Image: Lydia Tan via Unsplash
Neutering is one of the most talked about discussions in the veterinary world. There are both pros and cons of neutering.
Cats, both male and female, are neutered from 6 months of age, but this can be done earlier from 4 months if they are desperate to go outside.
Small bitches (female dogs) <15kg can be neutered from 6 months of age. The breeds are Cockerpoos, Jack Russell Terriers, and Bichon Frise, etc.
Bitches >15kg can be neutered from 12 months of age. If they have a season, we have to wait 3 months to neuter. (Breed dependent)
Male dogs can be neutered from 12 months of age. This is to give them time to reach full growth and maturity. (Breed dependent)
Our Veterinary Nurses can offer you advice on neutering for free, please call us on 01665 252 250 if you have any questions or want to book your pet in for a consult.
Pros to Neutering
Controls overpopulation of dogs and cats - The main reason is every year thousands of healthy, adoptable pets are euthanised in shelters because there is simply no space and resources to keep them there.
It reduces the risk of prostate and cancer problems - Dogs that are neutered no longer have the risk of suffering from testicular cancer, which is a common form of cancer in dogs later in life. Other common issues, such as infections or cysts, are also reduced. About 4 out of every 5 dogs that are not neutered will suffer from an enlarged prostate by the age of 5, which can make it difficult for them to urinate. Castration can help prevent this.
Speying prevents a pyometra in female dogs - A pyometra is where the uterus fills with pus due to an infection. This can cause your dog to become very unwell and in worst cases, they can die if left untreated.
It reduces marking and spraying issues - The removal of the testicles changes the hormonal balance that is within the male dog or cat. Less testosterone is present, which means there is less of a desire to mark territory. There can be fewer spraying issues around the house as well.
It reduces the mating urge - Dogs that are not neutered will have the urge to run away from their home if they sense a dog in heat somewhere in their neighbourhood. The urge to mate is reduced once the neutering process has been completed. That means the desire to roam and expand territory is reduced. They still like to get outside to explore, but the purpose is different. The goal is to have fun more than it is to find a mate or expand personal borders.
It does not cause them to gain weight - Dogs that are neutered will usually be more inactive than normal for up to 2-4 weeks after the procedure. This is normal. It is part of the healing process. As long as the dog receives a healthy diet and regular exercise, the act of neutering will not cause the dog to put on weight. As the dog ages, the focus on diet and exercise must increase as the dog will want to eat the same amount while wanting to exercise less.
It can reduce sexualised behaviours - Some male dogs are hypersexualised. You can see this with behaviours that include leg humping and mounting other dogs of either gender. Neutering can reduce these behaviours because it changes the urge to mate. Although there may be changes to the maturation process afterwards, for some dogs the benefits here outweigh the potential disadvantages which may occur later on in life.
Cons to Neutering
It does not guarantee a change in behaviour - Many dogs have learned behaviours that go beyond basic hormones. Some dogs may have learned to lift their leg to spray, so they’ll keep doing that after they are neutered. Some dogs can become more aggressive after being neutered. Although it is possible for undesired behaviours to disappear after this procedure, it is not guaranteed. You may see more undesired behaviours instead of fewer.
It can cause urinary incontinence - Although it doesn’t happen often, there is a small risk that the neutering procedure could cause urinary incontinence for the dog. It happens when the surgery takes place before the bladder is fully developed. As the dog ages, the bladder muscles are weaker than they should be, which causes leakage.
It could change the texture of the dog’s coat - Because neutering initiates a hormonal change for the dog, there can be some changes to the animal’s physical characteristics over time. One of the most common changes that is seen happens to the coat. Dogs that are neutered may have their coat growth patterns altered. The texture of their coat might change as well.
It increases several different health risks for the dog - Neutering can increase the health risks of certain conditions for dogs. Dogs that are neutered before the age of 12 months have an increased risk of osteosarcoma. This is breed dependent and can be discussed with one of our Vets. There are also increased risks for hypothyroidism, cognitive impairments, and orthopaedic disorders.
It stops the breeding process - Some dogs may be candidates for contributing to a breed’s gene pool. The neutering process takes that option away.
The pros and cons of neutering dogs is, in general terms, something that can be beneficial to individual pets while controlling overall population levels. The danger here is making the assumption that all dogs benefit from this procedure. That is simply false, which is why every potential advantage and disadvantage must be carefully weighed to determine what the right course of action should be.
If this article has raised any concerns about your pet, or you would like to make an appointment to discuss neutering your pet, please call us on 01665 252250 or email us at info@coquetvets.co.uk
