When Should I Get My Dog Neutered? Benefits of Neutering Canine

Should I Get My Dog Neutered?

A responsible pet owner would opt for his dog to be neutered, unless the dog is intended for breeding. There are many health and behavioral benefits dogs can get from this kind of surgery. Contrary to beliefs, a neutered dog still remains to be physically active and the dog’s appetite does not change.

Pet owners should not be afraid for their pets because their dogs do not feel any pain during the surgery. The dogs are under anesthesia during the surgery, and only a small incision is made.

Dogs can be brought home right after the surgery, and most dogs go back to their normal, daily activities after a day.

Neutering can already be done to 8-week old puppies. However, animal shelters sometimes do it even if the puppies are just six weeks old. Dogs that are neutered before the onset of puberty can grow bigger compared to those dogs neutered after puberty. For dogs that are used for breeding, they can still be neutered after the dog has produced enough litter.

Benefits of Neutering a Dog

• A neutered dog can help in the increasing number of unwanted dogs. It is hard to look for new homes for puppies, which is also a reason why most of them end up in dog pounds. Animal shelters cannot accommodate all of these unwanted dogs. These shelters sometimes do not have a choice but get rid of those dogs by killing them. Thousands of homeless dogs are killed each year because overpopulation.
• A neutered dog does not roam around a lot.
  Neutered dogs are not as sexually active as unneutered dogs so they will not look for females that are on heat and just prefer to stay at home. They may still be attracted to female dogs nearby, but they cannot produce sperm, and cannot impregnate bitches. Dogs that are unneutered on the other hand can smell pheromones from female dogs and go wandering and roaming in the neighborhood.
• A neutered dog has less chance of having prostate and testicular cancer. Testosterone is produced in the testicles, and high levels of testosterone can cause health problems. High testosterone levels can also cause enlargement of the prostate which can lead to other complications.
• A neutered dog is less aggressive. High testosterone levels can cause a dog to be aggressive.
• A neutered dog is less territorial. Neutered dogs do not urinate in several places to mark their territories.