Physical activity is essential for your pup to stay fit, healthy, and happy. But you might be wondering if it’s good and safe to exercise a dog after spaying or neutering. So let’s see what activities you can do together during the recovery time.
Can You Exercise A Dog After Spay/Neuter Surgery?
Veterinarians generally put dogs under strict exercise restrictions after being spayed or neutered. They have to heal and recover from their surgery. It’s not safe to exercise a dog after spaying or neutering because it could result in post-surgical problems. So you should follow your veterinarian’s instructions.
On the other hand, moderate physical activity might actually be good for your dog after surgery. Gentle exercise such as light and short walks shouldn’t interfere with the healing and recovery. Besides that, mental stimulation is another way to keep a dog busy and healthy after spaying or neutering.
So this type of surgery might not restrict your dog from all forms of exercise. As long as you keep it safe and follow your vet’s recommendations, everything should be fine. But how long does it take for a dog to recover after being spayed or neutered?
How Soon After Spaying/Neutering Can A Dog Exercise?
During the first 24 hours following the surgery, your dog should rest and not exercise. After a day or two, a spayed or neutered pet might be ready to re-engage in low-impact physical activity if it’s light and controlled. Your dog should recover and be able to exercise again two weeks after spaying or neutering.
This recovery time is a rule of thumb I found in this article from the Blue Valley Animal Hospital blog. But every dog and situation is different, so when to exercise again will vary from one case to another. The type of operation, dog’s age, health, and many other details will come into play.
That’s why the instructions of a veterinarian will give you more accurate and personalized advice. Before exercising your dog after being spayed or neutered, you should always check with a professional to know if it’s OK and safe.
What Happens If Your Dog Is Too Active After Spay/Neuter Surgery?
Too much or vigorous exercise after spaying or neutering can result in post-surgical problems. If your dog is too active during the recovery period, it might cause stitches to fail, bleeding, and pain. So exercise can interfere with the healing process and make the dog suffer after being spayed or neutered.
That’s why it’s essential to restrict and monitor it. As a dog owner, it’s your responsibility to care for your pet’s well-being and health. But resting and staying inactive all day long isn’t realistic nor fun for dogs. So you have to find ways to exercise your pup safely after surgery.
How To Exercise A Dog After Spaying/Neutering?
After being spayed or neutered, your dog might be allowed to do a little bit of low-impact exercise. It can include gentle and short walks on a leash, controlled play in the backyard, and mental stimulation. Any activity that won’t cause your dog pain or the stitches to rip open early is good after spaying or neutering.
Talking with your veterinarian will also give you a better idea of what’s safe or not. But it’s always a good idea to keep your dog from jumping, running, or doing any other intense physical activity. So you must be able to control him while exercising after the surgery.
That’s why it’s essential to walk your freshly spayed or neutered dog on a leash. When it comes to playtime, try not to get over-excited and avoid physically demanding activities. Besides that, mental stimulation is another element you shouldn’t neglect.
Now let’s answer some common questions about the ways to exercise a dog after spaying or neutering. It will help to keep your dog healthy, fit, and happy without affecting the healing or recovery process.
Dog Walking After Spaying/Neutering!
Can Your Dog Go On Walks After Being Spayed/Neutered?
You can’t go on walks with your dog right after spaying or neutering. But you can start walking together before the end of the recovery period if you do it properly and allow enough rest after the surgery. Everything should be fine, as long as your dog is on a leash and the walks are gentle and short.
How Soon Can You Walk Your Dog After Spaying/Neutering?
It’s generally not recommended to walk your dog in the first 24 to 48 hours following the surgery. So you should wait around two or three days before going on light and short walks together. You and your dog might be able to get back to a regular walking routine between 10 and 14 days after spaying or neutering.
Dog Playing After Spaying/Neutering!
What If Your Dog Wants To Play After Being Spayed/Neutered?
You should restrict your dog as much as possible from playing after spaying or neutering, especially if it involves vigorous physical activity. However, there are ways to play without affecting the healing and recovery. You can enjoy brain games, mentally stimulating toys, and low-impact activities.
