If your young or energetic dog has been put on crate rest, you're likely feeling overwhelmed. How do you keep an active dog calm, entertained, and happy while they're limited to a small space and restricted exercise?
While it's not always easy, it's absolutely doable with planning, preparation, and the right mindset.
Let's dive into why crate rest is necessary, why sticking to it is so important, and how to help your dog stay mentally stimulated and relaxed during their recovery.
Key Takeaways (TL/DR)
1. Reasons Why Dogs Need Crate Rest: Crate rest is vital for dogs recovering from surgery, injuries, or conditions like IVDD, ensuring proper healing by limiting movement. Read more about why dogs need crate rest
2. The Importance of Following Crate Rest Instructions: Stick to your vet's guidelines to avoid complications, re-injury, or additional surgeries, even if bending the rules is tempting. Find out why you shouldn't ignore crate rest guidelines
3. Preventing Boredom with Enrichment and Training: Keep your dog entertained with food puzzles, scent work, basic training, and safe chew options to minimize physical activity while keeping their brain active. Get enrichment and training ideas for crate rest
4. Helpful Tools for Crate Rest: Products like the Help 'Em Up Harness, orthopedic beds, portable pop-up pens, crate covers, and calming supplements or pheromones can make crate rest more manageable. Read more about crate rest setup
5. Preparing and Adjusting Your Dog's Routine: Ease the transition to crate rest by creating a structured schedule, incorporating enrichment activities, and exploring alternatives to crates if needed. See our recommendations for crate rest preparation
Why Dogs Are Put on Crate Rest
Crate rest is commonly prescribed by veterinarians for dogs recovering from surgery, healing from an injury, or managing a medical condition like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Limiting a dog's movement gives their body time to heal properly and can prevent further damage.
While crate rest might feel restrictive or even unfair to your dog, think of it as a prescription for their health and well-being. Just like humans need bed rest after a major procedure or injury, dogs need their version of downtime to recover fully.
Why It's Important to Follow Crate Rest Instructions
It's tempting to bend the rules, especially when your dog is wanting to move and play. You might think that a quick game of fetch or a short walk around the block won't be a big deal, but doing so can have serious consequences.
Ignoring crate rest guidelines can lead to re-injury, complications, or even the need for additional surgery. Beyond not wanting your dog to be in more pain, you also don't want to spend more money than you have to at the vet's office.
Following your veterinarian's instructions for post-surgery or post-injury recovery is the best way to ensure your dog heals completely. Crate rest can also be an opportunity to bond with your dog in new and creative ways, even when they can't run, jump, or play like usual.
Some Typical 'Crate Rest Times' for Dogs After Surgery
These recovery times are approximations, as your veterinarian will provide the appropriate amount for your dog, based on their age, the procedure, etc.
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Spay/neuter – 12 to 14 days
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Wound closures – 12 to 14 days
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Ear surgery – 2 weeks
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Soft tissue surgeries (i.e., tumor removal, hernia repair, amputation) – between 2 to 3 weeks
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Eye surgery – about 2 weeks. May be longer depending on eye issue
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IVDD surgery – 4 to 6 weeks (possibly longer)
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Abdominal surgery (caesarian section, foreign body removal, gastropexy, splenectomy, bladder stone removal) – between 2 to 8 weeks depending on the type of surgery
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Orthopedic surgeries (luxating patella, fracture repair, hip dysplasia) – about 6 weeks but may be longer
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TPLO – 8 weeks
6 Ways to Prevent Boredom for Dogs on Crate Rest
1. Use Enrichment Toys and Dog Puzzles
Use your dog's regular mealtime to burn some energy by stuffing their food in a Kong or West Paw Toppl, sprinkling it over a snuffle mat, or using a slow feeder bowl. Not only does this slow down their eating, but it makes them work for their food – something that's instinctually satisfying for dogs. If your dog is familiar with stuffed food puzzles, then freeze them for an additional level of difficulty.
Click here for tips on how to introduce food puzzles and my favorite options.
For dogs on crate rest, consider dividing up their twice-daily meal into two smaller meals plus two "snacks" throughout the day. This gives you more opportunities to give them a puzzle feeder to work on.
If they are especially antsy, give them a frozen licking mat smeared with low-fat Greek yogurt, unseasoned apple sauce, xylitol-free peanut butter, or wet food. The repetitive action of licking can be soothing for many dogs. Maevis' lickimat (featured in the photo above) was stuck to the door with suction cups for easy access while she stayed seated.
2. Practice Basic Training Skills
Use crate rest time to teach new obedience skills or reinforce known behaviors that don't require a lot of movement. Brain work can be just as tiring, and sometimes more tiring, than physical exercise.
"Touch" can be a great option, where you teach your dog to boop their nose to your hand or a target. This is what Preventive Vet team member Mia did with her dog Maevis during crate rest post-ACL surgery, as you can see in this video:
Training Skills to Practice During Crate Rest:
- Name Recognition (a foundational cue for Recall!)
