We recommend they are closely observed during the first 12 hours after surgery. It is not necessary to stay up, or sleep next to your pet and you can leave your dog alone after surgery for short periods as long as they aren't likely to lick their stitches.
Most vets will agree to let you take your pet home if the following criteria are met: No complications arise during your pet's recovery. Your pet is there for the neuter or spay only and not for an additional procedure that may be more complicated.
Keep your pet confined where it will be quiet and warm. DO NOT place it on a bed or other high place. Keep your pet away from other animals and children for at least 12 hours. Offer water and food in very small amounts for the first 12 hours.
The 10-14 days following surgery
Keep your pet quiet as quiet as possible during the first two weeks. Avoid running, jumping, and excessive playing.
Cuddle Up & Relax
Sit with your dog on the couch (if they're allowed) or by their bed. During my dogs recovery period I spent a lot of time reading on the couch with my dog snuggled up next to me. It's an easy way to keep an eye on your dog and you get to spend some nice quality cuddle time together.
Let them sleep as much as they need so that their body can recover. If they are crate trained, then definitely place them into their crate at night. This is so that they have restricted access to the house.
Limit your dog's activity for the first 7-10 days post-surgery. During this dog neuter recovery period while the surgical site is healing, limit exercise to short walks and monitor yard time.
No running, jumping, climbing stairs or doing anything other than walking on a leash for the next 10 days. Your pet needs to be kept in an indoor crate/ kennel for most of the day and night for the next 10 days. The time of highest risk for the sutures breaking down is 3-5 days after surgery.
You need to keep your pet's activities to a minimal for a full 14 days, even if they seem like they're back to normal within a day or two. This means no running, jumping, rolling or wrestling. If you have other dogs, keep them apart for the two weeks.
After your dog's neuter surgery, your pet should be experiencing a minimal amount of pain, but we know that you will likely want to help them rest and remain as comfortable as possible.
While castration does not calm dogs down, it can reduce testosterone-driven actions such as mounting behaviour. It may increase a dog's focus or concentration.
To summarise, do not leave your dog alone with a cone, especially if it's their first time. They need to be under supervision until they get used to the cone. Keep an eye on their behaviour and take them to a vet immediately if you notice something unusual.
Puzzle Games and Snuffle Mats
Many of these games involve hiding a treat in a little compartment and letting your puppy sniff them out. Depending on the puzzle game your puppy will be able to flip lids, turn knobs, open drawers, and lift up cones to uncover hidden treats.
Male dogs start lifting their leg to urinate when they are approximately 6-12 months old. Both neutered and non-neutered dogs will lift their legs, but it is more common for a neutered dog to squat. For the dog, it's all about personal preference and their message.
Try to only leave your dog for four hours at a time in the days after her surgery. During the first three to four days after her surgery, you can leave your dog alone for four hours at a time.
If it has indeed been more than 24 hours and you are certain that your dog has not urinated, this is cause for alarm. Notify your vet right away in an effort to prevent serious health risks. Urinary retention can put your pet's life in danger, especially if they lack bladder control due to some type of injury.
Keep him as quiet as possible for one week. Too much activity too soon will disrupt the healing process and may result in a painfully swollen scrotum or fluid build-up (seroma). Short on-leash walks are okay. Running or off-leash yard play should not be allowed.
The cone needs to stay on the entire time the dog is healing, especially if you won't be around to watch her. You can consider taking the cone off during walks, or try using a longer leash until the dog becomes spatially aware of what's around them while wearing the cone.
You should avoid taking off your dog's cone while they are sleeping, as they are designed to allow dogs to sleep normally. It may take them some time to get used to, and it may be tempting to remove it to help them sleep more comfortably, but cones should be kept on as long as possible, including at night.
Helping Your Dog Heal
Not only can dogs sleep with a cone on, but they should always sleep with a cone or cone alternative until their wound heals. Although watching your dog try to fall asleep with a cone on can feel uncomfortable, know that you're doing the right thing.
A few male dogs will suffer from separation anxiety after the neutering process and may find it harder to relax if you're not nearby. It can make things more difficult in your everyday life, but these side effects should simmer down quickly. Dog nervousness can also show itself with excessive barking.
This sort of restless behaviour, agitation and even whimpering/crying isn't unusual and can be caused by the anaesthetic. It does take a day or two for the anaesthetic to completely clear the system and some dogs can feel very disorientated when it's wearing off.
The effects of neutering are not immediate. It takes several weeks for the dog's body to adjust to the lack of testosterone. During this time, you may notice that your dog is less active and has less energy than usual. After a few weeks, most dogs return to their normal activity levels.