Signs Your Dog Needs to be Neutered
We all want what’s best for our dogs, and it can be hard to find good advice sometimes. Neutering can be a sensitive topic among dog owners, and it can be hard to find out whether it’s the best option for you and your dog.
Let's go over some signs and behaviors that may indicate that it is in your dog’s best interests to be neutered, so that you can make an informed decision on their well-being.
What does it mean to get your dog neutered?
‘Neutering’ is the term used to describe the process of sterilizing male dogs. This means that the male dog’s testicles are removed, and he can no longer make puppies.
This is normally done shortly after they reach sexual maturity, but can also be done on adult male dogs at any point in their lives.
Sometimes this involves the full removal of the scrotum along with the testicles, but it can sometimes be a minimally invasive operation where the tubes are cut.
This is a surgical procedure done at a veterinary office. The process is almost always done under general anesthesia, and your dog should not feel any pain.
Dog owners can expect their male dogs to recover within a week or two.[1]
Behavioral signs your dog needs to be neutered
When male dogs reach sexual maturity, normally between 6 months to 1 year old, they will experience a rush of testosterone and begin exhibiting sexual behaviors such as becoming more territorial and seeking out female dogs.
Wandering
Male dogs tend to have a natural instinct to roam. An intact male dog’s sexual urges may make this desire especially strong.
The desire to roam might be so strong that your dog tries to jump your fence or run out of the house when they smell female dogs in heat.
Even if your dog is well trained, this instinct may cause intact dogs to put themselves in dangerous situations. They may pull you over or slip their leashes when walking, run out of public parks, run onto strangers’ property, and even go into dangerous areas such as high-traffic streets to find female dogs.
Neutered dogs no longer feel the intense desire to seek out a mate and are less likely to escape and hurt themselves.
If you are holding off on neutering for medical or other reasons, consider getting a good escape-proof harness to make escaping difficult. Sparkpaws makes a variety of adjustable harnesses with front and side D-rings to make having the leash yanked from your hand less likely.
Check out Sparkpaws’ Comfort Control No-Pull Dog Harness Collection.
Aggressive behavior
As male dogs reach sexual maturity, they may begin to get a lot more territorial. Signs your dog needs to be neutered may include increased growling towards you, other family members, or other dogs, as well as becoming aggressive when resource guarding their food or beds.
Unneutered male dogs may become aggressive toward other male dogs, trying to fight or dominate them. They may also harass and bully your female dogs in an attempt to mount them, even if your female dogs are spayed or not in heat.
Male dogs may even try mounting and humping other animals, male dogs, furniture, and so on to relieve their aggression and frustration.
They may also become more destructive when frustrated, such as chewing furniture, digging holes, and so on.
Neutering a dog lowers their testosterone, which will help curb their aggressive behavior. However, please note that neutered dogs are not going to magically become well-behaved or change your dog’s personality; proper training is still needed to stop bad behavior.
Marking behavior
Another reason many people get their dogs neutered is because of urine marking. Male dogs are more likely to begin peeing on everything as a way to mark their territory and let female dogs know where they are.
Even if they are house-trained, they may squirt a little pee on their bedding or other furniture.
In a study done by Cornell University, the majority of neutered dogs were shown to reduce their mean urination amount after neutering from 14% to 72%, based on the individual. This led to less urine marking in strange places.
Health benefits of neutering
While many people neuter their dogs to reduce behavioral problems, there may also be some medical signs that your dog needs to be neutered.
Ethical breeding
One of the biggest reasons to get your male dogs neutered is to reduce the risk of unwanted puppies and pet overpopulation.
Male dogs have no paternal desire to have or be around puppies, but they will breed out of instinct. This means more unwanted litters from female dogs that your dog has impregnated, ending up in shelters or looking for homes.
If your dog’s health is bad, or they have a genetic condition, then it is also ethical to stop them from reproducing with other dogs and passing their condition to their offspring.
Dogs do not care about incest. An intact male dog will breed with his close family members or even other female dogs that are in heat but are too young to safely carry puppies to term.
These inbred puppies are more likely to have genetic diseases or suffer from behavioral problems. If you have a male and female dog in the house, one of them needs to be neutered or spayed.
Reproductive health issues
Another benefit to neutered dogs is that they are less likely to suffer from reproductive health issues.
Testicular Cancer
Neutering male dogs removes their testicles, which protects them from developing testicular cancer when they get older. Testicular cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in older, unneutered males.
Pet owners should be on the lookout for signs of lethargy, swelling, and frequent mounting from other dogs due to increased estrogen. Testicular cancer can have a profound effect on your dog’s health and can easily spread to other organs.
Most vets will recommend neutering if testicular cancer is discovered, but you can prevent it from developing by neutering your dog early.
Enlarged prostate
The majority of male dogs will develop an enlarged prostate as they get older. This may not necessarily be cancerous, but can make your dog unable to relieve themselves without pain, pee more frequently, strain to poop, or have blood in their urine.
Since the prostate organ is inside your dog, neutered dogs can get prostate issues too. However, having your dog neutered reduces their testosterone production, which can reduce the likelihood of developing and the severity of prostate issues.[4]
Legal matters
It is the law in a number of American states that only neutered dogs are allowed to stay permanently without a breeding permit.
Make sure to check the laws in your state and any other state you wish to move to. Make sure to keep a good record of your dog’s medical procedures as well. Neutering early can save you time and stress if you are planning to move to one of these states.
Potential downsides to neutering
If you see signs your dog needs to be neutered but are worried about the consequences, you are not alone. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding neutering, despite all of the positives it brings.
Like any medical procedure, there is a risk of complications or infections. Always follow the vet’s instructions and pay careful attention to any signs of inflammation, fever, or pain that lasts more than a few days.
For some dogs, changing their hormones can cause an increased risk to joint health as they get older. You can decrease this by waiting a bit longer until they mature sexually before neutering.
Will neutering make my dog fat?
Neutering will not automatically make your dog fat. Though reducing testosterone levels can decrease metabolism and make them more prone to weight gain. You may have to change their diet or exercise needs.
Will my dog no longer guard if neutered?
No. Neutering may reduce aggressive behaviors, but the guarding instinct is not related to testosterone levels. They will still be protective over their territory and your family.
Neutering my dog too young will be dangerous?
Yes, there are certain risks to a dog’s behavior and development if you neuter them when they are still a small puppy. Most vets recommend neutering your dog when they are between 6 months to a year old and are entering their sexual maturity.
Conclusion
Neutering your dog can create many improvements in both behavior and health. It can help reduce unwanted behaviors like roaming, aggression, marking, and excessive mounting. While it won’t completely eradicate bad behavior, it can help curb aggressive tendencies and frustration.
To protect your dog and reduce the risk of roaming or aggression, consider getting them a non-pull harness.
Neutering also reduces the risk of some cancers, prostate issues, and other reproductive health issues. It also prevents unwanted puppies, pet overpopulation, and promotes ethical and controlled breeding, saving many lives from genetic diseases.
There are potential downsides, such as minor surgical risks, but these are rare. Concerns about weight gain or laziness are normally not a problem and can be controlled with lifestyle changes. Neutering should not interfere with your dog’s ability to guard or do any other activity.
Neutering your pets is a personal choice, but it is ultimately more responsible and kinder for the well-being of dogs everywhere.
We are sure you will make the best choice for your furry friend.
Happy Walking!
Ext Links
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com