the bandage as directed by your veterinary team (typically after approximately one hour).
- Monitor the shaved area for redness or irritation.
- Prevent excessive licking.
- Contact your veterinary practice if the area becomes swollen, irritated or concerning.
Special considerations
Some pets may take a little longer to recover.
Extra monitoring may be required for:
- Young pets
- Senior pets
- Pets with diabetes
- Pets with heart disease
- Pets with liver or kidney disease
- Your veterinarian will let you know if your pet requires any additional care at home.
When to contact your veterinarian
Please contact your veterinary team immediately if your pet:
- Has difficulty breathing
- Remains unusually agitated or uncomfortable
- Cannot be easily woken
- Refuses food or water for more than 12 hours
- Vomits repeatedly
- Has diarrhoea that persists
- Cannot walk normally once the anaesthetic should have worn off
- Develops concerning behavioural changes
- If you have any concerns about their recovery
Most pets are back to their usual selves by the following day. If you’re ever unsure whether your pet’s recovery is progressing normally, please contact your veterinary team.