Dog Jumping After Spaying/Neutering!
How Long After Being Spayed/Neutered Can Your Dog Jump?
A dog that jumps after being spayed or neutered can lead to failing sutures, an opened wound, pain, and other healing problems. So you should restrict jumping as much as possible during the 14 days following the surgery. However, some dogs will take more time to recover and be ready to jump again safely.
List Of Dos & Don’t | Exercising A Dog After Spaying/Neutering!
With all the information above, it can be complicated to figure out what you can or can’t do with your dog after spay or neuter surgery. The best way to know is to ask your vet. But here are some guidelines to give you an idea of the activities you can enjoy during this period.
Dos
- Light & Short Walks. (On-Leash)
- Moderate & Controlled Playtime In The Backyard.
- Gentle Physical Activity.
- Low-Impact Dog Training. (Obedience & Tricks)
- Play With Mentally Stimulating Toys. (Puzzle, Stuffed Kong, etc.)
- Massage Your Dog.
- Nose Games.
Don’ts
- Running.
- Jumping.
- Climbing.
- Playing.
- Intense or High-Impact Physical Activity.
- Too Much Exercise.
Spaying VS Neutering | Exercise Restrictions Differences!
How and when you can exercise your dog after surgery will depend on the type of operation. Spaying and neutering are similar concepts, but they are different. Thus, exercise restrictions that come with it might not be the same. Females get spayed while males get neutered.
A spay is generally longer to heal and recover from because it’s internal. On the other hand, neutering requires less rest and time before getting back to a normal routine. So you have to consider that when exercising your dog after surgery.
Exercising After Neutering – Male Dogs
In general, males will take between 10 and 14 days to recover and heal from neutering. Therefore, you should restrict physical activity during the 1 or 2 weeks following the surgery. After that, a male dog should be ready to exercise again and go back to normal.
Exercising After Spaying – Female Dogs
Females will take between 10 and 14 days for the skin incision to heal after spay. However, the inner part of the abdomen can take longer to recover from the surgery. So you should wait between 2 and 4 weeks to exercise your female dog after spaying. It will give her enough time to heal fully internally.
When Can You Exercise Your Dog After Spaying/Neutering?
Apart from gender, your dog’s age, size, and health can also influence how long it will take to recover and heal from the surgery. That’s why it’s essential to talk with your veterinarian and follow his instructions. He should help you find when your dog can exercise after being spayed or neutered.
How To Get Back To Exercising After Surgery?
Even if your dog has healed and recovered totally from spaying or neutering, be careful on the first days of exercise. It’s better to start out slow and gradually improve. A short period of inactivity will affect your dog’s fitness and shape. So you can begin with moderate physical activity such as walking and free playtime.
After a few days of getting back to an active lifestyle, your dog should be ready for more vigorous exercise. Just don’t start with a long run or anything else too intense. Otherwise, you will probably injure or hurt your spayed or neutered dog.
Last Thoughts About Exercising Your Dog After Spaying/Neutering!
Finally, veterinarians recommend putting dogs under strict exercise restrictions after surgical sterilization. The recovery and healing process for this type of operation generally lasts between 10 and 14 days or more for spayed females. During the first 24 to 48 hours following the surgery, a dog shouldn’t exercise.
Too much or vigorous physical activity such as running, jumping, and playing can result in post-surgical problems. But after one or two days of rest, your dog should be able to do gentle and low-impact exercise. Mental stimulation can also compensate for inactivity.
So now it’s time to care for your freshly spayed or neutered dog. Just make sure with your veterinarian that what you plan to do is appropriate and safe. You can also look for signs of fatigue or pain in your dog.
Let’s Exercise Your Spayed/Neutered Dog!
Disclaimer: This Is Not Medical Advice!
All the information you find in this article is not medical advice. My goal is to educate dog owners and help them keep their dogs active and healthy. But every dog is different, and the information I share in this article is general. Please consult a veterinarian or pet care professional for personalized medical advice.