Walking a dog after surgery: how, how long, and when to call the vet

How long after surgery can a dog go for a walk?

For the first days after surgery your dog only goes out briefly and on a lead, to pee and poo. VCA Animal Hospitals says most procedures call for 7 to 10 days of restricted activity; after orthopaedic surgery it takes much longer. The period that applies to your dog is in your vet's discharge instructions.

The big difference is what was operated on. After soft-tissue surgery, such as neutering, spaying or removing a lump, it's mainly the wound that has to heal. After orthopaedic surgery, for example on a torn cruciate ligament, bone has to heal, and VCA notes that takes far longer before it can take load again.

Other procedures, such as spinal or abdominal surgery or dental work under anaesthetic, each have their own rules. If your discharge letter says nothing about walking, call the clinic and ask, ideally before you get home.

How do you walk your dog in the first days after surgery?

Briefly, calmly and always on a lead, even in your own garden. The PDSA advises keeping walks to an absolute minimum until your vet says otherwise, and keeping your dog on a lead when he goes out to the toilet. Indoors, let him rest in a warm, quiet room.

• On a lead, even in the garden. Vet and rehabilitation specialist Marianne Dorn (The Rehab Vet) is clear: if your dog is on lead exercise only, he shouldn't roam free in the garden either. One cat or blackbird is enough for a sprint.
• No playing with other dogs, no fetch, no tug. VCA names rough play as something to avoid, including with the other pets at home.
• No stairs and no jumping. VCA advises keeping your dog on one floor where you can, and not letting him jump onto the sofa or bed.
• No swimming and no baths. Moisture can carry bacteria into the wound, VCA writes. That also means no sea, no canal and no puddles, however warm it is.
• Don't panic about poo. The PDSA says it's normal for a dog not to poo for a couple of days after surgery, because he was starved beforehand and the anaesthetic slows the gut. If it goes on longer, or he struggles to pee, call your vet.

How should you walk a dog that's recovering from surgery?

Slowly, on a harness, on a short familiar route, with a watch. Marianne Dorn (The Rehab Vet) advises letting a recovering dog walk rather than trot, a little slower than usual, and never for longer than the surgeon has advised. That way you stay in control of every step he takes.

1. 1Use a harness rather than a collar. Clip the lead to a well-fitting harness so you can steer and slow your dog without pulling on his neck (The Rehab Vet).
2. 2Keep the lead short and your dog at your side. A long line or retractable lead gives just enough slack for a jump or a burst of speed.
3. 3Pick a flat, quiet route. A quiet street beats a busy dog field where other dogs come bounding over to play.
4. 4Walk, don't trot. Many dogs break into a trot as soon as they're outside. The Rehab Vet gives a rule of thumb: next to a Labrador you walk slightly slower than usual, next to a small dog such as a Jack Russell much slower.
5. 5Time it and write it down. Then you know exactly how many minutes your dog can manage, and you can tell your vet at the check-up.
6. 6Only build up the way your vet says. Utrecht University's animal hospital, for example, uses a fixed build-up schedule after a TPLO. A dog who feels good is not a reason to get ahead of the schedule.
7. 7Watch for tiredness, on the walk and after it. Your dog should come home walking just as well as when he left. The Rehab Vet lists the signs: limping more as the walk goes on, moving lopsided, carrying his head lower and lower, hesitating or stopping more often, and pulling harder on the lead. If you see them, head home early, make the next walk a little shorter, and tell your vet if it keeps happening.

And at home?

A recovering dog gets bored quickly. A food puzzle or snuffle mat can help keep him calmly busy; the vet-reviewed site Preventive Vet suggests puzzle feeders as an outlet during rest. Put non-slip mats or rugs on smooth floors so he doesn't slide. Do check with your vet that food games suit your dog.

Should your dog wear the cone on walks?

Yes. VCA advises keeping the cone or recovery suit on all the time, so not taking it off for a walk. According to VCA it only takes a few seconds of chewing for a dog to remove his stitches. The PDSA gives seven to fourteen days of wear, depending on the type of stitches.

• Cone, inflatable collar or body suit. There are several options; after a keyhole spay, for example, Utrecht University's animal hospital sends dogs home in a protective shirt. Discuss with the clinic what suits your dog.
• A cone makes your dog wider than he thinks. Take doorways, bollards and kerbs slowly and give him time to get used to it.
• Check the wound a few times a day (PDSA). A clean wound with closed edges and skin that's normal or slightly reddish-pink is what you want to see, says VCA. Some bruising is normal.
• Don't clean it or put anything on it unless your vet has asked you to (PDSA).

When should you call the vet after your dog's surgery?

Call straight away if the wound changes, if your dog seems to be in pain, or if he's behaving differently from what you'd expect. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) puts it simply: get in touch about any sudden change in comfort, use of a leg or overall condition that worries you.

Out of hours, your own practice's emergency service is the place to call; the number is usually on their answerphone or website. Write it down before you need it.

Can someone else walk your dog while he recovers?

Yes, as long as they know exactly what your vet has prescribed and stick to it. Give a partner, neighbour or dog walker the same information you were given, and agree what happens if something catches their eye on the way. A recovering dog doesn't belong in a group of playing dogs.

• A photo or copy of the discharge letter, with how long and how often your dog may walk.
• The harness, the cone and which lead you use.
• The rules: on a lead, no playing with other dogs, no swimming, no stairs where they can be avoided.
• The list of signs above, and your vet's phone number.

A group walk isn't a good idea during recovery: running, playing and wrestling with other dogs is exactly what your vet wants to avoid. Wait until your vet lifts the restrictions. The difference between the two kinds of walk is in private vs group dog walks.

A private walk can fit once your vet allows calm walks of that length. With us that's one-on-one, 30 or 60 minutes: calm, on a lead, at the pace your vet allows, and always Dominic or Evika. We are not vets and not rehabilitation therapists. We don't provide medical care or do exercises; we walk to the instructions you got from your vet. If your dog is still only allowed a few minutes at a time, it's too early for a walk with us.

Recovering in the middle of summer? Read walking your dog in hot weather too. Hold off on the beach and swimming until your vet agrees; what's allowed in Wassenaar after that is in our dog beach guide. More health articles are under Health.

FAQ: walking your dog after surgery