Male Dogs Get Neutered: The Complete Guide

Neutering is a common surgical procedure for male dogs that can have a significant impact on their behavior and overall health.

Male dogs typically reach puberty between 6 to 9 months of age, which is when the neutering process usually takes place.

Neutering can prevent unwanted breeding and reduce the risk of certain health issues, such as testicular cancer.

It's essential to consider the age and health of your dog before scheduling a neutering procedure.

A veterinarian can help determine the best time for neutering based on your dog's individual needs and breed.

Neutering is a surgical procedure that involves removing a dog's testicles to prevent them from producing sperm and hormones. This procedure is usually performed on male dogs to prevent unwanted breeding.

By removing the testicles, the production of testosterone is significantly reduced, which in turn reduces aggression and roaming behavior.

Neutering can also help prevent certain health issues, such as testicular cancer, which is a common issue in intact male dogs.

The procedure is typically performed on dogs between 4 to 9 months of age, although some veterinarians may recommend it at an older age.

Neutering is a crucial step in responsible dog ownership. It reduces the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common cancer in intact dogs.

Neutering also eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, which is a significant health concern for male dogs. By removing this risk, you're giving your dog a better chance at a long and healthy life.

Here are some key benefits of neutering your male dog:

Spaying your female dog can have a significant impact on her health and well-being. By spaying, you can prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain health issues.

One of the most significant benefits of spaying is preventing womb infections, also known as pyometra. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in intact female dogs.

Spaying also reduces the chance of mammary/breast problems, including breast tumors and mastitis. This is a common issue in intact female dogs, especially as they age.

Here are some key benefits of spaying your female dog:

Overall, spaying is a simple and effective way to protect your female dog's health and prevent unwanted litters.

Spaying and neutering are two surgical procedures that can seem similar, but they're actually quite different. Spaying refers to the removal of a female's uterus and ovaries.

While both procedures prevent unwanted litters, spaying has a unique impact on a female dog's behavior and health. For instance, spayed females tend to be less aggressive and less prone to certain health issues, such as uterine infections.

Here's a quick rundown of the key differences between spaying and neutering:

Spaying and neutering may seem like they're interchangeable terms, but that's not the case. The terms refer to different procedures, and it's essential to understand the difference to make informed decisions about your pet's health.

Your dog will be examined by a veterinarian and pre-anesthetic blood tests will usually be performed before the procedure.

Most pets have an intravenous catheter placed to administer the anesthetic and to provide fluid therapy during the surgery.

A breathing tube will be placed in your dog's trachea to deliver oxygen and gas anesthetic directly into the lungs.

During the surgery, both testicles are removed through small incisions in the scrotum.

Injectable pain medication and local anesthetic will be given during the procedure.

Your dog will likely go home with several days of additional pain medication to ensure they stay comfortable.

The surgery itself is relatively simple, with a veterinarian making an incision in front of the scrotum, cutting the stalks of the testicles, and then removing the testicles through the incision.

The incision usually needs stitches.

Your dog will likely need an Elizabethan collar during recovery to prevent them from licking the area.

The incision fully heals in about two weeks.

Neutering a male dog can have some potential disadvantages, despite its benefits.

Neutering a dog will reduce his metabolism, which can sometimes be misunderstood as a direct cause of obesity. However, obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity.

Obesity in neutered dogs can be prevented by regulating their diet and caloric intake and ensuring regular exercise, at least daily.

Neutering large-breed dogs before bone growth is complete can increase the risk of cruciate ligament tear, a common knee injury.

Neutering before maturity may be associated with increased risk of certain fearful behaviors, such as noise phobia.

Some facilities may offer vasectomies, which involve clamping of the spermatic cord so no sperm can be released, but all other risk factors of intact males remain.

A sustained-release implant containing Deslorelin (brand name Suprelorin) is available in some countries, but not currently approved in the United States, causing temporary infertility.

You should discuss with your veterinarian to determine if there are any new therapies appropriate for your dog.

The cost of neutering your dog will depend on their size, gender, and your individual vet practice – call your vets for more information about prices.

If you are struggling with the cost of neutering your dog, speak to your vet practice and local dog warden to find out if there is any charity help available.

You can expect to pay an average of $315 for neutering a dog and $465 for spaying one in the U.S., according to CareCredit's 2023 Average Procedural Cost study.

A unique perspective: How Much Does It Cost to Get Stitches for a Dog?

Alternatives to surgery are available for dog owners who want to prevent unwanted litters without going under the knife.

Some facilities may offer vasectomies, which involve clamping of the spermatic cord so no sperm can be released. This procedure prevents unwanted pregnancies in female dogs, but all other risk factors of intact males remain.

A sustained-release implant containing Deslorelin is available in some countries, but not currently approved in the United States, causing temporary infertility.

The cost of spaying your dog can be a bit steep, with an average price of $465 in the U.S. according to CareCredit's 2023 Average Procedural Cost study. This cost can vary depending on your location and the clinic you choose.

