How to Stop a Cat From Licking Stitches

Cats are fastidious self-groomers, so they regularly lick themselves to keep their fur neat and clean. It is normally a wanted behavior, but if your newly adopted cat has stitches, the licking can quickly become problematic. Licking stitches can irritate the incision and loosen stitches before they are ready to come out. 

Because of this, it’s important to keep your cat from licking or chewing their stitches without limiting their ability to eat, drink, use the litter box, or participate in other normal activities. Different physical coverings and barriers are available to keep your cat from licking, but not all options may work for your cat.

TL;DR: To stop a cat from licking stitches, use a cone, soft fabric recovery collar, or post-surgical onesie that physically prevents access to the incision while allowing eating, drinking, and litter box use. If the cat persistently tries to reach the incision despite barriers, seems excessively distressed, or the wound appears red, swollen, or oozing, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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Why is my cat licking their stitches?

If your cat has stitches, this means they had some sort of injury or surgery that requires sutures until their skin has completely healed. Depending on the injury or surgery, there may also be stitches under the skin that you can’t see, holding other tissues in place. No matter where the stitches are, though, they can be painful, itchy, or irritating to your cat, causing your kitty to lick them in an attempt to make the incision feel better.

Pain

Your cat’s sutures may be too tight, or the surgery your cat just endured may be causing them pain. If you think your cat is in pain, contact your veterinarian to see what you can do to help them. Pain medications, cold laser therapy, and other treatments may be recommended.

Itchiness

Stitches can be itchy due to the body’s natural healing process. Histamine cells are released during the healing process to prepare for new-cell creation, but they also cause itching. This is normal and will go away with time as the incision heals.

Irritation

Some cats have a sensitivity to specific kinds of sutures, or they move too much, which causes their stitches to rub on tissue layers beneath their skin, resulting in irritation. Doing your best to keep your cat calm and prevent them from jumping or moving in other ways that could stretch and pull on their stitches can decrease the likelihood of suture irritation and delayed healing. If you’re having a hard time keeping your cat grounded, talk to your veterinarian about calming supplements or medications that you can temporarily give your cat.

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Using a cat cone 

The traditional way to keep a cat from licking their stitches is to use an Elizabethan collar, also known as a cone. These collars are usually made from rigid plastic and look like lampshades, but they have a very important use. They’re placed around your cat’s head to create a physical barrier to keep them from reaching and licking their stitches. 

If properly sized, cat cones can be very beneficial in protecting your cat’s stitches. But if the cone is too small, your cat will be able to lick around it. And if a cone is too big, a cat can have difficulty walking, using the litter box, eating, drinking, and playing, and therefore have an overall poor quality of life.

How to keep a cat from licking stitches without a cone

While traditional cones can keep your cat from licking their stitches, they can also cause unnecessary stress and discomfort, even if sized appropriately. Some cats will become depressed or stressed and refuse to play, eat, drink, or use the litter box. Because of this, other options may be needed — but you should always follow your veterinarian’s guidance based on your cat’s specific surgical situation. 

Cat pajamas after surgery

Cat pajamas aren’t just stylish, they’re also practical and protective. A variety of patterns and colors are available to choose from if you’re looking for some stylish post-surgical wear. But if you choose this option to keep your cat from licking their stitches, make sure they can tolerate wearing clothes — because some cats will act like they can’t walk and won’t play, eat, drink, or use the litter box while in their pajamas.

A T-shirt or onesie 

Baby onesies or small t-shirts can also be used to keep your cat from licking their stitches. Make sure the cloth isn’t too loose or restrictive and that your cat can’t get around the fabric to reach their stitches. 

Soft cones for cats

This option still creates a physical barrier to the incision but is more lightweight and flexible for daily activities. Some cats will simply bend or fold a soft cone, though, so you should ensure it is effective in preventing your cat from getting to their stitches before leaving them unsupervised in a soft cone.

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Distraction

Temporarily distracting your cat with toys and treats can keep them from licking their stitches. This will only work when they are supervised, so if your cat is left alone, you should utilize another method to keep them from licking their stitches.

Deterrents

Spray and cream deterrents that taste bitter may be applied around your cat’s incision. These products should not be placed on the incision, only around the edges of it.

Bandages

Depending on where your cat’s stitches are located — and the type of incision they have — a bandage covering may be an option. Discuss whether or not it’s safe to cover your cat’s stitches with a bandage with your veterinarian. Some wounds that require stitches are better left uncovered. Plus, it’s easier to monitor them for signs of infection if they aren’t covered with a bandage.

What signs of infection should I look for?

After surgery, you should not only keep your cat from licking their stitches, but also monitor the incision for signs of infection. Some bruising can be normal after surgery, but if the wound is swollen, red, or has discharge, it may be infected. If you suspect that your cat’s incision is infected, sutures are missing, or the incision has opened up, contact your veterinarian so they can determine if your cat needs antibiotics or new stitches.

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Be patient with your cat

Although it can seem like a long time before your cat stops bothering their stitches, it won’t be a problem for long. Don’t forget to be patient with your cat, and keep in mind that the itching usually stops after the first week as the body heals. If your cat has stitches that need to be removed once the incision heals, these usually come out after 10 to 14 days — so this is usually the worst-case scenario for how long you’ll have to keep them from licking their stitches.

Commonly asked questions 

Do male cats have stitches after neutering?

No, most male cats do not have stitches after they get neutered. Routine cat neuters do not require stitches, but if there is abnormal bleeding during the procedure or an abnormally large incision needs to be made, stitches or skin glue may be needed. But if your cat has a retained testicle, an abdominal incision will be needed to neuter them, and this will require skin sutures or glue to close the incision. This will look similar to cat-spay stitches on the belly.

What can I use to cover my cat’s stitches? 

Depending on where your cat’s stitches are located (and if your veterinarian approves), you may be able to cover them with a special bandage or have your cat wear a small piece of clothing, like a onesie. Be careful not to apply anything too constricting or that prevents your cat from eating or using the litter box.

Do all stitches need to be removed?

No, many stitches will naturally dissolve over time and do not need to be removed. If you can see stitches on the outside of your cat’s skin, they will likely need to be removed in 10 to 14 days. But if the stitches are inside or under your cat’s skin, they will dissolve over time and do not need to be removed. 

References

“Care of Surgical Incisions in Cats.” Vca_corporate, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/care-of-surgical-incisions-in-cats. 

Shenoda, Yustina, et al. ““The Cone of Shame”: Welfare Implications of Elizabethan Collar Use on Dogs and Cats as Reported by Their Owners.” Animals, vol. 10, no. 2, 20 Feb. 2020, p. 333, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7070745, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020333. 

“What to Expect When Your Pet Is Getting Spayed or Neutered.” Vt.edu, 2025, vth.vetmed.vt.edu/animal-care-tips/pet-spay-neuter.html. 

Zimlich, Rachael. “Why Does the Area Where I Have Stitches Itch, and What to Do About It.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 22 Mar. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/itchy-stitches#causes.