Neutering stops unwanted litters, helps to prevent certain diseases, and results in happier, healthier dogs. But when should you neuter your dog? What are the signs your dog needs to be neutered and what are the benefits of neutering? Are there any downsides or aftercare issues?
As a dog owner you may or may not be in favour of neutering your dog, or need more information on the procedure. Whether you have a male or female dog, here's what you need to know about dog neutering.
What Does Dog Neutering Mean?
Neutering is the removal of your dog’s reproductive organs. In females, removal of the ovaries and uterus is known as spaying. In male dogs, surgical removal of the testicles is called castration. Both procedures are also sometimes referred to as ‘fixing’.
In both cases, this is a surgical procedure carried out under general anaesthetic. Neutering a dog is one of the most common surgeries performed and the risks of complications are low.
What is Dog Castration?
The veterinarian makes a small incision next to the scrotum for the male dogs. The surgeon removes the testicles, but the scrotum remains in place and will eventually shrink down flat. The vet then sutures the wound with dissolvable stitches.
Your dog with probably be a bit groggy for the rest of the day and evening after their operation. They may still feel a bit sick from the anaesthetic.
What is Dog Spaying?
For female dogs, spaying is more invasive and the recovery time for a spayed dog is a bit longer. The vet makes a small incision in the abdomen, removes the ovaries and womb through it, and then stitches the incision. Some vets also perform dog spaying using "keyhole surgery."
It’s also possible for female dogs to undergo an ovariectomy, where only the ovaries are removed but an ovariohysterectomy (OVH) is more common.
Should I Neuter My Dog?
Neutering is a quick, routine operation, but a general anaesthetic is needed, and the dog may experience some discomfort afterwards. Some owners may be reluctant to put their dog through this and think it’s a procedure that they don’t need. They may be worried that their dog will put on weight afterwards, that their dog’s personality or behaviour will change, or there’ll be other side-effects.
Some may believe the old wives' tale that female dogs need to have one litter before being spayed. If you have any concerns about either procedure, talk to your veterinarian before you make the decision.
On the other hand, is it fair to walk your unneutered male dog around the park if they’re tormented by hormones and can’t act on their instincts? Is it fair for your female dog to go through a phantom or false pregnancy? If your dog becomes pregnant, you’ll also have to consider the cost of feeding and health costs for the mother and any litters as well as the stress of finding good homes for all the puppies.
Remember that many unwanted dogs are left to fend for themselves or are euthanised. Neutering a dog prevents unwanted pregnancies and helps to reduce the huge numbers of unwanted dogs.
What Are the Benefits of Neutering a Dog?
The big benefit of spaying your female dog is simple: there’s zero chance of her getting pregnant. Spaying a dog also removes the risk of associated health conditions such as pyometra (a potentially life-threatening womb infection). In addition, spaying dogs reduces the risk of certain cancers, specifically mammary cancers (breast cancer or mammary cancer). And as female dogs in season pass a bloody discharge, there’ll be no more mess to clear up around the house!
For the guys, as well as stopping them impregnating another dog, it eliminates the risks of developing testicular cancer and certain health problems such as prostatic and perianal conditions.
Signs Your Dog Needs to Be Neutered?
Some people still think that castration is somehow a “quick fix” for dealing with an overly boisterous male dog. It’s not quite as clear cut as that.
Castration stops your dog from producing the hormones that govern his sex drive (especially testosterone). So, it does tend to put an end to the “humping”, urine marking and other undesirable behaviours. It will also stop intact males making a beeline for female dogs in heat. Running off in search of a mate puts dogs at risk of road accidents. If this happens regularly, then it might be time to neuter!
Many bitches in heat are also driven to wander off in search of potential mates, increasing the risk of traffic injuries. Many experience mood swings - and this can lead to aggression towards other people and dogs.
The end result of neutering can be a dog who’s generally calmer and easier to control - especially around other dogs. That said, sex-drive is just one of the many potential causes of behavioural issues in dogs and if it’s something else that’s making them anxious or aggressive, neutering isn’t a magic fix!
At What Age Should a Dog Be Neutered
For males, it’s best to wait until they’re fully mature before you castrate your dog. This depends on the breed size, but a suitable time to neuter a male dog is around 9-12 months. However, large breed dogs don’t reach maturity until they’re 18-24 months old.
If you’re adopting an older, unneutered male dog, castration is still possible. Your vet may specifically advise on this for general health reasons, and to avoid the risks of testicular cancer. If your older dog has been sexually active before, the effects of neutering may be less clear than in younger dogs.
Most vets advise on spaying a female dog after maturity but before her second birthday. Female dogs are "in season" for about three weeks, two times a year. It is best to let your dog have at least one season before spaying. Spaying your female dog earlier may increase the risk of urinary incontinence in later life, this is more of a problem in some breeds but can be controlled with daily medication.
How Long Does it Take for a Dog to Recover from Neutering?
For both male and female dogs, neutering is a day-case general anaesthetic procedure. If you go into the vet first thing in the morning, your dog will be ready to come home sometime after lunch. As with human operations, you should hold back the food from the evening before.
Too much running about risks the wound opening up, so a neutered dog needs to be rested for seven days after the procedure. Fortunately, even the most active dog usually instinctively knows to take it easier when they're carrying a wound.
Owners should look out for the warning signs after spaying in case an infection has set in at the incision site. If there’s redness or swelling around the wound, excessive bleeding or discharge or your dog is showing signs of fever or having difficulty going to the toilet, talk to your vet.
Neutered dogs should also be stopped from licking their wounds. A cone-type collar or buster collar can be used otherwise, a medical t-shirt is usually enough for protecting the wound site. There’s usually a follow-up vet visit after around five days to make sure everything is well.
How Much Does Dog Neutering Cost
For some dog owners, the cost of spaying a dog may be a factor. How much to get a dog neutered will can vary depending on the size of the dog, the vet practice and the location and type of operation. Ask your vet how much it is to neuter a dog - if it’s too expensive, dog charities or a rescue or animal shelter may offer low-cost neutering or even free neutering.
On average, the cost to spay a female dog is between £130 and £360, with castration costing £110-£300. If a dog has one or both retained testicles (where the testicle has remained inside the dog instead of dropping down to the scrotum), the surgery to remove the testicle will cost more.
Deciding if and when to neuter your dog can be a big concern for some dog owners, but neutering will safeguard your dog’s health and welfare. As well as preventing unplanned pregnancies and unwanted puppies, there are various health benefits of spaying and neutering. Speak to your vet to go through the pros and cons of spaying or castrating dogs. They’ll also be able to advise you on the best age to neuter a dog, so you make the right decision for you and your dog.
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