Does My Dog Really Need to Be Neutered or Spayed?
Deciding whether to spay/neuter your puppy? It’s an important decision which should be determined sooner rather than later.
Neutering and spaying are surgical procedures that remove an animal's reproductive organs to prevent them from breeding. Spaying removes the ovaries/uterus of a female dog, preventing them from coming into season, becoming pregnant, or developing pseudopregnancy. This can also reduce the risk of uterine infections and cancers. Neutering removes the testicles of a male dog, eliminating the main source of the male hormone and testosterone, reducing male breeding behaviours.
For those who are concerned for their dog’s welfare, neutering and spaying are performed under general anaesthetic and your pet should recover quickly. During the surgery, your dog will be unconscious and not feel any pain. After surgery, the vet will provide pain medication through an injection.
Making this decision can help prevent illnesses and unwelcome behaviours in dogs, and save money by avoiding the costs of unplanned pregnancies and raising puppies.
Overall, neutering or spaying your dog can reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as testicular in males, and uterine or mammary in females. You’ll also notice a significant change in your dog’s behaviour: neutering male dogs decreases aggression and can achieve a 60-90% reduction in roaming behaviour. Furthermore, unwanted breeding usually results in an increased amount of homeless pets in rescue centres. An estimated 2.7 million animals enter UK animal shelters each year, with 664,000 being dogs. Neutering or spaying plays a critical role in reducing these numbers to avoid leaving more dogs homeless.
Whilst we’re covering the benefits, it’s also worth noticing the downsides of neutering or spaying your dog that you’ll have to consider. These issues can be rectified with the correct care for your dog:
Neutering or spaying can increase the risk of certain conditions, such as joint issues or specific cancers. Most of the time, this is only applicable if the procedure is done too early.
There can be changes in your dog’s metabolism, possibly leading to weight gain. Although, this is manageable if you care for your dog with a proper diet and daily exercise.
Some behaviours such as marking or aggression might persist, and once again this is depending on when the procedure is done.
The ideal age of neutering or spaying your dog is often 6-12 months, but it can vary based on breed and individual factors. If your dog is a larger breed, they may benefit from delayed neutering/spaying due taking longer to reach their adult size, and their growth plates (which control bone growth), take a few months longer to close. Early spaying/neutering for larger dogs could increase the risk of joint disorders, so waiting around 11 months is a common timeframe.
What also sparks to mind are the endless myths and misconceptions about neutering/spaying your dog. Let’s clear up a few for you:
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There are no proven negative impacts on your dog’s personality or behaviour. The biggest change will be, because of the decreased fluctuations in hormones, your spayed/neutered dog is less likely to start fights with other dogs, or run away in search of a mate.
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Dogs become overweight in ways similar to us: when they are inactive, eat too much and exercise too little, not because they are spayed/neutered. Your pets will stay fit if you control their food intake and maintain regular exercise.
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The procedures have no effect at all on your dog’s cognitive abilities. They will continue to engage, interact and learn new things as they did before spaying or neutering.
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Male dogs are mature enough to father kittens or puppies at six months, and female dogs have their first heat cycle as early as four months. Vet services typically recommend spaying/neutering your pet between the ages of six to nine months.
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There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find homes for all of your dog’s puppies. If you can’t find homes for your dog’s litter, many of them could end up in rescue centres if you’re not prepared to care for them.
To summarise, you should make a decision that prioritises your dog’s well-being and aligns with what you and your household can handle. Don’t just take only your word for it, make sure you schedule a consultation with a vet if you’re unsure.
If you’re thinking about booking a walk, training session, or daycare for your dog, How I Met Your Dog requires that your dog should be neutered or spayed if they’re over 1 year old.
