How much should I feed a dog recovering from surgery who needs to rest?

Reduced appetite in the first 24 to 48 hours after anesthesia is common and generally not a cause for concern on its own, and your vet's discharge instructions should specify exactly when and how much to offer during this initial period.

Offer smaller amounts than a normal full meal at first, since a large meal on a stomach still settling from anesthesia and medication can contribute to nausea or vomiting.

Once normal eating resumes, but while activity remains restricted for healing, reduce the daily food total by around 15 to 20 percent below the pre surgery active amount, since significantly reduced movement means significantly reduced calorie need.

Splitting this reduced amount into smaller, more frequent meals can help a resting, possibly bored dog feel satisfied without needing to increase the total calories.

As your vet clears increasing activity through the recovery process, increase food gradually in step with each stage, rather than returning to the full pre surgery amount before activity has actually caught back up.

Watch for continued reduced appetite beyond the first two to three days, or any vomiting, as these need reporting to your vet rather than assuming they are simply part of a slow recovery.