If you have a male dog and don’t plan on breeding him, it may be advantageous to have him neutered. How does neutering your male dog affect him and what are the advantages of neutering your dog?
Neutering your dog involves removing both of your dog’s testicles. When the testicles are removed, your dog is no longer capable of producing sperm or the male hormone, testosterone.
The surgery is generally well tolerated by your dog and recovery time is often hours instead of days. The cost is usually fairly reasonable. If cost is a problem, there are a variety of spay and neutering clinics that can provide this service at a discounted price.
Many people have their dog neutered because they realize they will never breed him and want to cut down on the incidence of pet overpopulation. Other pet owners neuter their dog in an attempt to cut down on territorial aggression.
Neutering can be effective in reducing aggressive behavior if it’s done early in life, usually before the age of two years. After this time, your dog may have learned aggressive behavior which may be difficult to eliminate simply through neutering.
Most dog owners who neuter their dogs report some reduction in hyperactivity, although it’s a myth that neutering significantly changes your dog’s basic personality.
The Benefits of Neutering Your Male Dog
Neutering your dog can give him certain health benefits and protection against chronic disease. When you neuter your dog, he may have a reduced risk of:
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- Prostate enlargement
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- By removing the source of testosterone production, you significantly reduce the incidence of prostate enlargement which can cause problems with urine flow in a dog.
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- Tumors of the testicles
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- Neutering your dog also significantly reduce the risk of tumors of the testicles which are surprisingly common in dogs who haven’t been neutered.
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- Tumors of the anus
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- Anal tumors which can be quite painful to your dog are reduced by neutering.
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- Prostate cancer
The incidence of prostate cancer is also significantly reduced in your dog when you have him neutered.
- Prostate cancer
There’s also evidence that dogs that are neutered before the age of two years tend to have a longer life span.
When should you have your dog neutered?
Neutering can be performed any time after a dog is six months of age. It’s best to have this procedure done as soon after this time as possible if you want him to experience the benefits of reduced aggression and better socialization.
Should I Have My Older Dog Neutered?
If you have an older dog, is there any point in neutering him? Neutering your older dog can not only reduce the incidence of pet overpopulation, but may also reduce the incidence of the diseases previously discussed, depending on how old your dog is when the surgery is performed.
If your dog is older, you may want to ask your veterinarian if he or she believes your dog would still benefit from the neutering procedure.
All in all, neutering can benefit your dog from a health standpoint and may help to reduce the incidence of stray and unwanted dogs that’s such a problem in this country.