Once you’ve decided that you don’t want your dog siring any puppies, neutering should be something you start thinking about very soon after.
Neutering will prevent unplanned pregnancies while simultaneously protecting male dogs from certain diseases related to their reproductive system. The procedure can also be used to curb certain unwanted behaviors such as mounting.
Long-term, neutering can significantly improve your pet’s quality of life. Short-term, you may encounter some unexpected changes while caring for your pet. Learn more about those potential changes by continuing with the rest of this article.
Why Does My Dog Keep Sitting after Getting Neutered?
If you’ve never cared for a male dog before, you need to know about the immediate effects that neutering can have on him.
Without that knowledge in hand, you may be caught off-guard by some of the strange behaviors that your pet is showing.
One particular post-neutering change you may notice in your dog concerns his sitting habits. Previously, your dog may have been a bundle of energy that followed you all over the place. The only way you could ever get him to sit still is if you issued a command.
During your first day back from the veterinary clinic, your dog may be sitting around all the time. It may not look like he has the energy to do anything. If he’s not sitting down, he may be lying down instead.
Such a big change like that can raise red flags. Thankfully, it’s likely not a major cause of concern.
Detailed below are some of the likely explanations for your dog’s increased propensity for sitting.
Your Dog Is Still Feeling the Effects of Anesthesia
Dogs must be put under using anesthesia before neutering can begin. Rousing him from his anesthesia-induced slumber does not mean he will be free from the effects of that drug right away. The anesthesia will likely linger in his system for a while so expect that to affect your dog’s behavior.
Side effects of anesthesia may include increased grogginess in dogs. The reason why your pet is sitting around so much could simply be because they are still experiencing the effects of the anesthesia.
Your dog may experience the effects of the anesthesia about 24 hours after they were originally put under. Once you’re past that mark, your dog may start to move around a bit more.
Neutering Took a Physical Toll on Your Dog
Neutering is considered a relatively minor surgical procedure. Veterinarians perform it all the time and the odds of anything unexpected happening during neutering are incredibly low.
That said, neutering is still a procedure that can take a physical toll on dogs. Your dog may feel a bit tired or weak in the hours immediately following the procedure. Because of that, you can expect him to sit or lie around more.
He is trying to build up his energy level again so you cannot really blame him for sitting or lying down more often.
Dogs generally recover from the physical toll exacted by neutering around 24 hours after the surgery. Young dogs tend to need more time. They may not return to normal until 48 hours have passed.
Your Dog Feels Lazy
It’s important to point out that dogs may like to sit more after neutering not just because of medication or the physical toll of the procedure. If your pet is still sitting around more often than he used to several days or even weeks after neutering, the change could be related to his sex drive.
Male dogs may be motivated to expend their energy looking for a mate. They may walk around and search in different places in search of a female dog who is similarly interested in breeding. Some male dogs are even known to get into fights over who gets to mate with a female dog nearby.
That changes after a dog is neutered. Once the effects of neutering have taken hold, your dog may lose his desire to look for a sexual partner. He may become lazier as a result.
In this case, you’ll have to intervene and give your dog an incentive to become more active again. Get them moving around more so they don’t pack on the pounds after neutering. Develop an exercise program and put your dog on it.
What to Do if My Dog Keeps Sitting after Getting Neutered?
The recent change in your dog’s activity level can be striking. It’s perfectly understandable if you’re still feeling a little bit concerned even after learning about the reasons dogs may become less active neutering.
So, what should you do if your dog has been sitting around more lately? Follow the steps detailed below so you can properly care for your post-op pet.
Leave Your Dog Alone
Your dog becoming less active after neutering is not necessarily a bad thing. Since his wounds are still fresh, there’s a chance that they could open up if your dog moves around too much.
Those wounds opening up will be very painful for your dog. You will also have to take him back to the veterinarian for additional treatment if that happens and no one wants that.
Allow your dog to rest and relax after neutering. Leave him alone if he’s sitting down because that means his wounds will be able to heal up properly.
Give Your Dog a Nice Place to Rest
Encourage your dog to rest up even more by cleaning his bed. Tidying up his bed will also prevent potential complications related to his wounds.
You should also allow your dog to stay in a room where they can relax better. If he is recovering during the summer, consider placing his bed in an air-conditioned room. That way, he can just lie down for a while without feeling uncomfortable.
Offer Some Food and Water
Some dogs may need some food and water before they can rest properly. Your dog may want that too, but don’t offer too much.
Offer smaller amounts of water and food relative to what you normally give so your pet can ease into drinking and eating. Hold off on giving him regular amounts of water and food until he has recovered a bit more.
Keep an Eye on Your Dog
Lastly, you just need to keep an eye on your dog during this time. He should gradually gain more energy as more time passes.
You should also check for bleeding and other signs that your dog’s wounds are bleeding. Keep closely monitoring your dog until you can bring him back to the vet. Most pet owners are asked to bring their neutered dogs back to the vet one week after surgery.