Some of our readers ask us about post neutering care questions such as: “can my dog walk up stairs after being neutered?”. A newly neutered dog should take good rest for the first few days and shouldn’t run, jump, or move up and down the stairs.
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After a spaying or neutering operation, the simple thing to remember is to limit its movements for a few days. If they are not allowed to walk, there is no way that you should let them climb the stairs.
Thus, your dog shouldn’t walk upstairs for at least 10 to 14 days after being neutered. It is the dog owner’s responsibility to keep an eye on their dog so he doesn’t jump around post-surgery and get the rest he deserves before he gets back to normalcy again. If you are willing to learn more on the subject, this article will be a perfect guide for you.
Can My Dog Go Upstairs After Neutering?
On the first day no, but after about two weeks, you should be able to do it.
Dogs shouldn’t be allowed to run or jump after being neutered for the first 10-14 days; the rule also implies walking upstairs as well as coming down. So, in the simple sense, your dog should only rest for the first few days post-surgery.
However, it also depends on the speed of recovery of the dog. For instance, if it has been only three days since your dog had his surgery, walking up and down the stairs is a strict no!
However, if more than 15 days have passed already, you can slowly allow him to walk upstairs. It is recommended to put him on a leash to control his walk and help him move slowly.
What Can Happen if You Take Your Dog Up Stairs?
His sutures can break, and there can be internal bleeding.
Well, firstly, too much movement after neutering can cause the sutures to break down, and it means that your dog’s internal organs will be exposed once again.
Secondly, even if the sutures do not break down, they can still cause trouble to your pup. The incision can lead to swelling if he moves around a lot after surgery, and it can also irritate the area where surgery has taken place.
If your dog moves around too much immediately after surgery, it can also lead to a delay in the entire recovery process.
In many cases, walking up and down the stairs can also cause pain to the dog. So, it is important to keep an eye on your pup after surgery to avoid unwanted movements, and in case the incision opens, take him to the vet immediately.
After How Long Can My Dog Walk Upstairs After Being Neutered?
At least a week after the surgery.
We would usually advise you to let your dog rest completely for the first week. After this long rest period, we suggest you take him out in the garden for gentle exercises – this should continue for a week.
Once a week is passed, you can help your dog walk around the house or go out for walks, but you must remember to leash them to control their movements.
The above activities should take about one to two weeks, after which it is safe for your dog to run, jump, or even walk upstairs. Most dogs start walking upstairs within a week of their surgery, which also works in most cases, but is strictly a no-no!
Remember, prevention is better than cure, so even if it seems alright to let your dog walk upstairs after surgery, you should wait for at least a week before you let them.
It is even better if you take your dog to the vet after a week to see if everything is well with him; ask your vet whether your furry friend can walk upstairs, and once he approves, go ahead with it.
On the other hand, if your dog cannot walk comfortably or climb the stairs after two weeks, he may be in pain, and the vet should be consulted.
When Can My Dog Go Back to Daycare After Being Neutered?
Typically after a month or so.
It depends on the healing or recovery process of your dog. In general, you can take him to daycare as soon as you feel that he is back to being his normal self.
However, people are advised to take at least ten days post-surgery to send their furry friend back to daycare. If you wonder what should be the best time for your dog to go back to daycare after neutering or spaying, you should consult your vet.
Once a clean bill of health is handed to you by your vet, you can discuss with them the timeline of your dog’s possible recovery and when you can send them back to daycare.
You must also talk to your daycare service since many of them ask for written consent from the vet about taking the dog in after neutering. Many daycare services also have a policy of keeping neutered or spayed dogs away for a definite number of days despite receiving the vet’s consent.
Generally, if your dog is young and healthy and has no visible complications after surgery, you can send him to daycare after ten days.
Precautions to take after spaying or neutering your dog
To keep your dog healthy during the recovery process, you can follow some of the instructions mentioned below –
- Keep your pup in a confined area or small space on the first day.
- Put a limit on jumping, walking, moving upstairs for at least 10 to 14 days post-surgery.
- Do not wash off the blue adhesive-like material over the incision. It is used to keep the incision intact and will come off on its own in a few days.
- Just like the blue-glue-like material, the stitches will dissolve over time as well, as long as you keep it dry and, thus, away from water.
- Please do not allow your pet to move, walk, swim, jump, etc., for at least a week, or take your vet’s advice before letting them do any of these activities.
- Check your puppy’s incision daily until it heals. If you see swelling or your dog licking the area more than usual, consult a vet immediately.
You can research here to learn further about your dog’s safety instructions after a neutering procedure.
A Few Final Words
Neutering your dog is safe. Your pup will be healthy and happy after a few days of the surgery, but it is important to keep an eye on his incision until it’s healed.
It is only a matter of two weeks before your furry friend walks up and down the stairs again and life with your pup gets back to normal. Thank you for reading the article, we hope we have covered all the salient points, and if you have more questions you can reach out to us through the comments section below.
You can read more about common things related to neutering such as difficulty in pooping and understanding post-surgery care as well as how and when to bathe.