Post-Vet Recovery: What Actually Helps Your Pooch Bounce Back
If you've just brought your dog home from the vet, it sucks, we know. That drive back is honestly one of the worst, especially if they are still dopy and not 100% with it, wobbly on their feet and looking at you like "What is happening". We've been there, and recently too, so we get it.
A lot of Get Well boxes are sent out, and this is so cool, they deserve a tail - wag in these tough times - a surgery, or a scary diagnosis, or just a rough week. So I wanted to write down a few things that seem to actually help.
First up, listen to your vet
Anything below is meant to sit alongside whatever your vet said, not replace it. If they said no walks for a week, no walks. If there's medication, don't skip it. Recovery is meant to be boring.
How to tell they're getting better
You'll probably see appetite coming back a bit at a time. Maybe a small tail wag when you walk in. Normal wees and poos. Sleeping deeply. A bit of curiosity coming back.
If none of that is happening after a few days, or they seem to be going backwards, ring the vet. Don't wait it out. If something feels off, it probably is.
A quiet warm spot
Sounds obvious but people forget. If they usually sleep upstairs and now can't manage the stairs, move them downstairs. Somewhere warm and quiet where they can still see you. They need to know you are there and feel safe during recovery.
Food
Their appetite is going to be off for a bit. Anaesthetic does that, and so does just feeling awful. Try warming their food a little, small amounts at a time. A bit of poached chicken or bone broth spooned over the top usually gets them going again.
Once they're eating properly you can slowly bring back the treats.
Coat, paws and skin
Recovery does weird things to their body. Dry skin, cracked paws, a dull coat. Leave the actual stitches or wounds alone (that's the vet's department) but a gentle brush and a bit of healing balm on the rough spots really does help them feel a bit more themselves.
Being there
Look, I don't want to sound woo, but dogs really do pick up on your energy. Soft voices. Sitting on the floor with them for a bit. Not fussing, just being nearby. It matters. The yare so appreciative of that love and care during the first little while of recovery.
A little something when they're ready
Not straight away. Wait until they're a bit brighter. Then a new plush, or a really nice treat, or a wrapped box to open together on the couch. Something that feels like a good thing after a rough patch.
Why people send Get Well boxes
Most of the boxes we send are actually to someone else. A friend, a sister, a mum. Someone whose dog has just been through it. The box is for the dog, sure. But honestly it's for the human too. It's a way of saying "I know this is really hard and I'm thinking of you."
What's in ours:
🐾 A soft plush toy for cuddles
🐾 Gentle NZ made treats
🐾 Healing balms
🐾 Soothing and calming sprays
🐾 A hand written card
One last thing
Every dog is different. Some bounce back in a few days, others take weeks. Both are normal.
Your only job is to be around and keep them comfy. Theirs is to rest.
They'll get there. Bit slower for a while maybe, but you'll notice the moment they start being themselves again.
Best feeling in the world honestly 🐾
Sending a Get Well box? Shop the Get Well collection
Made for the pooches going through it.