Consider reading: Neutering Cost for Male Dogs

Neutering your dog, on the other hand, tends to be less expensive, with an average cost of $315 in the U.S. Low-cost spay and neuter clinics may offer even more affordable options, with prices starting at $60 for spaying and $55 for neutering.

It's worth noting that while these costs may seem high, they are actually far less expensive than treating the health complications that can arise from leaving your dog's reproductive organs intact.

After your male dog has been neutered, it's essential to provide the right care to ensure a smooth and comfortable recovery. Your veterinarian will give you instructions for post-surgery care, and your dog will likely recover completely within a couple of weeks.

Male dogs can usually go home the same day they have the procedure, but they might have some nausea and turn away from food for the first day or two. No need to be an overbearing parent and force your dog to eat – he'll be fine even if he misses a few meals.

For the first few days after surgery, the dog's scrotum will be swollen, and you might wonder if the vet really did the surgery. This swelling is often exacerbated if the dog licks the incision, so it's crucial to prevent this from happening.

If your vet used stitches, they'll likely need to be removed after about seven to 10 days, depending on the type of stitching material used. Your vet will give you details about how to check that the incision is healing and when to come back in for this final detail.

Some mild bruising can occur around the incision, but this is a normal part of the healing process. To promote healing and prevent complications, your vet may recommend limiting your dog's activity for a couple of days.

Here are some key things to watch for after surgery:

If you notice any of these signs, call your veterinarian immediately. They may also recommend using an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking the incision.

In general, most dogs bounce back to their usual personalities after recovery, but some may be more affected than others. If you're concerned about your dog's behavior or overall health, talk to your vet for guidance.

Neutering your male dog can be a bit of a mystery, but it's actually quite straightforward once you know the basics.

A male dog can be neutered any time after 8 weeks of age. This is a significant milestone, and it's essential to discuss the timing with your vet to determine what's best for your dog.

Neutering can have an impact on your dog's growth, especially if he's neutered before puberty. Dogs neutered before they go into puberty tend to grow a bit bigger than those neutered after puberty.

The ideal age for neutering varies depending on several factors, including your dog's breed and size. Generally, most dogs can be neutered at around 6 months old, but it's crucial to discuss the timing with your vet.

Here are some key factors to consider when deciding on the best time to neuter your male dog:

Neutering your male dog can have a significant impact on his behavior and health.

High levels of testosterone in intact males are responsible for behaviors like marking inside the house, mounting your leg, picking fights with other male dogs, and running away from home to seek a mate.

Neutering your dog will decrease his testosterone levels, which can reduce these behaviors.

Testosterone is not what drives your male dog's protective or territorial instincts, nor is it what shapes his natural temperament.

Neutering your dog will have no effect on his desire to guard his territory and protect his family and/or livestock from potential threats.

Whether or not a dog is good at protection or guarding has much more to do with breed, environment, and overall health.

Neutering your dog can also reduce his risk of prostate disease and testicular cancer.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Do Male Dogs Have Testosterone

Spaying and neutering don't directly cause dogs to gain weight. Weight gain is primarily caused by an inappropriate diet and not enough exercise.

Your dog's age, breed, and lifestyle have a much bigger impact on their weight than whether they're spayed or neutered.

For your interest: Do Male Dogs Gain Weight after Being Neutered

Feeding your dog an appropriate amount of food tailored to their breed, life stage, and activity level, combined with plenty of exercise, will help keep them healthy and trim.

You should factor in their slower metabolism when deciding what and how much to feed your dog, but this doesn't mean you should overfeed them.

Neutering your male dog will decrease his testosterone levels, which can reduce unwanted behaviors like marking inside the house and picking fights with other males.

However, neutering won't affect your dog's desire to guard his territory and protect his family and/or livestock from potential threats.

Spaying or neutering your dog is a safe procedure, despite what you may have heard. Anesthesia has advanced significantly in the veterinary world, with safer anesthetics and protocols reducing the risk of complications.

Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr notes that careful monitoring has also contributed to the reduced risk of anesthetic complications. This means that your vet will be keeping a close eye on your dog's vital signs during the procedure.

The risk of complications from anesthesia is significantly reduced, making the procedure safer than ever before.

Myth: It's too dangerous to put my dog under anesthesia.

Anesthesia has advanced significantly in the veterinary world, making it much safer than before.

Spaying and neutering are incredibly safe procedures, with reduced risks of anesthetic complications thanks to safer anesthetics and careful monitoring.

Myth: Spaying and neutering both cause dogs to gain weight.

Weight gain is primarily caused by an inappropriate diet and lack of exercise, not by spaying or neutering.

Dogs' age, breed, and lifestyle have a much greater impact on their weight than whether they're spayed or neutered.

Myth: Neutering will make my dog less protective or territorial.

Neutering won't affect a dog's protective or territorial instincts, which are shaped by breed, environment, and overall health.

High testosterone levels in intact males can lead to behaviors like marking, mounting, and fighting, but neutering won't change their natural temperament.

Additional reading: How Old Should a Female Dog Be to Breed