You need to think like a prison warden with a soft spot for felines. Start by blocking all vertical escape routes. Take that cat tree and lay it on its side. It looks ridiculous, like a fallen redwood at a cat rave, but that’s the point. Your cat will stare at it with pure disdain, and that’s okay. Disdain heals faster than torn muscles.
Next, the sneaky surfaces. My cat once used a stack of three paperback novels as a launch pad to reach the top of a bookshelf. Remove any books, mail, or cardboard boxes within a ten-foot radius of a counter. Yes, even your tax returns. A cat’s ambition knows no IRS deadlines.
The "No-Fly Zone" Litter Box
Here’s a plot twist: litter boxes are often the biggest danger zone. Cats love to leap into them like they’re diving into a pool of sand. For post-surgery, get a low-entry litter box—or just cut a hole in a cardboard box. It’s ugly, but your cat can waddle in without turning into a catapult.
Also, swap out your regular litter for a paper-based, dust-free kind. Tiny particles can get stuck in wounds and cause infections. Plus, it’s softer on paws that are already grumpy. Your cat might complain, but remind them that you are the one who pays the vet bills.
How to keep your cat from jumping after surgery - Johnny Kitten
