Glossary

Anesthesia

The medically controlled loss of consciousness and pain sensation that lets a vet perform surgery, dental work or imaging safely.

Also called: anaesthesia, general anesthesia, general anaesthetic, sedation, going under

General anesthesia puts a cat into a controlled, reversible sleep in which it feels no pain and does not move. Vets use it for operations such as spay and neuter surgery, for dental cleaning with X-rays, and for tests that need a cat to lie still. Sedation is lighter, and a cat stays drowsy but may respond.

Before anesthesia the vet examines the cat and often runs a blood test, especially in older cats, to check the kidneys, liver and other organs. Clinics usually ask owners to withhold food for a set time beforehand and will give exact instructions. During the procedure, a tube in the airway, an intravenous line with fluids, and monitors of heart rate, oxygen, breathing, temperature and blood pressure help keep the cat safe.

In a healthy cat, serious problems are uncommon, but no anesthetic is risk-free. Risk is higher in cats that are very old, sick, very young, overweight or have heart or kidney disease, and the vet adapts the plan. Cats may be groggy, cold or wobbly for hours afterward. Call the clinic if a cat vomits repeatedly, refuses to eat, has trouble breathing or seems unusually weak. Ask your vet about the risks for your cat, what monitoring the clinic uses and how it will manage pain.

Last reviewed November 7, 2026

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Related terms

Spay The surgery that removes a female cat's ovaries, and usually the uterus, so she can no longer become pregnant or go into heat. Neuter The surgery that removes a male cat's testicles so he cannot father kittens, with fewer urges to roam, fight and spray. Periodontal disease Infection and inflammation of the gums and tissues that hold the teeth, the most common dental problem in cats. Blood panel A set of blood tests that counts cells and measures chemicals to show how a cat's organs are working. Blood pressure The force of blood against artery walls; high readings in cats usually come from another disease and can damage the eyes, brain, heart and kidneys. Tooth resorption A common, painful dental disease in which the body gradually dissolves part of a cat's tooth, often hidden below the gum line.

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