Surgery can be a frightening experience for your pet. Like people, pets need time to recuperate from surgery, which may include rest and specific diets that don’t upset their stomachs. How and what you feed them can help them get better and develop a healthier digestive system after surgery. Try the suggestions listed below, and if they are still not eating after 24 hours, consult your vet.
How to Feed Your Pet After Surgery
What should I feed my pet after surgery? How can I offer them the best solution? And how do I make him eat? Here are some practical ideas that will hopefully address your issues.
1. Warm Their Food
If your pet usually consumes dry kibble, adding warm water to its food can soften it and make it easier to eat, which is crucial for a pet with reduced stamina. You can add water and then microwave their food for a few seconds to enhance the smell and make it more pleasing to your dog. After surgery, Staten Island Animal Hospital veterinarians will most likely recommend soft food for dogs.
2. Prepare a Home Cooked Meal
If your dog isn’t feeling better after consuming more protein, try cooking him a special dish with equal parts cooked protein and a carbohydrate. For example, you can prepare a dish of boiled ground turkey with rice, pasta, or potatoes. Again, ensure that whatever you make isn’t too rich to ensure it doesn’t upset their already delicate digestive system.
3. Add Tasty Protein
If your dog doesn’t want to eat his regular kibble or canned food, you can add a bit of flavorful protein. This will not just stimulate their appetite but will also help in their body’s healing. Cooked eggs, shredded chicken (bones removed), or steamed ground turkey are all good additions.
Guarantee that the protein you add is not too rich; avoid heavy, fatty meats and fried foods. Similar to humans, anesthesia can make you feel uncomfortable, and rich foods and treats can also make you feel sick.
4. Hand-Feed Them
Never undervalue how much a little attention can help a pet get better. Get down on their level and carefully hand-feed them tiny bites of kibble, cooked chicken, hardboiled egg, and more. Slowly approach them and talk gently, offering lots of pets and words of encouragement. It’s essential to avoid pressuring or forcing them to eat because doing so may have the opposite result and make them even less interested in food.
The anesthesia can require up to a day to completely wear off, so always follow the veterinary surgery recuperation recommendations. There’s no need to be concerned if your dog goes a whole day without eating after surgery.
5. Try Baby Food
Although it sounds weird, feeding a tired, sore pet after surgery baby food may help. Its soft texture makes it easy to eat; no chewing is required. You can get pre-made baby food or make your own in a blender with their favorite carbs or vegetables and spoon-feed it to your pet. Always read the label to make sure that all ingredients are safe to feed your pet.
However, bear in mind that each dog and its dietary demands will differ, so follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for what to feed your pet after surgery. Visit the emergency animal hospital in Staten Island for more detailed information about post-surgery care.
Final Thoughts
Because every pet is different, be creative and try new things. If your dog throws up after surgery, ensure the food isn’t too rich, and try feeding a less portion at the next meal. While losing appetite is normal after surgery, talk to your vet if your pet hasn’t eaten anything after 24 hours.