If you add a female puppy or dog to your family, one of the things that you should plan on doing is having your pet spayed. Spaying your pet will help ensure that she does not go into heat, thus preventing unwanted litters of puppies. Likewise, a dog that is spayed is less likely to experience uterine infections and cancers of the reproductive system. Pet spaying is a very safe and common procedure; you can drop your dog off at the veterinarian's office in the morning and pick her up in the afternoon. Use the following tips to help you care for your dog after she is spayed.

Prepare a Safe Place to Rest

Since spaying is a surgical procedure, general anesthesia will be given to your dog prior to the start of the surgery. This means that your dog may be quite groggy when you pick her up since it can take several hours for the anesthesia to metabolize and leave her system. Thus, your dog will need a safe and quiet place to rest when you arrive home. Make sure that you set up a comfortable resting spot for her away from other pets and children. Your dog will have a swifter recovery if she is able to get as much rest as possible.

Leave the Cone Collar On

In many cases, a veterinarian will place a cone collar on a newly spayed dog after surgery. A cone collar will help ensure that your dog is not able to lick or chew on the incision site. It is very important for you to keep the cone collar on your dog, even if she does not like it. If you take the cone collar off too early, it is possible for your dog to remove the sutures by chewing or cause an infection by licking the incision. 

Limit Activities

For the first several days after your dog's spaying surgery, it is best to limit her activities as much as possible. Doing so will help ensure that she gets the rest she needs so she can heal and prevent hurting the incision site. Keep walks short, and take your dog outside on a leash to use the bathroom. Limiting activities will help your dog heal faster so she can get back to her normal, active self. You can consult your dog's veterinarian to determine how long you should limit activity. 

To learn more about pet spaying, contact a veterinarian near you.