PLACE WATER DISH AT APPROPRIATE HEIGHT
First and foremost, make sure your dogs water bowl/dish is placed at the appropriate height — and no, this isnt the ground. The water bowl should be placed high enough so your dog can reach it without bending their neck, but not so high that your dog is forced to look upwards to reach it. Keeping the water dish at “head-height” will allow your dog to drink without straining their neck, which should encourage them to drink after surgery.
Why is My Dog Not Drinking Water After Surgery?
Dogs, just like humans, are administered anesthesia during surgery. This is done to make them unconscious during the painful procedure of the operation and make them feel relaxed while the operation is being performed. Unfortunately, although there has been substantial improvement in the anesthesia that is being administered to dogs, there are still side effects of the same. Some of the most common side-effects of anesthesia include slower reflexes, sluggish movement, fluctuation in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, and loss of hunger or thirst. Besides, although most dogs can handle the effects of anesthesia well enough, some may react to anesthesia and have some of the problems mentioned above.
Let’s look at the major reasons your dog is probably not drinking water after surgery.
Your Pet Dog is Bulky
Although dogs regain consciousness after a few hours of surgery, the fatigue and loss of appetite may linger for a substantial time period. This tendency is more visible in bigger or overweight dogs, as the fat in your digs body can hold on to the anesthesia for a longer period of time. So, if your dog is bulky or overweight, it may take more time to recover from the effect of anesthesia, and unless a dog has fully gained consciousness, it becomes difficult for it to eat or drink properly.