How to Care for Your Dog or Cat After Dental Surgery?

Caring for your pet after dental surgery may range from minimal requirements or care may have detailed instructions. The level of care needed is dependent on the extent of oral surgery that occurred.

Helpful Ways to Care for Your Pet After Dental Surgery

For a smooth recovery, here are some tips for both dogs and cats:

  1. Follow post-surgery instructions provided by your primary care veterinarian or Montana Pet Dentistry. After surgery care instructions are tailored to your pet’s specific needs. 
    • It is advised to read instructions thoroughly before leaving your pet, as well as re-reading them at home.
    • Instructions may include activity restriction, dietary changes, and medication administration. Understanding how to administer the medication and when to administer medications is important to minimize stress and adverse effects.
  2. Pain Management:
    • Pain medications may have been prescribed. Administered as directed to minimize any post-surgical discomfort.
    • A local nerve block may have been administered, leaving the mouth numb for a few to several hours. This typically does not appreciably affect the ability to eat. However, hand-feeding may be helpful if your dog or cat seems to be having difficulty picking up food.  This is more important if oral surgery has been completed at the front area of the mouth, which is used to prehend food.
  3. Soft or Wet Food: This is typically recommended as it is easier to eat after oral surgery. Kibble can be soaked in a small amount of warm water for approximately 20 minutes. Once it is soft and mushy, it is ready to be served! A small amount of canned food or pet-formulated broth can be added to increase the palatability of food. Some owners have found that small pieces of rotisserie chicken are very well received after surgery.
    • Food that is slightly warm will be more enticing than cold food. If food has been warmed in the microwave, please mix it well so that there are not any hot pockets that may cause a mouth burn.
    • Gerber stage 2 chicken and chicken gravy baby food is also well received after surgery to enhance appetite
  4. Monitor for Complications: Keep an eye on the pet for any signs of complications, such as excessive swelling, heavy bleeding, or refusal to eat.  A small amount of blood-tinged saliva can be normal after dental extractions. Your dog or cat may seem a bit wobbly for the first 24 hours after anesthesia. This can be normal. Please reach out if any behavior is concerning.
    • Some dogs and cats may not want to eat much the evening after oral surgery. This is not a cause for significant alarm. If they are reluctant to eat by the next morning, please reach out to your veterinary health care team to discuss if intervention is needed.
    • Intravenous fluids are given during surgery. Decreased water consumption is common for the first 24 hours after a procedure.
  5. Limit Exercise: Limit your dog’s physical activity to aid in the healing process. This is similar to when we (humans) have surgery. Rest is an integral part of healing!
    • Felines typically do not need to be restricted as they are adept at self-regulation.

Stress-Free Environment

Provide a comfortable and stress-free environment for your pet after dental surgery to rest and recover. Avoid bright lights and loud noises for the first evening. Provide a safe space for your pet to recover with nearby resources, such as water and blankets. Anesthesia may cause feelings of chilliness in many species.  Snuggles, TLC, a cozy nest, and snacks can make recovery a relaxing experience.

Final Thoughts

It is important to follow up with any post-surgery appointments to monitor your pet’s healing. A complimentary post-surgical appointment is commonly offered.

Oral surgery may seem like a daunting experience. However, with open communication, defined expectations, and reaching out when there are concerns, it often is a smooth experience. At Montana Pet Dentistry and Oral Surgery, oral health is our passion. We want to help you help your furry companion!

 

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (01/17/2025) Photo by Alexandru Zdrobău on Unsplash