Can Dogs Climb Stairs After Spay? + How to Comfort a Dog After Spaying

Spaying is an important process a female dog owner must go through, as it can avoid a number of issues in their pet, such as an unwanted pregnancy or possible infections.

 

To those who’ve never gone through the process, however, it can be a confusing and scary time as you may be unsure how to best take care of your dog afterward.

 

Dogs can’t voice their thoughts to us, so it’s up to us to learn as much as we can to make sure our pet is as comfortable as they can be.

 

When it comes to knowing if your dog is able to go up or down the stairs, the safest option is to wait a few days after the surgery. Too much movement could end up tearing your pet’s stitches and can then lead to many other issues.

Understanding how to best comfort your pet after they’re spared is crucial to being a responsible dog owner.

 

What is Spaying?

dog after being spayed

 

Having a general idea of what spaying is can set you up with the knowledge and understanding of where your dog might be feeling pain or discomfort.

 

Some may confuse spaying with neutering, and while both are used to achieve the same effect (making dogs infertile), they are two distinct operations.

 

Neutering removes a make dog’s testes while spaying removes a female dog’s reproductive organs, making it a far more invasive surgery with a more difficult recovery.

 

In an average operation, the dog is put under anesthesia so that they’re fully asleep.

And an incision is made under their belly button and going into their abdomen, where their uterus and ovaries are removed.

 

Spaying your dog is an important procedure as it can help your pet avoid dealing with later diseases, even cancer.

The surgery also helps to control to dog population and makes it so that your pet doesn’t go through an unwanted pregnancy.

 

Some dogs, depending on their weight, can be spayed as young as eight weeks old.

 

 

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What Are The Next Steps?

After the surgery, dogs will usually take thirty minutes or so to wake up and be able to move around.

 

Even then, they will be extremely lethargic and have trouble doing most things on their own, just like a regular person after a procedure.

 

Contrary to what some may first think, you shouldn’t pick up your dog after they’ve been spayed.

 

As when they’re being held, there’s the possibility that their stitches could tear, so it should be avoided if possible.

 

One should expect to help their dog into the car and should have a room prepared at home.

 

A room should be prepared with blankets, food, water, and anything else your dog may need to stay calm and relaxed for a day or two.

 

If there are other pets at home, it’s also generally a good idea to close off the room so your healing dog can rest without having to worry about other animals around them.

 

Pee pads being laid about is also a good idea, as taking them outside should be avoided and your pet may have trouble controlling their bladder anyways.

 

Physical Activity

dog in a playground

The room you leave your dog in should be on the ground floor, moving up and down the stairs right after the surgery can lead to a number of problems.

 

The extensive movement has the possibility of tearing your dog’s stitches, requiring an entire trip back to the vet, or possibly causing an infection from the open wound.

 

Some dogs may recover faster than others, or at least seem like they have.

 

In cases like this, it’s still smart to wait the recommended amount of time of a few days before you let your pet undergo any sort of physical stress, even walking.

 

After a few days have passed and your dog looks to be ready to move around again, then it’s time to start letting your pet ease back into it.

 

When moving up or down the stairs, an owner should be ready to catch your pet if they’re about to fall.

 

Walks should be slow and shouldn’t go too far away from home in case an accident happens and your pet needs to be rushed back to the vet.

 

Other pets and small children should still be kept away to avoid them hurting your dog, and them acting aggressively in response.

 

What to Feed Your Dog After Spaying?

It’s not uncommon for the anesthetics given to upset a dog’s stomach to the point where they may even refuse food or water, or vomit after ingesting them.

 

This is completely normal and shouldn’t be any major cause of concern, at least within the first 24 hours.

 

Unless ordered differently by your vet, giving your dog a half-meal after getting home is generally a safe idea and another full one at night as well.

 

Water, however, should always be at the ready for your dog, even if they don’t seem to care about it.

 

There isn’t any sort of special food you need to feed your dog after the surgery, their normal meal should be just fine, it’s how much you feed them that’s the important aspect.

 

Vomiting is natural and to be expected almost, but too much could cause other issues in the dog’s throat.

 

Takeaway

Spaying is a scary scenario to put your dog through, especially if it’s the first time you’re ever doing it.

 

However, it’s an important procedure to go through as it helps prevent a plethora of situations that will only end up hurting your dog more.

 

The best way to learn about what you don’t know is to consult your vet and find out how to make your pet as comfortable as it can be post-op.

 

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Russel

A pet owner who loves to share useful facts and information about a variety of animals.