Spaying and neutering are procedures that can help keep your pets healthy as they age. The aforementioned procedures can lower their chances of developing certain conditions that negatively impact their quality of life.
If you don’t intend to breed your pet dog, spaying or neutering them when they reach the appropriate age is a good move. However, you shouldn’t take your dog in for surgery without getting yourself ready first.
Your dog will need some time to recover after the procedure. During that time, they will have to adjust their habits and so will you. To be more specific, you need to monitor how your dog moves after they undergo surgery.
In this article, we will discuss how dogs should move around after neutering or spaying. Read on so you have a better idea of how to care for your recovering pet.
Can a Dog Climb Stairs after Neutering or Spaying?
Dogs should not move around much after undergoing surgery. But how much should their movements be restricted? Is climbing stairs off-limits for them during that time?
The answers to those questions will depend on how far along your dog is in the recovery process.
If we’re talking no more than three days after surgery, then climbing stairs is a no-no.
It’s too risky to have your dog climb the stairs since they are stretching their body out to reach the steps. Bad things can happen if a dog who recently underwent surgery is moving in that manner.
Too much movement can cause the sutures to break down. Once that happens, your dog’s internal organs may become exposed.
Your dog is still at great risk even if their sutures hold. The incision may become irritated and swell up because of how much your dog is moving around. It could also get infected and you absolutely do not want that.
Excessive movement can also slow down the recovery process. Your dog may still feel the effects of the wound even weeks after the surgery because they moved around too much.
Monitor your dog closely throughout this time. If it looks like they are in pain, you should check on them immediately. The incision may have opened up earlier and you may not have noticed it.
When Can My Dog Go Up Stairs after Neutering or Spaying?
Dogs don’t often like it when you bar them from going to certain places. That’s especially true if you’re restricting them from heading upstairs after they’ve been up there many times before.
Still, you have to stop your dog from climbing the stairs. You have to protect them from themselves.
Recovery times vary among dogs. Some only need a few days to recover before they’re back to normal. Other dogs need a lot of time to recover.
At a minimum, you should wait at least four days before you allow your dog to walk up and down the stairs again. If you can extend their recovery period to a week or 10 days, then that would be even better.
Generally speaking, you want your dog to take it easy for as long as possible.
Examining the point of the incision should let you know where your dog is in their recovery journey.
Taking your dog to the veterinarian so they can check how your dog is recovering is also worth your time. Just remember to keep your dog calm during that trip because their wound could open up otherwise.
Can I Carry My Dog after Neutering or Spaying?
Many of us have established routines with our pets. The routine may include eating times, walk schedules, and time allotted for sleeping.
If your dog has gotten used to sleeping upstairs with you in your bedroom, staying downstairs at night will be a big change for them. It’s not the type of change they may like as well.
Understandably, you don’t want your dog feeling like you forgot about your shared routine. Then again, sleeping downstairs may also not be an option for you.
So, can you resolve the issue by carrying your dog up the stairs? That depends on different factors.
Time Elapsed Since the Surgery
Carrying your dog up the stairs the same day they got neutered or spayed is risky. The wound is still fresh and it can open up easily. You have to be extra careful if you’re carrying them upstairs right away.
After a few days, carrying your pet upstairs is not quite as risky.
The Size of Your Dog
How big is your dog? Can you carry them easily? You must consider those questions first before carrying your pet upstairs.
Don’t even try to carry your post-op dog if they’re too heavy. You will just struggle with their weight. The incision may open up accidentally if your dog slips from your grasp.
Your Dog’s Behavior
Carrying is not a common experience for all dogs.
If you carried your dog often before they underwent surgery, they will not make a fuss when you carry them now. They will stay well behaved in your arms so bringing them upstairs won’t be an issue.
Other dogs may react differently to being carried. They may not like it.
Don’t carry your pet by force because they’ll just wriggle around in your arms and probably open up their wound. Let them stay downstairs for now and just wait for them to recover.
The Size of Your Staircase
Lastly, consider the size of your staircase before carrying your dog. The long walk upstairs may be too difficult with a big dog in your arms. Avoid potential accidents by keeping your dog’s paws firmly on the ground.
How Do I Get My Dog to Go Up and Down Stairs after Surgery?
After enough time has passed, your neutered or spayed dog can freely move up and down the stairs again. Getting them to use the stairs again should not be an issue if they already did so previously.
Head to the stairs and call your pet over. Make your way up the stairs and order them to follow you. They will likely be glad to follow you upstairs.
If you notice that your dog is hesitant to use the stairs, you can try training them again. Grab some treats and use them to lure your dog up the stairs. Reward them whenever they take a step forward.
You can also try sitting a few steps ahead of where your dog is. Motion for them to come over so they continue climbing the stairs. Encourage your dog by clapping for them and giving them more treats.
It may also take some time before your dog can climb the full flight of stairs. Allow them to climb at their preferred pace.
If they want to stop after making some progress, that is perfectly fine. The two of you can try climbing more stairs another time.