You might wonder what is neutering? Allow me to explain it to you. Neutering is a common and beneficial procedure which reduces the unwanted pregnancies, risk of certain diseases, and it improves the behaviour of your pooch.
As you might know, after neutering your little pup requires time and proper care, especially when it comes to walking. Walking is an important exercise which makes your dog happy and healthy. But, after neutering surgery, there are many potential risks.
So let me answer your question, How Soon Can I Walk My Dog After Neutering? And provide tips for smooth recovery. We will also discuss why walking your dog too early is harmful? And what are the strategies for faster recovery?
Table of Contents
How Long to Wait Before Taking Your Dog for a Walk After Neutering?
While recovering from the surgery, your dog will need some time to walk and exercise properly. This might be a challenge for little pups as they cannot stay at one place for long.
In fact, dogs do not know how to take care of themselves, so it is your job to look after them and make them rest after the surgery even though he does not like it. Initially, some dogs can feel better when they walk inside the house, but you should be more careful as they might start licking or scratching over the wound.
For the initial 24 hours, your dog might be uneasy because of the surgery and feel sleepy due to medications and stitches, so it is not recommended to take your dog for a walk. Your dog will be tired, so it is better to let him rest.
After 2 days, it is still preferable to let your dog rest because your dog might need some more time to heal the new stitches and if they move or walk too much then there are chances that stitches might come off, and your dog may start bleeding.
On Day 3 the stitches get better, but you have to carefully check the stitches and health of your dog. If your dog looks fine, then you can start with walking a little inside your house. It is advised that you can let your dog walk if he wants to, but he should not get tired or scratch their wounds.
For 10 days, you should allow your dog to do easy things first and let him walk. However, you should avoid any severe and painful exercises. Usually, younger dogs recover faster as compared to older dogs and same way smaller dogs recover faster as compared to huge dogs.
After 10 days, you should again consult a vet and follow the instructions. You should not get worried as some dogs take longer time to heal. Have some patience, your furry friend just need some time to fully recover.
Why Walking Your Dog Too Early Can Be Harmful?
As per the study, neutered dogs live 18% longer as compared to non-castrated dogs.[1] To avoid post-surgery complications, it is better to understand the risk associated with walking neutered dogs. Walking your dog after surgery can cause swelling and pain in the surgical site, which can delay the healing process.
Also, it can increase the risk of bacterial infection and make the pain worse after the surgery, your dog might not be able to walk well. Walking can even interfere with anaesthesia and other recovery medicines, so appropriate resting is necessary.
After neutering, your furry pal may face health issues like weakness and his body might not feel ready for any physical activity so, for complete healing, they should take enough rest.
Strategies for Faster Recovery
For getting back to normal, taking care of your pup is a must. The tips that you can follow to help your dog recover after surgery are:
- To regain the energy to move after neutering surgery, you should start with playing or walking inside the house. After surgery, your dog gets a little hyperactive, so limit your pet’s exercise.
- For your furry friend, it is important to take the pain medications and the antibiotics to heal faster. Few pets may require low sedative and antianxiety medications.
- It is very important to keep the surgery area clean, and you should cover your dog’s stitches to prevent any infection.
- Always use a damp towel to clean that suture area and keep it clean. You should stop your dog from licking or scratching the wound. If you notice any swelling or new infection, then contact a veterinarian immediately.
- You can do some low intensity activities like sniffing games, massage, grooming, and other activities which are safe and less tiring.
- It is recommended to avoid the high intensity activities like running, jogging, playing fetch, swimming, bathing and others.
FAQs
Can I bathe my dog 7 days after neutering?
No, veterinarians do not recommend bathing your pup for 7 days after surgery. They usually ask to wait for 10 to 14 days after surgery. Early bathing can increase the risk of infection, and water will compromise the stitches and increases the chances of contamination.[2] It is better to consult a vet before doing any activity with your castrated pup.
How do you know when neuter is healed?
To check your dog’s neuter healing, it is not healed if you observe signals and symptoms like smell, redness, bleeding, swelling, or pus at the wound. It takes around 10 to 15 days for your wound to heal properly. Your pet should avoid licking or scratching on that area.
How long does it take for dog stitches to dissolve?
The time to dissolve stitches can depend up on the type of suture material used and the location of stitches. It can take around 1 to 4 months for these stitches to dissolve. Internal stitches take longer to heal as they are connected to organs or deep tissue.
What not to do after your dog gets neutered?
The things that your dog should not do after neutering surgery are running, jumping, licking or scratching that area. You should follow your vet advice and keep him calm and entertained.
To Conclude
To summarize, after neutering surgery, you can take your dog out for a walk whenever he is comfortable. But, it is recommended to wait for 10 to 14 days. You can do some light exercises with your dog like go for short walks, massage and sniffing games.
Walking is necessary to keep your dog’s mental and physical health stable. But, severe exercise like jumping and running should be avoided. It is advisable to timely visit the vet for checkup and follow their instructions. Start with walking your dog inside your house first and if you notice any abnormal symptoms then contact a vet immediately.
References:
- Why you should spay/neuter your pet. (n.d.). The Humane Society of the United States
- Wag. (n.d.). Clean a Dog After Neutering. WagWalking
Robert is the heart of Dog Needs Best, with his cheerful personality he is not only beloved by our team but also by dogs. He owns multiple dogs and knows ins and outs of them. Finding the perfect product is what he is best at!
