From a health perspective, male dogs that aren't neutered can develop serious infections of the prostate, as well as testicular cancer and tumors, which can require invasive and expensive surgery. Unspayed female dogs can also cause a whole other set of problems — one big one being that they can get pregnant.
Spayed and neutered dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. Spaying female dogs and cats eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer. Neutering male dogs and cats reduces the incidence of prostate cancer.
On average dogs who are spayed or neutered live one and a half years longer than those who are not. Typically, dogs who are not fixed live to be about 8 years of age, where fixed dogs average about nine and a half years.
A University of Georgia study, based on the medical records of more than 70,000 animal patients, found that the life expectancy of neutered male dogs was 13.8% longer and that of spayed female dogs was 26.3% longer.
The Dangers of Neutering Before Puberty
Studies have concluded that neutering before puberty increases a dog's risk of: Cardiac tumors. Bone cancer. Prostate cancer.
Neutering your male dog can help prevent prostate problems and testicular cancer. It may also make your male dog less likely to run away from home. Non-neutered males will do anything to find a mate, and if they escape, they will gladly risk fights with other animals or injury in traffic.
The recommended age to neuter a male dog is between six and nine months. However, some pet owners have this procedure done at four months. Smaller dogs reach puberty sooner and can often have the procedure done sooner.
The recommended time to spay or neuter a dog is six to nine months. But if your dog is healthy, there is no specific age limit to having the procedure done.
Undesirable Behaviors with Unneutered Male Dogs
Unwillingness to obey commands; refusal to come when called; pulling on leash. Barking or lunging at passersby; fighting with other dogs. Pacing, whining, unable to settle down; door dashing, jumping, roaming, howling. Compulsion to roam while seeking females in heat.
This is a really common question, and (as usual…) the answer isn't straightforward. In general, however, neutering will have no effect on your dog's personality, but it may influence his mood and make some behaviours more or less likely.
Austad and Hoffman say spayed and neutered pets live longer, healthier, happier lives because they have fewer behavioral issues and they are less susceptible to infections, degenerative diseases, and traumatic/violent causes of death.
Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
"In general, a pet should be neutered as soon as he starts demonstrating naughty behaviors like being aggressive or dominant, marking territory, or trying to escape to find a mate," Nichols says.
Neutering keeps your dog healthier. A final positive aspect of neutering your dog is that neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Neutering is the removal of the testicles. Without these organs, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced.
Behavioral Effects: Desexed males show reduced libido, roaming, conspecific mounting, and urinary marking frequency, as well as reduced male dog-directed aggression in a majority of males desexed for behavioral reasons. There is a detrimental effect on the risk and progression of age-related cognitive dysfunction.
Indoor restlessness/irritability. Pacing, whining, unable to settle down or focus. Door dashing, fence jumping and assorted escape behaviors; wandering/roaming.
The most common type of altercation involves neutered males aggressing toward intact males. Neutered males smell like females. The scent of an intact male cause many neutered to react negatively toward them since intact males smell male.
It is widely – and falsely – believed that neutering “calms a dog down”. However, an adult or adolescent dog's basic temperament is relatively independent of testosterone, and neutering won't make any significant changes to his intelligence or personality.
Increased health risks: While both spaying and neutering come with certain health benefits, they also can lead to a higher risk of other ailments. Some studies indicate older dogs have an increased risk of cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia, incontinence, and tumor development after neutering or spaying.
That said, the average cost to neuter your dog typically runs between $50 – $500. Pre-existing health conditions and the age of your pet may make the procedure more costly. Sit down with your vet and explore your options surrounding the best time, place, and procedure for your pet.
The discomfort caused by spay or neuter surgeries usually only lasts a few days and should be gone after a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days you should contact your vet to get further advice.
If the dog is immature at the time of neutering, the empty scrotum will flatten out as he grows. If he is mature at the time of neuter, the empty scrotum will remain as a flap of skin. Sometimes the incision is mildly bruised.
Most dogs recover pretty quickly, usually within five to seven days for our males and maybe seven to 10 days for our females because it's a more invasive procedure. Then they are back to themselves and feeling better. We just try to keep them calm during that postoperative time so that they rest and feel better.
Anger. Confusion expresses itself as anger for a big percentage of male dogs. After neutering, they're going through pain as well as having a giant cone around their neck – not entirely comfortable! So, your male dog may become quite aggressive and angry because of this.
Yes. Throughout the surgery your dog will be unconscious and not feel any pain. Once your dog wakes up after the surgery, medication will be needed to help manage pain. Directly following the surgery, your vet will administer long-term pain medication via an injection which should last for about 12-24 hours.