Two weeks is a general rule of thumb
Generally speaking, you should give it about two weeks after a spay surgery before you let your dog play as she pleases. This, however, can be longer or shorter depending on how well your dog recovers from the surgery. The two week period coincides with the time when the stitches or staples need to be removed from the dog’s skin.
After bringing your dog home from the vet, restrict her activities for the next week to 10 days. Your dog shouldnt indulge in any real exercise for at least two weeks post-surgery. That means talking her out on short walks so she can relieve herself, not letting her loose in a fenced yard where she could run and rupture her incision. She might have to wear an Elizabethan collar — also known as the “cone of shame” — to prevent her from licking or biting at the stitches.
Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years. In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in “Horse News,” “Suburban Classic,” “Hoof Beats,” “Equine Journal” and other publications. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from New York University and an Associate of Arts from the American Academy of Dramatics Arts, New York City.
Although its one of the most common procedures performed on dogs, spay surgery is a big deal — the equivalent of a hysterectomy in a woman. Most women whove gone through such major abdominal surgery arent ready to run around like crazy a day or so after the operation, but thats not necessarily true of energetic female dogs. Its up to you to ensure your newly spayed dog doesnt overdo and recuperates safely.
How long does it take for a female dog to recover from being spayed?
Most spay/neuter skin incisions are fully healed within about 10–14 days, which coincides with the time that stitches or staples, if any, will need to be removed. Bathing and swimming. Don’t bathe your pet or let them swim until their stitches or staples have been removed and your veterinarian has cleared you to do so.
Puppy Spay and Neuter Aftercare and Exercise
Post-Spaying Care. After bringing your dog home from the vet, restrict her activities for the next week to 10 days. Your dog shouldn’t indulge in any real exercise for at least two weeks post-surgery.