There is one lingering question many owners of male dogs have when adopting: should I get my dog neutered?
It’s a tough question to answer. Do you want to breed your dog someday? Are you able to engage in responsible breeding practices? Dog neutering has many pros and cons, but the many cons often outweigh the single pros. Veterinarians recommend neutering for a reason, including health, behavior, and keeping the dog population under control.
Do you need to know more about dog neutering, but have been afraid to ask? Here’s your ultimate guide to dog neutering, with every question answered!
What Is Dog Neutering?
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Dog Neutering?
- 2 Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System in Dogs
- 3 What Is the Difference Between Spay and Neuter?
- 4 Why Would a Dog Need to Be Neutered?
- 5 Benefits of Dog Neutering
- 6 Potential Disadvantages of Neutering
- 7 How Is The Dog Neutering Process?
- 8 Preparation for Dog Neutering
- 9 Recovery for the Dog Neutering
- 10 What Potential Surgical Complications Could Arise?
- 11 Effectiveness of Dog Neutering
- 12 Cost of Dog Neutering
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 FAQ
Dog neutering is a surgery that ensures your male dog can’t reproduce.
“Neuter” is the same as castration, the process that removes a male dog’s testicles. This procedure is done under general anesthesia, and the dog feels no pain during the surgery.
Neutering, also called an orchiectomy, is a very common surgery for male dogs, and most pets undergo the procedure. While the exact age when neutering should happen is a point of contention, shelters will neuter dogs as young as 2 months old. Most local governments don’t allow people to adopt dogs that haven’t been neutered.
The recommended age to neuter pets is around 6 months old for small breeds, and around 6 months to a year for bigger breeds. Giant breed dogs may not be neutered until they’re closer to 18 months.
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System in Dogs
Male dogs have two testicles in their scrotum, between their back legs. These testicles produce sperm and male sex hormones such as testosterone.
Testosterone is responsible for the function of the sex glands, the development of certain male characteristics, and sexual behavior in male dogs. Fluid semen comes from other sex glands, including the prostate. During the procedure, the vet will make an incision either directly into the scrotum or between the male sex gland and the scrotum.
The testicles are removed through this incision, and the cut is sewn up.
What Is the Difference Between Spay and Neuter?
Spaying is also called an ovariohysterectomy, a veterinary surgery performed under general anesthesia on female dogs. The female dog’s uterus and both ovaries are removed through an incision in the abdomen.
Neutering or castration is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testicles. This is also performed under anesthesia and is a much simpler surgery than a spay.
Why Would a Dog Need to Be Neutered?
The two main reasons to neuter a male dog are to prevent reproduction as well as prevent unwanted male behaviors. Even after the procedure, some male dogs will need behavior counseling to correct these behaviors, especially if they had the neutering procedure after these behaviors already begun.
Neutered dogs can’t breed, but these male dogs are also less likely to mark their territories and be aggressive. Dogs can also be neutered because of testicular tumors or cancer.
Some dogs also have cryptorchid testicles, meaning that one did not drop into the scrotum. These testicles can continue making testosterone and are more likely to be cancerous.
Benefits of Dog Neutering
Dog neutering has many benefits, including:
- Reduces the risk of prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis
- Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases
- Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer
- Eliminates hormonal behaviors such as marking and mounting
- Reduces aggression
- Reduces the likelihood of roaming
- While testosterone production is not completely eliminated, it is greatly reduced
Potential Disadvantages of Neutering
While neutering has overwhelming benefits, it’s important to also list the disadvantages. Neutering increases a dog’s lifespan, reduces the risk of certain health conditions, and enhances your male dog’s well-being overall.
Potential disadvantages of dog neutering can include:
- Reduced metabolism
- Increased risk of knee injury when neutering large-breed dogs too early
- Increased risk of fearful behaviors when neutering before maturity
While there are drawbacks, neutering is considered by veterinarians to be good for a dog’s overall health and longevity. Neutering does not alter guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness, or personality.
How Is The Dog Neutering Process?
Dogs don’t feel pain during the neutering procedure, but they may experience some post-op discomfort. Vets will typically provide pain medication to manage post-surgery pain, but the surgery itself is painless because of the use of anesthesia. Post-op discomfort is typically a general soreness that will go away in time.
Your veterinarian will want to run a series of pre-surgical bloodwork tests to determine your pet’s overall health.
Benefits of veterinarian bloodwork tests for dogs include:
- A Summary of Health – Bloodwork lets your veterinarian assess your pet’s overall health and identify any potential issues.
- Prep For Anesthesia – Bloodwork helps your veterinarian know the safest dose and type of anesthesia to use.
- Early Detection of Disease – Bloodwork can help veterinarians detect kidney and liver problems.
- Treatment Adjustments – If any abnormalities show up, your veterinarian can tweak your dog’s treatment plan.
