Spinal Surgery Post-Op Care

Post-operative instructions for spinal surgery recovery in dogs & cats

Spinal surgery is a major procedure, and healing takes time. Spinal surgery recovery can take several weeks, and sometimes a few months, so the early days can feel stressful. Be patient with yourself and your pet as you both settle into a new routine.

This care handout walks you through what to do at home, including strict rest (crate rest), short potty breaks, walking support, urination and bowel movements, physical therapy, incision care, and warning signs to watch for.

Once your routine is established, many pets need about 30 minutes of hands-on care three times a day. Otherwise, the priority is rest.

Strict rest & confinement after spinal surgery

Spinal surgery involves removing a small portion of bone from the spine and can leave small holes in the discs. To support healing, it’s essential to minimize movement during the first weeks, as too much activity can lead to further disc herniation or even bone fractures. For this reason, strict rest and confinement are critically important early on.

Confinement means keeping your pet in a small crate, pen, or compact room (such as a laundry room). The space should be just large enough for your pet to stand comfortably and turn around, with room for a bed and water, and no access to furniture or climbing surfaces.

As a general guide:

For dogs:

  • For small dogs, about 3 feet by 4 feet

  • For large dogs, about 4 feet by 5 feet

For cats:

  • Smallest safe space that fits a bed, water, and a litter box

  • Enough room to stand comfortably and turn around

Most pets need a minimum of four weeks of rest to allow the bone to heal after surgery. After this initial period, your pet’s veterinary team will guide a gradual return to activity. Completing the entire recovery plan, even if your pet seems better sooner, helps reduce the risk of relapse or the need for a second surgery.

Potty breaks & safe handling

Your pet should remain confined at all times except for three short potty breaks each day. These should be brief trips outside, 5–10 minutes at most, then return your pet to the confined rest area.

If your pet has neck pain, use a harness instead of a neck collar for walks, and attach the leash to the harness.

For smaller pets, you may hold them while reading or watching TV, but you must maintain direct physical control at all times. If you need to leave, even for a brief moment, place your pet back in the crate or confined space.

For larger dogs, consider securing the harness to a stable piece of furniture (such as a desk) so you can maintain complete control, even in unexpected moments, like a visitor arriving at the door.

Do not allow your pet to sleep in your bed or to be unsupervised on furniture. Accidents can happen quickly, and falls can cause serious injury.

Assistive devices for walking support

Your vet may send your pet home with a sling to help with walking. If not, slings can be purchased at many major pet stores or online.

If your pet has difficulty walking with the front legs, consider a whole-body harness, such as this option from helpemup.com.

Urinating & defecating after spinal surgery

Spinal injuries can increase the risk of bladder infections, so watch for changes in the color or smell of your pet’s urine. If anything seems off, contact your veterinary team.

Some pets have difficulty fully emptying the bladder after a spinal injury. If this applies to your pet, your veterinary team will show you how to express the bladder.

It’s very important that your pet urinates at least once every 24 hours. If your pet hasn’t urinated in over 24 hours or if there’s constant urine dribbling, contact the hospital urgently.

It’s common for pets to have delayed bowel movements for several days after surgery. Skipped meals before and after surgery, along with pain medication, can slow digestion. In the first few days, it’s usually not concerning if your pet hasn’t had a bowel movement.

To help support bowel movements, you can add 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin per 10 pounds of body weight to each meal (for example, a 30-pound dog would receive 3 tablespoons of pumpkin).

If your pet hasn’t had a bowel movement by the fourth day after surgery, contact the hospital to discuss whether laxatives are appropriate.

Physical therapy & rehabilitation after spinal surgery

The right exercises depend on your pet’s individual level of function, and Remedy’s Neurology team will guide you on which exercises are appropriate.

Physical therapy should never cause pain. The goal is a calm, positive experience, so talk to your pet, use gentle touch, and offer treats during exercises. In general, sessions should happen two or three times each day.

For a list of recommended exercises, visit Remedy’s physical therapy exercises page.

Some pets do best with a more structured rehabilitation plan. If you’d like, you can schedule an appointment with a certified pet rehabilitation therapist. Let the Remedy team know if you’d like a referral. Many pets recover well with time and the exercises provided, but some pets, especially those with significant injuries or delayed recoveries, do best with a more supervised rehabilitation program.

Incision care, warning signs, & other things to watch for

During recovery, check your pet’s incision every day and email the Remedy team if you notice redness, swelling, or any fluid.

Seek urgent veterinary advice if your pet experiences any of the following:

  • Moderate-to-severe pain despite medications

  • Reduced ability to walk or move

  • Hasn’t urinated in over 24 hours

Recovery can take time, but you should see gradual progress. If your pet isn’t improving over several weeks, or if you’re concerned at any point that your pet is getting worse, let your vet know.

Spinal Surgery Recovery FAQs

  • Recovery often takes a few weeks and sometimes can last a few months. Strict rest is especially important in the first weeks.

  • Most pets need a minimum of four weeks of rest to allow bones to heal after surgery. Follow the recovery plan your veterinary team provides, even if your pet seems better sooner.

  • Keep potty breaks to three short trips per day, about 5–10 minutes at most, then return your pet to the confined rest area.

  • If your pet has neck pain, use a harness instead of a neck collar for walks, and attach the leash to the harness.

  • Your pet should urinate at least once every 24 hours. If your pet hasn’t urinated in more than 24 hours or there’s constant urine dribbling, contact your vet immediately.

  • Yes. It’s common for pets to go a few days without a bowel movement after surgery. To help, you can add 1 tablespoon of canned pumpkin per 10 pounds of body weight to each meal. If your pet hasn’t had a bowel movement by the fourth day after surgery, contact your vet to discuss next steps.

  • Your veterinary team will guide which exercises are right for your pet. Physical therapy should never cause pain. In general, exercises are done a couple of times each day, with gentle handling, calm encouragement, and treats when appropriate.

  • Check your pet’s incision every day. If it looks red, swollen, or is leaking any fluid, take a photo and email it to your vet right away.