- Touch
- Leave It
- Drop It
- Take It
- Chin Rest
- Cooperative Care
- Names of Particular Toys or Objects
3. Introduce Scent Work
A dog's nose is an amazing thing! Crate rest time can be a great opportunity to introduce nose work to your dog. It's easy to get started since it's all about pairing a novel scent with food. If you ever plan on doing more formal nose work for fun or competition, you can start with anise, birch, or clove scents, as this is what is used in competitions. But if you don't have future nose work ribbons in mind, then you can use any dog-safe scent.
Every nose work supply kit has specific instructions on how to prepare the scent and what to place it in. Follow your kit's instructions and then hide the tin or scented item in your dog's crate or confinement area, with high-value treats placed on top. You can also manually pair the scent with treats, by having your dog sniff the scented item and then reward with high-value treats multiple times before eventually hiding the item. It's all about creating a paired association that the scent predicts yummy food!
Preventive Vet pups, Clover and Finnegan, love to practice nose work at home with the Hide & Scent kit (use code: HSPV10 for 10% off), which has delicious smelling scents and adorable scent stone pockets you use to play the game. At my house, because I practice nose work with my dogs in preparation for trials, I use the AKC Scent Work Kit.
"Hunting" for smells is deeply satisfying for dogs and a great way to burn mental energy. Even if it's just around their crate or pen area, it's a great way to balance out the lack of physical exercise.
4. Long-Lasting Dog Chews
Safe dog chews, like bully sticks or rawhide alternative chews, can keep your dog occupied and satisfy their need to chew. Chewing is a repetitive behavior, making it a naturally calming activity for your dog. You do want to supervise them during chew time, especially if they're prone to gulping down or breaking pieces off of their edible chews.
Odor-free bully sticks are a good option to use as a special treat every few days, and I recommend using a bully stick holder to ensure your dog can't swallow it when it gets too small.
Check out this article for more of my favorite dog chews to use during crate rest.
5. Calming Supplements, Tools & Techniques
Sometimes, crate rest is as much about keeping your dog calm as it is about keeping them entertained. Dogs naturally sleep more than us humans every day. But being cooped up in their crate or playpen can make them feel a bit anxious or squirrelly when they are awake.
Consider using calmer pheromone sprays, such as ThunderEase (Adaptil), or a calming music playlist made specifically for dogs. You can reassure your dog with calm praise and, if they enjoy it, soothing massage or petting.
If your dog enjoys watching the television, put on a show for them to watch. Maevis particularly enjoyed watching Bluey during her crate rest.
In cases where a dog is struggling with crate rest, speak with your veterinarian about medication that can provide sedation. If prescription medication is not indicated, then discuss which calming supplements might be a good choice. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting supplements, as some can interact with other medications your dog may be taking.
Check out our overview of Medications and Supplements for Dog Anxiety here.
6. Prepare for Routine Adjustment
If your dog is used to a lot of activity, transitioning to crate rest can be tough. Before their planned procedure or surgery, start adjusting down their regular activities to better match what crate rest might be like: short potty breaks, more enrichment time, and regular feeding intervals. Sticking to a familiar routine will help your dog feel secure and help reduce restlessness.
Other Helpful Tools and Tips for Crate Rest
When your dog is on crate rest, having the right tools can make all the difference in keeping them safe, comfortable, and stress-free.
One invaluable tool for dogs recovering from surgery or injury is the Help ‘Em Up Harness. This specially designed harness provides support for lifting and moving your dog while minimizing strain on their body — and yours. It’s particularly helpful for larger dogs or those with mobility challenges, as it allows you to assist them during potty breaks or position changes without risking further injury.
Our team member Mia used this for helping her dog move around safely during crate rest, as you can see in the photo. I've also used this harness for my previous dog while he was recovering from a herniated disc.
Another must-have is a high-quality orthopedic bed to provide extra support and comfort during extended periods of rest. Memory foam beds or pads designed for crates can help prevent pressure sores and keep your dog cozy. You might also consider a crate cover to create a den-like, calming environment that promotes relaxation.
What if Your Dog Isn't Crate Trained?
If your dog isn't crate trained or hates being crated, you have a couple of different options:
- Set up a pen area using ex-pen panels or a portable pop-up pen. You may need to make it small so your dog doesn't move around too much, but it can be easier on dogs because there is no "roof" over their heads, and feels less confining. Plus, you can set it up right next to where you typically hang out during the day.
- Tether your dog using a leash attached to a sturdy object, setting up a resting area in that space. You should never leave your dog tethered unsupervised, so this alternative requires more involvement on your part throughout the day. But it can make it easier on dogs who otherwise get anxious and stressed when feeling confined. Make sure that they have access to their water and comfy bed where they are tethered.
Take Care of Yourself, Too
Caring for a dog on crate rest can be exhausting. But it's so important to make sure your dog heals properly, doesn't re-injure themselves, and so you don't have to make another trip to the veterinarian. Remember to give yourself some grace and take breaks when needed. Lean on your support system – friends, family, or even your vet team – for guidance and encouragement.
With patience, creativity, and consistency, you can help your energetic dog not just get through crate rest, but come out of it healthy, happy, and ready to thrive.
Do you have a tip or trick that worked wonders for your dog while on crate rest? Share it with us in the comments below!
