Like humans, dogs can feel a bit sore and out of sorts after they have a tooth removed. However, your dog won't really understand what has happened. It is likely to need some extra help from you to get over the extraction and to start the healing process.

What do you need to know?

Your Dog May Need Rest

Your dog needs time to get over the anaesthetic it was given during its dental procedure. It also needs careful management to make sure that it doesn't disturb the extraction site. While your pet may have stayed in your vet's surgery for its initial recovery period, it may still need a little extra care at home for a day or so. For example, you need to try and prevent the extraction site from bleeding again.

If your dog gets home and runs around a lot like it usually does, then its blood will get pumping. This may make its mouth bleed a little again, especially if the extraction hole hasn't been stitched. So, your vet may advise that you keep your pet calm and quiet for a while after you get it home to allow the site to start to heal over.

Your Dog Needs to Avoid Hard Chewing

You may be told to feed your dog a softer diet than usual after you get it home. Hard food, like dry dog food or treat chews, may scrape on the extraction site and make it bleed. This is also likely to give your pet some pain and discomfort. It's a better idea to only give your dog soft food, like wet dog food, during its recovery period. This won't harm the hole in its gum; your pet is also more likely to cope with eating food it doesn't have to crunch or chew.

Food isn't the only consideration at this stage. Before you take your dog in for its extraction, it's worth picking up and hiding anything it chews on regularly. For example, you shouldn't let your dog have chew toys while its gum heals. Again, these toys may stop the site from healing quickly. Chewing on a toy will also give your dog some pain. To find out the best way to manage your dog in the first few days after a tooth extraction, ask your vet for advice. They can give you other tips on how to keep your pet comfortable and how to ensure rapid healing.

For more information, contact your local veterinary dentistry office.