Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Surgery can be tough on a dog just like it is on any person. If your dog is having eye surgery, this is no exception to that difficulty. Your dog will need to be sedated and will be groggy afterward. They may have pain or discomfort and will need to be taken care of much more than usual. While your pup may typically be active and full of energy, this may not be the case immediately after surgery. These activities will help you care for your dog and keep them happy after eye surgery.
After a surgery, it is common for people to want to check in on you and your pup and see how everyone is doing. While this is very thoughtful, your dog will actually benefit most from quiet time at home. After eye surgery, your dog will need to rest and anything that may stimulate them or get them so excited that they want to run around is a bad idea. You really want to encourage rest and the best way to do this is to create a quiet and relaxing atmosphere for your pup. You could probably use a little down time yourself anyway!
While your dog may not feel like moving around too much after eye surgery, they will still need to be mentally stimulated to prevent boredom. Many of your dog's favorite go-to games may be off the table after surgery (you can't expect your dog to play their best game of fetch when they are having a tough time seeing the ball!) so try one of these easier options. All of these games are low key yet still fun for your pup to try. In fact, most of these games can be played laying down! Your pup can relax their body while enticing their mind with a fun new challenge.Â
After eye surgery, your dog's sense of smell may be better than it ever has been before. This is because when one sense is lacking, the other senses pick up the slack - how cool is that?! Now that your dog is equipped with a super sniffer, why not put this superior nose to work? Train your dog to learn certain smells and also new commands. This is an endless game as there are always new smells and objects to learn so even once your pup has made a full recovery, you can continue to play this game anytime you'd like!Â
After surgery, you want to keep your dog on the leash at all times. Even if you are just bringing your dog into your own backyard, keep them on the leash. You don't want your dog rubbing their eyes on the ground outside!
While your dog may not be ready for a long walk, they will definitely benefit from some fresh air. Bring your dog out in a doggy stroller or for a quick car ride with the windows rolled down just a little way. The sights and smells will certainly boost their spirits!
After your dog has eye surgery, it can be tough especially at first to find games for your dog to play. Your heart is probably aching to see your dog subdued after surgery so you want to do everything you can to make this time easy and fun. Keep your house cozy and quiet, play a few easy games with your dog and teach them a new skill using their amped up sense of smell. Your dog will be on the mend soon enough and the hardship of the surgery will be over. Then the real play can begin again!