Knutsford Vets offer a range of neutering services
Dog neutering (castration) has a range of benefits and is recommended for many pet owners that don’t have breeding ambitions for their male pups and young dogs. Positives of neutering include avoiding unwanted breeding and tempering their behaviour.
Behavioural benefits
When neutering a dog it is important to realise that it is not a direct cure for bad behaviour, but it can help reduce dominance and aggression in male dogs due to a reduction in testosterone. However, neutering will not help if a dog hasn’t had proper training and doesn’t get the right amount of exercise. Some dog breeds are all strong-willed and have a stubborn temperament and so neutering alone won’t be enough.
Unneutered males are more likely to treat female dogs like a potential breeding partner. This can result in them mounting other dogs, but also pillows and sometimes humans. Females in heat produce pheromones and unneutered males will sometimes go to extreme lengths to try and get to this female. Neutering puts an end to the need males have to get to females and the urge to hump things. However, dogs still need to be trained that these behaviours are wrong to ensure they know how to behave correctly.
Avoiding unwanted breeding
As a male dog owner, it’s important to recognise specific responsibilities. If a dog goes to great lengths to find a female that is in season this can lead to puppies. The level of abandoned and homeless puppies and dogs in the UK is already at an alarming amount and if the owner of the female dog is unable to look after the puppies, they could be abandoned.
An unexpected litter can lead to a poor upbringing for the puppies which could lead to bad socialisation which in turn could lead to an aggressive dog. Less unwanted puppies on a large scale can make it easier for already homeless dogs to find a loving home.
Medical benefits of castration
There are quite a few issues dogs can get if they aren’t neutered. In unneutered dogs past the age of 5, the risk of getting an enlarged prostate increases incredibly and it can become uncomfortable for them to urinate. Neutering also completely removes the risk of dogs developing testicular cancer, which can be life-threatening in older dogs.
Detriments of dog neutering
A neutered male dog can be at a greater risk of obesity if precautions aren’t taken. As neutering changes a dog’s hormone make up, their metabolism will change and so they don’t need to be fed the same or as much as they were fed before they were neutered. Making sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise and you are monitoring his weight will keep on top of this problem and prevent problems that come with obesity such as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.
It is important to remember that the benefits greatly outweigh the drawbacks of dog neutering. Here at Knutsford Veterinary Surgery we recommend that you get your dog neutered before he reaches sexual maturity at six to nine months of age. That way, he’s unlikely to develop unwanted habits. Call 01565 337999 to enquire or feel free to pop in to see our experienced veterinary team in Knutsford.