- Surgical Issues – If anything potentially dangerous or concerning shows up in your dog’s bloodwork, surgery can be postponed.
Preparation for Dog Neutering
There are a few things you can do yourself to help prepare your dog for this routine surgery.
Withhold Food and Water
Your veterinarian might instruct you to wait to give your dog food and water before surgery to reduce the risk of complications.
Pre-op Medications
Your veterinarian may prescribe pre-op meds, so be sure to give those to your dog as directed.
Give Your Dog A Walk
You can help rid them of excess energy and improve their spirits by taking them for a short walk before bringing them into the veterinary clinic.
Uphold Veterinary Instructions
Your vet might have a few instructions for you, such as keeping your pet clean, bringing them in a carrier or on a leash, etc. Always make sure you follow the vet’s instructions before and after surgery.
Recovery for the Dog Neutering
Important: The surgical incision can take up to 14 days to heal. Do not allow the incision to get wet during this time and always follow your vet’s instructions.
Your dog will probably be tired and have a reduced appetite after surgery. Their appetite and energy level will return to normal within a few days, and if your veterinarian has prescribed any pain medications such as carprofen, administer them per instruction.
You might notice slight swelling and even a small amount of blood after neutering, which is expected. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice blood dripping from the incision, bruising along the genital area, pus, or a broken incision.
Since most dogs will try and lick the affected area during recovery, it’s important to ensure they are wearing a recovery cone and that they refrain from too much activity.
What Potential Surgical Complications Could Arise?
While complications are rare during castration surgery, there is always a small risk.
Potential complications after surgery can include anesthetic complications, such as adverse reactions to anesthesia or other drugs. These cases are unpredictable and extremely rare, and your veterinarian will take protective measures that allow for early detection and treatment of complications.
Veterinary hospitals and clinics like Paoli Vetcare utilize veterinary assistants alongside the doctor performing the surgery, for additional health and anesthesia monitoring. Male dogs should also be heavily monitored for 3-5 days after undergoing anesthesia.
Effectiveness of Dog Neutering
Dog neutering is highly effective and recommended by veterinarians worldwide. A successful neutering procedure reduces the chance of your dog getting a female dog pregnant but also includes a host of other benefits, such as the reduction of unwanted male behaviors.
Dogs who are neutered before these behaviors start are less likely to ever engage in them. Marking, aggression, and other unwanted behaviors can be effectively prevented by neutering procedures, and neutering will also remove the desire for male dogs to seek out mates, preventing them from running away from home or being struck by a vehicle. Neutered male dogs have longer lifespans overall than intact males.
Cost of Dog Neutering
Dog neutering procedures are surgical, and include anesthesia. Most routine neutering procedures will cost somewhere between $300 and $500, though some non-profit clinics have much lower dog neutering costs.
If the dog is cryptorchid, meaning one or more of their testicles are stuck in their abdomen, the procedure can be more expensive. Your veterinarian will talk you through costs and procedures before the surgery begins.
Conclusion
Dog neutering has endless benefits for your pet, and ultimately extends their lifespan by making them happier and healthier. If you’re considering neutering surgery, it’s important to first consult with your veterinarian. Renowned vets like those at Paoli Vetcare can provide you with extensive information on dog neutering, including the pros, cons, costs, and what to expect after surgery.
FAQ
Are There Any Post-operative Precautions I Should Take?
The most important things you can give your dog after surgery are plenty of rest, and restricting their activity. Normal activity is fine 5-10 days after surgery, but until then do leashed walks only, give them extensive rest, no swimming or bathing, and prevent them from running or climbing stairs.
Using a recovery collar is also a good idea since it prevents your dog from licking the surgical area.
Is There Any Alternative to Surgery?
Vasectomies are an option for dogs, which is a process that clamps the spermatic cord to not release sperm. While this procedure prevents unwanted pregnancies, it won’t reduce any of the other risk factors that neutering prevents.
Is Neuter Surgery Risky for a Dog?
Neutering is an extremely common, routine surgery that very rarely results in issues. There is always some degree of risk when putting an animal under general anesthesia, as well as risks associated with surgeries.
Your veterinarian should have blood work and a physical exam done before surgery, to ensure your dog is in good health and has no underlying health issues.
How to Tell if a Dog Is Neutered?
It’s a simple enough process of checking for their testicles, which should be easy to spot. If a dog has retained testes or cryptorchids it can be more challenging, but your veterinarian will be able to tell if your dog is intact or not.
What Is the Best Age to Neuter a Male Dog?
While it depends on the individual and their size, the best age is somewhere between 6 months and 18 months. Smaller dogs are often neutered earlier, while giant-breed dogs are neutered later. Speak with your veterinarian to learn more about when it’s best to neuter your dog.