Dog Crate Rest: Recovery Dos and Don’ts

Putting the words ‘dog crate rest’ together is like saying ‘kid sugar nap’ in the same sentence. They simply don’t go. Not for most dogs anyway, and especially not beyond a few hours. But if your dog’s been injured, sick or had surgery these unlikely concepts must meld together for a significant length of time to achieve a full recovery.

That said, as a superpower dog mum or dad, there are ways to work with this rather hairy situation.

From getting the crate set up right, to troubleshooting with your vet. And of course, ways to keep your pup’s senses engaged while limiting their movement.

When is dog crate rest necessary?

Our perky pups don’t understand the concept of rest. But in some instances they must do it anyway. For example, dog crate rest is necessary after surgery, accident and illness.

Post operative damage from over-exertion could cause complications that are just as hard to care for as the initial condition. This is particularly important to be careful of after surgery. It presents them, but also you, with a big challenge.

Here are some examples of when dog crate rest is needed:

Surgery	Orthopaedic surgery is often necessary for treatment of musculoskeletal system conditions. These include (but aren’t limited to) conditions like hip dysplasia in dogs, arthritis in dogs and IVDD in Dachshunds and other breeds.
Desexing	Another common surgery is to neuter or spay a dog to avoid indiscriminate breeding. Pets need to be still for up to two weeks following surgery to ensure stitches stay in place and surgical wounds heal the way they should.
Accident	Of course dog crate rest can also be necessary for convalescence after accidental wounds are treated. Broken bones and infected dog bites all require TLC and usually very little movement for full recovery. Read about what to do if a dog bites another dog and possible ways to prevent this from happening.
Illness	Then there are times when pooch just isn’t feeling well and needs some rest. This is probably the easiest of all as your pup won’t really want to be active until they’re feeling better.

10 crate rest dos and don’ts

As you can see there are oodles of reasons your dog may be on dog crate rest. Thankfully, you’re not the only one in this boat, and there are some guidelines to help you and your dog through this trying time.

1. Do a veterinary home visit

Dog crate rest will have unique parameters in each case, depending on the nature of the issue and the treatment. Throughout post-treatment recovery you’ll need to follow your vet’s guidelines on how much and what type of movement is OK.

This is why your vet should see your dog at home, if possible (they are busier than ever, though!). Then they can check on what obstacles need to be moved and how you can make the dog crate rest easier on pup and you. This might entail things like placing a small ramp in front of stairs. It could be about keeping your pooch away from the couch to avoid jumping. Or using a lead when they’re outside toileting to prevent running.

On the point of toileting, it’s possible you’ll need to be more involved in the process while pup is recovering. Speak to your vet about whether your dog needs to be carried outdoors or whether they need a sling so they can walk assisted.

Watch this video to see a dog sling in action:

2. Don’t get a plastic crate

There are soooo maaaany pet carrier options out there and you need one that promotes quality rest for a good recovery. A plastic crate may work for some pets, but it can limit their view and make them feel too isolated. This is why wire crates are often the best choice for dog crate rest. They’re easy to see out (and in) and have 100% ventilation.

Make sure your get one that’s big enough to stand up and turn around in. And unless you can absolutely guarantee your dog won’t try to jump, the crate should be closed-top.

3. Do assemble the crate beforehand

Be sure to assemble the crate in advance so your dog can go straight in and rest. If for any reason it’s not possible to do in advance, then assemble the crate in another room to avoid getting your dog’s nerves up.

4. Do make the crate safe (and comfy)

Cover the crate base with a non-slip rubber mat then place a deep pile mat or Vetbed on top. These materials provide a sturdy surface for your dog and will promote coordinated movement and prevent slipping. Minimise sensory stimulation by placing a blanket over half the top of the crate to blot out light and sounds.

Make sure the crate isn’t on a slippery surface and that if your dog is allowed to move out of the crate they can step onto a non-slip surface that’s as level as possible.

5. Do place the crate in the room with you

If possible, keep the crate in the same room as you to prevent your dog feeling lonely. Separation anxiety in pets is the last thing you want to add to the mix. If possible, move the crate around the house to different areas throughout the day to give your dog a balance of scenery. So yes, that means dogs shouldn’t sleep outside – especially on crate rest!

6. Don’t have guests over

Avoid having people visit while your dog is convalescing. Dogs generally want to say hi and interact fully with everyone in their territory. Even with your own household members and your dog, keep it low-key by talking quietly and sitting right next to the crate.

7. Do stimulate your dog’s senses in safe ways

Provided it’s fine with your vet, stimulate your dog’s senses with a feeding toy, like a puzzle. This will keep pup busy and entertained while they seek out individual treats or kibble. Stick to low-energy treats so pup doesn’t end up with added excess energy!

A frozen Kong is another boredom buster for hours of chewing and licking. Or you might prefer giving your dog a healthy deer antler that promotes a grazing approach to snacking. Good for dog crate rest, but also good for any time!

Besides snacks, free online dog TV can be an absolute winner during recovery. There are literally hours of free footage for dogs can tune into.

Take time throughout the day to spend time sitting next to your dog and talk to them. Let them rest their head on your hand and, if your vet thinks it’s safe, give your pup a massage to help with stiffness and circulation. You’ll need your vet’s guidance about how and where it’s safe to massage.

Another sensory stimulator that actually helps keep senses calm is a pet pheromone diffuser. The diffuser contains nature-like pheromones that mimic the effect a mum dog has on her pups.

8. Do stick to feeding schedules

Be sure to stick to the usual schedule for your dog’s main meals. Dog crate rest is already a huge change to the schedule, so keeping life as close to normal as possible will help your dog feel assured things are OK.

9. Do understand crate training (if possible, in advance)

Do read about the benefits you get if you crate train a puppy. Then read about the drawbacks of crate training a puppy. This helps you to make an informed decision about crate training before you need to use the crate.

If you do end up going there before any medical need for dog crate rest, your pup will already know the routine for rest time and even be better prepped when needing to travel in a crate.

10. Do give your dog a soft landing with dog insurance

Dog insurance helps cover costs for prescription medication, non-routine vet visits, hospitalisation, surgery… and the list goes on. There’s no reason not to invest in having quality and affordable protection for your pet.

It saves you the worry of whether your pet can get the care they need when they need it. Because it saves you from worrying about your wallet when you need to worry about your pet.

Pet insurance with us even covers treatment for hereditary conditions after a waiting period – provided you get your plan before the condition starts. Don’t wait a moment longer, click below to start your plan.