Caring for Your Dog After Surgery

Most dogs need rest and close monitoring after surgery, even if it was a routine or minor procedure, careful aftercare helps prevent complications and supports a smooth recovery.

If you are ever unsure about your dog’s recovery, please contact your veterinary practice for advice.

Cage Rest (if advised by your vet)

Only use cage or crate rest if your vet has specifically recommended it and:

• Make sure the crate is large enough for a bed and water bowl that your dog can’t stand in or knock over.
• It should not be so large that your dog can move around excessively.
• Place it somewhere you spend time, so your dog doesn’t feel isolated.
• If permitted by your vet, provide low-impact enrichment such as puzzle feeders or food toys to keep their mind active.

Food and Water

• Ensure fresh drinking water is always available.
• Feed small amounts of their usual food for the first 24–48 hours.
• Avoid rich or fatty treats.

If your dog seems reluctant to eat, try gently warming their food or offering a small amount of plain cooked chicken breast or white fish.

Please contact your vet if your dog refuses food for more than 24 hours after surgery or they vomit.

Toileting

Please keep your dog on a lead when going outside. They should pass urine normally. If they are straining or unable to wee, contact your vet.

It’s common for dogs not to pass a bowel movement for a couple of days after surgery and this can be due to fasting beforehand and the effects of anaesthetic.

However, contact your vet if they are straining or they develop diarrhoea.

Medication

• Give all prescribed medication exactly as directed.
• Use a chart or phone reminder to stay on schedule.
• Do not stop medication early, even if your dog seems better.
• Contact your vet if you think your dog is in pain or uncomfortable.

Wounds and Stitches

Your dog may have eternal stitches which are visible to you or internal dissolvable stitches which you will not be able to see.

Your dog will have shaved patches around the surgery site, don’t worry, their fur will grow back.

To protect the wound:

• Use a cone (Elizabethan/Buster collar), inflatable collar, or recovery suit
• Prevent licking or chewing at all times
• Keep protection on until the wound has fully healed

If your dog struggles to eat with a cone, you may remove it briefly for meals, but only if you can supervise and replace it immediately afterwards.

Check the wound at least twice daily. Contact your vet if you notice:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Missing stitches
• Discharge
• A bad smell

Please do not apply creams or clean the wound unless your vet has instructed you to do so.

Follow-Up Appointments

Attend all scheduled check-ups, even if your dog seems well, as your vet may need to remove stitches, check the healing progress or adjust or stop any pain relief.

When to Contact Your Vet Immediately

Seek veterinary advice urgently if your dog shows any of the following:

• Extreme weakness or unable to stand
• Very low energy lasting more than 48 hours
• Signs of pain
• Difficulty urinating or defecating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Refusing food for more than 24 hours
• Redness, swelling, bleeding or discharge from the wound

Summary

Recovery times vary depending on the type of surgery and your dog’s age and health. Rest, careful monitoring and following your vet’s instructions are the best ways to support healing.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and contact your veterinary practice as early advice can prevent small issues from becoming serious problems.