Neutering Your Dog - Responsible Dog Ownership Advice

Information, Education & Advice - Helping Dogs In Need

Neutering Your Dog:

You have probably heard of the term 'neutering'. If you haven't already had your pet neutered-please read through our guide and find out about the benefits of neutering your dog as well as the reasons not to breed your dog.

Neutering is the term given when a dog’s reproductive organs are surgically removed by a vet.

In the male dog, this is known as castration and involves the removal of the testicles.

In the female dog, this is known as spaying and involves the removal of the ovaries and uterus.

Thousands of pet dogs, from puppies to adults, are destroyed each year as there simply are not enough good homes to go round. The situation has reached a critical point for many breeds of dog, such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Bull Breed crosses, who due to their popularity, have undergone a population explosion resulting in the deaths of thousands of unwanted dogs each year.

By neutering your dog, you will be ensuring that you do not add to the pet population and bring more lives into a situation where there are far too many already.

Rescue centres are struggling to cope and you can help do your bit by neutering your dog.

Males - There are several known health benefits associated with castration. Firstly the risk of testicular cancer is virtually eradicated, secondly problems with the dog’s prostrate gland are reduced.
Castration can also help reduce unwanted behaviours, such as marking out territory (urinating in your home), mounting people/other dogs, cushions etc and aggression towards other males.

Females - Can develop an infection in the womb called Pyometra, this is a serious life threatening condition that will require urgent veterinary treatment, spaying your dog will prevent Pyometra as well as ovarian cysts.

Dogs not spayed are more likely to suffer with mammary cancer as they get older.

A female will come onto ‘heat’ or into ‘season’ twice a year, this will last for 21 days and during this time not only will your dog lose a bloody discharge in your home, her scent will also attract the attention of male dogs-eager to mate when the time is right. This can be a stressful time for both dog and owner.

Following a season, which lasts for 21 days, your bitch may go through what is called a ‘false pregnancy’, thinking that she is pregnant and displaying signs associated with pregnancy, e.g. nest building, producing milk, restlessness.

Spaying will prevent these situations and make life a lot easier for both your dog and you.

You can neuter your dog roughly from the age of six months and over. If your bitch has already had a season-your vet will advise you the best time to spay is around three months after the season has finished.

Neutering is normally a straightforward procedure; you will book your dog in at the vets, it is carried out under anesthetic and you can collect your dog the same day; your vet will be able to advise you further.

Costs vary depending on the vets and the area, some welfare groups offer free or cheaper neutering in certain areas.

No definitely not. There is no reason to do this-you are only producing more dogs into an already over populated population.

If that’s your incentive then you best think again. Pregnancy, birth and rearing of puppies are both highly expensive and very time consuming. There are so many dogs now available that their breeders cannot give them away in many cases. Rescues are often asked to take in puppies and youngsters when their breeder hasn't been able to sell them, or even give them away.

Q. I’ve got a lovely looking bitch, I want to mate her and some mates want one like her?

Rescue shelters are full of dogs just like yours, all lovely and once wanted. Taking on a dog is a serious commitment-if a friend wants to home a dog, there really is no need for you to try and breed your dog (which in itself can be risky to your bitch), just take a visit to your local rescue shelter and you’ll find many fantastic dogs who are in need of a good home.

Castration is often wrongly thought as a 'cure all' for a variety of doggie ‘problems’. - castration can help reduce behaviours as described above - it will take 3-6 months normally before changes are seen, due to the level of the male hormone testosterone inside your dog. It makes sense to act now and reap the possible benefits a few weeks down the line.

If you feel you are experiencing behavioural problems then it’s best to seek out some professional help and go from there, contact your vet for advice.

It also doesn’t hurt to start by looking at the basics; for example - your dog is ‘hyper’ – when was he last checked over by your vet, think about what are you feeding him on and whether is he getting enough physical exercise and mental stimulation each day ?

Some dogs can put on a little weight after neutering– but it shouldn’t be a problem, just adjust your dog’s diet and daycare accordingly. Your vet will be able to advise you should your dog’s weight ever become of concern to you.

Your dog is undergoing an operation and will be given stitches, both the surgery and the aftercare is normally straightforward and you will be given routine post operative advice from your veterinary surgery before you take your dog home.

Most dogs are back to their normal self the following day and need to be slowed down by their owners until their stitches are either removed or dissolve!

If you have any worries or questions always have a chat with your vet, or contact us as we have had many dogs neutered and can speak about the positive benefits this will bring to both your best friend and you.