Neutering your dog: what you need to know

Unwanted puppies are a big problem nationally

Each year thousands of puppies will find themselves abandoned, often the result of unplanned or poorly considered breeding. While some puppies may find homes initially, many find themselves unwanted once the novelty wears off or they get a little bigger.

 

Dog relationships are different

Dogs don’t recognise family relationships and brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers will mate with each other. If you have an unneutered male and female living together, no matter how well they are separated, mating can happen very quickly should they meet.

If you don’t neuter a male dog, he will be able to smell female dogs in heat. This will cause him a lot of anxiety and lead to frustration-related behaviours and illnesses.

 

Neutering may save you money

There are financial implications to your dog having a litter. Specific health tests are required for many dog breeds and birth complications will require expensive veterinary treatment.

 

Neutering and behaviour

The way that neutering affects behaviour is complex. It may improve or worsen some behavioural issues. It’s always best to speak to a qualified canine professional about behaviour concerns as there are many factors that need to be considered.

Although neutering won’t fix all problem behaviours, it can help with roaming, mounting of humans and other dogs, urine marking in the house and some forms of aggression.

Roaming can be a big problem in male dogs. They can smell a female dog in heat from approximately a mile away – no matter how well trained they are, they’re less likely to listen to you when their hormones kick in.

Even so, the procedure can also make certain issues worse, as discussed in this study. For example, fear-based behaviours may increase because of the drop in testosterone.

 

Neutering can have health benefits

There are several illnesses more commonly found in unneutered dogs, many of them fatal. These include womb infections and mammary cancer in females and testicular and prostate cancer in males. Also, pregnancy and giving birth are not without risks for female dogs.

 

What is the best age to neuter my dog?

In most cases, neutering should happen when a dog has fully matured. The right timing depends on the individual dog, and your vet will be able to advise.

Female dogs usually need to have at least one season before they’re neutered. There’s no evidence that it’s healthier for a dog to have a litter before being neutered. Animals do not experience the same feelings about motherhood as humans do and the first litter for a female is often the most difficult and high risk.

 

Your dog’s recovery time

After neutering, your dog should be back on their food within 24 hours, and their skin should heal within 14 days. If you have any concerns, speak with your vet.

 

Neutering costs and help available

It can cost anywhere between £100 and £300 to neuter a dog, without accounting for any added complications. Help with neutering costs may be available for certain people on low incomes from Woodgreen, Cats Protection, RSPCA, PDSA, and Blue Cross.