Top Activities For Dogs After Dental Surgery

Introduction

If your pup has recently had dental surgery, then you know that the road to recovery can be long and also a little bit tedious. To make your dog feel better sooner, it is important to keep their spirits up by setting up fun activities that they are able to do despite just having surgery. After dental surgery, their mouths are most likely quite sore so it is important to keep this in mind when planning games and fun things to do with your pup. Start with these ideas and then come up with a few of your own!

Make New Food

Most Popular

1 Vote

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

45 min

Items needed

Dog Bowl

Oven and Stove

Dog Friendly Ingredients

Pots and Pans

Activity description

While your go to dog food may be the standard hard dog kibble, this may not be an option for your pup after they have dental surgery. Your dog may need to be on a diet of soft foods or even a liquid diet for a little while. However, this doesn't mean that your dog should be eating bad tasting, no flavor meals. You should give your pup some good, homemade food to help them feel better! Cooking for your dog after dental surgery can be fun and very rewarding not only for your pup but for you as well. You will feel great knowing that you made your dog a flavorful, nutritious meal that they can enjoy despite having a sore mouth.

Step

1

Research recipes

Ask your vet what human foods are good for dogs and what types of food are the most nutritious. Then, look at the list and eliminate which foods may be too hard to chew for your dog. However, keep in mind that you can puree even the toughest foods to make them a nice texture for your dog's recovering mouth.

Step

2

Recipe search

Think about which foods on the list you have compiled are ones which your pup would enjoy. Is your dog is a chicken lover or a big fan of peanut butter? Whatever the case, search for recipes which revolve around dog-safe ingredients and are directed toward dogs. There are many websites which have tons of homemade dog food recipes that you can look at!

Step

3

Cook and create

Get in the kitchen and get cooking! Make a few different dishes and see which one your pup goes crazy for. You can also make large batches of foods, portion them and freeze them so whenever your pup is ready to eat, you can just pull out a freezer pouch and give them a homemade meal. Once your dog recovers from their dental surgery, they may want you to continue with these gourmet meals!

New Toys

Popular

1 Vote

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

20 min

Items needed

Soft Toys

Activity description

After dental surgery, your dog's old toys may not be suitable for them anymore. Hard things like bones, tough balls or rubber chewy toys may be toys of the past. But guess what that means? Time to go shopping for your pooch! You do not need to buy over the top, fancy toys and you can even choose to make your own toys for your dog. Just keep in mind when you are shopping or creating, the toys need to be soft while also super fun. Not only will a new toy be easy on your dog's tender mouth but a new toy will also boost their spirits!

Step

1

Shop around

Go online to shop around for the best toys for a dog after dental surgery. Most sites will suggest soft, plush toys for you to choose from. These are easy on your dog's mouth while still being fun to toss around. You can also look for toys like a suction cup dog popsicle toy which sticks to the floor and you can fill with frozen, dog friendly food to sooth your dog's mouth. Your pup won't even have to get up from the floor!

Step

2

Make a toy

If you aren't too keen on spending a lot of money (or any money) on new dogs toy right now, look up ways to make dog toys from things you have at home. You can braid old towels or t-shirts to make a soft rope toy or fill an old sock with some stuffing for a make shift plush toy. The possibilities are endless!

Step

3

Play time

Introduce your dog to their new toy. You want to do this in a relaxed yet still excited manner. You do not want our dog to get too hyper as they are still recovering from dental surgery but you do want them to know it is play time. Toss around the new toy gently and then let your dog take it away!

Extra Attention

Least Popular

1 Vote

Any Day

Free

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Treats

Blankets

Pillows

Activity description

After dental surgery, your dog will need extra attention and love. There are many ways in which you can do this that are not strictly just cuddling your dog on the couch (although that is perfectly okay as well!). Keep in mind that any extra activities you are engaging in with your dog should be taken at a slow and relaxed pace. Even if your pup seems ready to go, they are still recovering from surgery after all. A long run in the park may be out of the question but a slow walk around the neighborhood may be just what your dog needs

Step

1

Outdoor exploration

If your dog is seeming antsy or eager to get outside, take them! Keep your dog on a leash and bring them for a walk around town or just around your backyard. After surgery, it is important to keep your dog on the leash and 100% in your control. You don't want them to injure themselves running around or rubbing their mouth on the ground as dogs like to do.

Step

2

Grooming love

Give your dog one on one attention by grooming them. Take time to brush your dog thoroughly and talk to them the whole time. This soothing activity will put your pup at peace and let them know that you are there for them in their time of recovery. And, you will also end up with a soft, well brushed dog!

Step

3

Watchful friends

Don't leave your dog alone after surgery. Take some time off from work or arrange for a family member or friend to come over to be with your dog. Not only is this important for your dog's health (you don't want them being rambunctious when you're not around and disrupt their recovering mouth) but it will make them feel comforted by always having someone nearby.

More Fun Ideas...

Brush Those Teeth

After dental surgery, you may realize more than ever the importance of your dog's dental hygiene. Make a game out of brushing your dog's teeth every day.

Bone Time

Once your dog's dental surgery has healed, introduce bone time where you hold one end of your dogs bone and they chew on the other side. This chewing will help clean your dog's teeth and hopefully prevent any future surgeries.

Conclusion

Dental surgery is not something that is easy for you or your dog. As with any surgery, it is best to take it slow with the activities and reassess your normal dog games. Making some nice soft foods, getting new soft toys and giving your dog some extra love are all things that will help your pup recover and remain positive in the process. Dental surgery is no barking matter and may result in a permanent or temporary life change for you and your pup. Move forward with fun activities and games that cater to your dog's new needs.