Neutering of dogs

Pros

Maintaining health. In sterilized animals, the risk of various diseases is significantly reduced. In males – testicular cancer and a benign tumor of the prostate, in bitches – oncology of the breast, uterus and ovaries, as well as inflammation of the tissues of the uterus. It is important that the bitch is operated on before the age of 2,5 years – so the likelihood of cancerous tumors is reduced even more. Spayed dogs also have a reduced risk of perianal fistulas, diabetes, and hormonal disorders.

Stable psyche. A sterilized dog is less aggressive, it does not have emotional swings and a sharp change in mood. Such animals have a more stable and strong psyche, which means they are calmer, more obedient and more amenable to training.

Freedom of movement. The owner does not depend on the physiological changes in the dog’s body that occur during certain periods of its life. Walking a pet, taking it on a trip, leaving it in a hotel or with relatives for a couple of days – in all situations, the owner should not be afraid of the unpredictable or inappropriate behavior of his pet.

Arguments against

Decreased hormone levels. After surgery, the level of certain hormones, such as testosterone, decreases in the dog, which stimulates growth and protein synthesis, muscle development and calcium deposition in the bones. First of all, this problem concerns males.

Weight gain. After sterilization, the animal becomes calmer and more balanced. Accordingly, it needs fewer calories. If you feed your pet in the same way as before the operation, he may begin to gain weight. Obesity provokes the occurrence of diabetes, heart failure, problems with the intestines and urination. But these problems are not connected with sterilization as such, but with the wrong maintenance of the dog, which must be changed. It is desirable to reduce the amount of food consumed by 20%, and, on the contrary, increase the duration of walks and their intensity.

Untimely operation. Some owners sterilize their pets after the first mating. This is a common mistake. In males, behavior changes significantly after mating, the negative manifestations of which cannot always be corrected after surgery. In females after a single birth, the risk of oncology increases. During pregnancy, processes are launched in the dog’s body that radically change the physiology of the animal, so she either should not give birth at all, or should do it regularly.

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15 2017 June

Updated: July 6, 2018