Hi, our 16 month old Bengal (Feanor) has ruptured ligaments in his back right leg and will be operated on this week. We have been told to keep him in a care cage for 6 weeks after the operation (and for the time before his operation).

We have been wondering which would be better: keeping him in a care cage in a social place such as the lounge area, or if a spare bedroom, with no furniture in it for jumping on, would feel more 'homely' than a cage?

We live in a house with decent sized section he is used to freely accessing, so it will be hard on him to be confined for so long, but it has to be done I guess.

If anyone has any experience with/advice for this situation that would be much appreciated. We also have a 4 month old Bengal kitten that we have to keep him separated from as she just wants to play with him all the time (we lost the 16 month old's brother to the road late last year and had to get him a new companion as he was so depressed, so now he has his mad younger sister, Elektra, to keep him company).

Thanks to all those who have provided so much information that we have already learnt from with this site!

Rob and Beate

I have had to cage rest a cat before for a fractured hip and if your vet says cage rest, that is absolutely what is needed. He will be medicated for a while after the surgery and will not be aware of his pain, balance, etc., which is a recipe for him hurting himself again or hurting himself worse if you give him too much freedom. It is so hard confining them but realize that keeping him in the cage will help him heal faster and the best thing you can do is give him lots of rest and restricted movement.

Thanks very much for the advice.

We picked him up yesterday afternoon from the clinic and he is in strict cage rest now, as it seems that is undoubtedly the best course of action for recovery.

We have quite a long cage which allows good separation of food and toilet areas, but are unsure if we should keep the cage as bare as possible, or if it is good for them to have something to release their psychological energy upon, such as a favourite fake mouse to hold and chew?

I would wait and not give him anything that may encourage him to make sudden movements. We had a towel folded next to my girl's food and water to lay on and just swapped it out when she inevitably got litter all over it. Using a towel that smells like you will be comforting to him I am sure. Poor guy. I hope he has a speedy, smooth recovery.

Hi, Just to say you are not alone. I am just about to embark on keeping my bengal in a cage for the next 4 weeks. Last sunday she escaped and was hit by a car , luckily she escaped with just a broken leg. I bought a cage for a large German Shepherd dog and have put a double duvet in - as she jumps up and I was told by the vet its important she has a soft landing. I also put a blanket over the whole thing when she gets too lively/annoyed - it seems cruel but it does calm her down in the end. Hope yours makes a full recovery. I say a mantra of 'cruel to be kind' every day! Good luck x

Our boy Oscar who is 20 months old is going into surgery today because he fell out of a tree and broke his right hind leg in two places. We are hopeful that the surgery will repair most of the damage and now have to start planning his recovery. The idea of a large german shepherd cage is a good one. I will see about getting one.