Eating & Drinking for Dogs Prior to Spaying/Neutering (Vet Answer)
In this article
View 4 More +It can be emotionally stressful to prepare your dog for neuter or spay surgery. It can also be confusing to determine when your dog can eat and drink, and different vets can give slightly different instructions. To be the most thorough, carefully follow your own vet’s instructions down to the hour. Remember that even if you’ve had a dog undergo the surgery before, Your current vet might have slightly different instructions. To keep it as simple as possible, remove all food the night before and remove water in the morning.
Read on to learn more about having your dog eat or drink before spaying or neutering.
When Should I Stop Giving My Dog Food?
This is where different vets might give different instructions. Some might say to feed your dog dinner, while some might say remove all food at 10 PM. And some might even say no more food after midnight. It varies, and we are sorry it is confusing!
The problem is that many people feed their dogs at different times of the day. So, while we don’t want your dog to eat after midnight, we also don’t want you waking up at midnight to take away their food. It's unnecessary when you can just as easily take it away at 10 PM.
The latest you can feed your dog is usually at midnight. This is because they need over 8 hours to digest their food. But if your dog doesn’t eat after 6 PM, that is perfectly fine too.
What About Drinking?
This is probably the most confusing issue because some vets will say to take their water away in the morning, but some will not. Most of the time, water goes through the stomach pretty quickly, so if your dog has a normal drink in the morning, by the time they go to surgery, it will probably be fine.
But the problem is that many dogs are not "normal," and they will have a huge drink in the morning, which can be more of a risk. Also, some dogs will drink a bunch of water when they get excited because they know something different is happening that day. Then, they will get in your vehicle and get car sick, which is not ideal.
Many vets advise removing the water to avoid all these various complications. Others are not as concerned and may want your dog as hydrated as possible. Staying hydrated is important during surgery, and a good, healthy drink in the morning can be good.
So, ask your vet what they prefer and follow their instructions. If you are concerned your pet might drink too much water in the morning or get dehydrated, ask them what to do.
If you have a question about your dog's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for free? Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your dog.
How It Can Go Wrong: Common Mistakes
| Common Mistake | Suggestion |
| Family members forget and give them a treat. | Make sure everyone in the house knows when your dog will have surgery. |
| They steal food from people. | Be extra defensive of your breakfast on the day of the surgery. |
| Another pet is fed and the dog awaiting surgery steals their food. | Feed the other pet after you leave, or feed them in a different room. Consider keeping them in a crate. |
| They eat something outside. | Use a leash when walking to your car. |
| They are extra hungry and get extra good at begging. | Stay strong, and don’t give it! |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I Give Them Their Medication?
Most puppies going for neutering are not on medication, so it might not be something to worry about. But if your pet is on long-term prescriptions, it is usually vital they get their medication in the morning. Always check with the vet, however.
Also, make sure the person checking them into the hospital knows they received medication in the morning. Either way, do not give your dog supplements in the morning. To summarize, most of the time, give prescriptions but do not give supplements.
How Do I Give Medication if They Can't Eat?
This depends on the medication. A liquid or pill they swallow whole shouldn't be an issue. The small amount of medication in their stomach is not significant, and it is more important for them to get the medication.
If your dog usually gets their medication in a treat, that is okay. Just ensure the treat is as tiny as possible. If your dog usually eats their medication in their breakfast, give them a small treat instead. The pill treat should be the size of a pea or, at the most, a grape. Anything bigger could be a problem.
What Do I Do if They Eat?
Don't be afraid to admit your dog ate before surgery. Your vet must know, and they might need to have the surgery rescheduled for your dog's safety.
Other Important Considerations on Surgery Day
Prepare a safe way for them to enter the hospital. If you bring your dog in a carrier, make sure it is safe, clean, and comfy.
Check the crate for the following:
If you bring your dog to the vet's office without a carrier, ensure they are leashed, even if your dog is great off-leash. They will be in a small space with other dogs who are very stressed. It is safest if everyone is leashed. Plus, another person will take them at some point, and it is much easier if they have a leash.
Also, ensure their collar or harness is tight enough, even if they usually walk in a loose harness. In a hospital, many dogs do not want to enter the consult rooms or walk away from their humans and slip out of their harnesses or collars.
It happens all the time. They get nervous and know precisely how to escape. Sometimes, having both a harness and a collar is even more secure. It doesn’t have to be on all day; it is just so they are as safe as possible on the surgery day.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this helps you feel more prepared for your dog’s neuter or spay. Dogs cannot eat or drink before any surgery, including neutering. It is best to follow the exact directions of your veterinarian so that everyone is on the same page.
Featured Image Credit: aspen rock, Shutterstock
GetIn Your Inbox
Want content like this delivered to you?
News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog
Dr. Chantal Villeneuve MS BVetMed (Veterinarian)
Dr. Chantal is passionate about the human-dog bond and improving animals' lives through their connections with their human companions. She has worked with almost every species, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even horses and mice - all are welcome. She is excited to use her writing to spread the things she has learned to help people connect with their dogs.
