This practice was embraced by … 1. We hope these findings provide evidence-based guidelines for deciding the right age to neuter a puppy to reduce the risk of one or more joint disorders.”, – Prof. Benjamin Hart from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (source). Spaying your dog prevents your female canine from getting pregnant. The Humane Society of the United States cites that 6 to 8 million pets are brought to animal shelters every year: The numbers of domesticated pets in the US are growing, and so do the numbers of animals brought into shelters, which clear pose a huge issue on many different levels. In the UK vets routinely perform an ovariohysterectomy where both the uterus and ovaries of bitches are removed. While others say that early spaying & neutering is too aggressive and spaying a dog after first heat is better as it will actually damage your pet’s health and shorten their lifespan if done too early. Spaying is a general term for the sterilization of a female animal, in this case, a dog. Dog owners will usually have their puppies spayed or neutered around the age of 6 months or earlier. However, most of these complications are not serious health issues and they do have a very low death rate. Even though terms neutering and spaying are used in veterinary medicine, most often the term “neuter” will refer to the removal of reproductive organs in the dog for both sexes. Science on Pros and Cons of Neutering or Spaying Your Dog, When in heat, a female dog can have bloody discharge that will stain her coat and your furniture, her own dog bed or dog crate. Also, when animals get older, they have a tendency to get prostate, ovary, uterus or testicle problems. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. The surgery is still highly recommended by vets for a variety of different reasons, but now we need more evidence than we currently have. The problem is real, however. Desexing itself does not cause obesity. The Best Tips to Help You Care for Your Pet Chinchilla, Mental Stimulation in Dogs: A Matter of Games. Neutered dogs are less likely to have the desire to roam as well. When caring for a pregnant dog, you should expect an increase in your vet bills and dog food and care supplies. In North America, most animal shelters, veterinary clinics and humane societies highly recommend (read: force) pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs so as to prevent further problems to an already huge overpopulation of domestic animals. Very often, spayed female dogs start gaining weight at an increased rate after the procedure, most likely due to changes in metabolism and hormonal structure. 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The gibbon is a hominoid, just like humans, chimpanzees, or…, Can you imagine a cat that looks wild but is as cuddly and friendly as the most adorable domestic cat?…, The production of water buffalos (Bubalus bubalis) has proven to be one of the most successful branches of cattle farming…. When in heat, a female dog can have bloody discharge that will stain her coat and your furniture, her own dog bed or dog crate. The causes are not yet known, but in some cases sterilized female dogs are desired by males in heat. All rights reserved. Both spaying and neutering has their advantage and disadvantage. Although several methods for spaying dogs exist, the term generally refers to a surgical procedure. Pros Of Dog Neutering Although there are many advantages to sterilizing your dog, there are also disadvantages to be taken into account. Early spaying triples the risk of bone cancer, a deadly cancer that mostly occurs in large and giant dogs. Decide what is best for your pet, because your duty is to ensure their wellbeing. Early spaying causes the leg bones to grow unevenly. In the most basic sense, it is far less expensive to have your dog spayed to prevent canine pregnancy than it would be to have her get pregnant and get a litter of puppies. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in spayed or intact females. What Are the Benefits of the Sun For Pets? Your dog may also become lethargic, tired and start losing hair. However, most of these complications will not be very serious with a very low death rate. Therefore spaying or neutering your dog can be more convenient in this regard. These rodents have managed to win over many…, Given that the reproductive cycle of dogs is very similar to that of humans, there are many who wonder whether dogs go through menopause. In no sense is this information intended to provide diagnoses or act as a substitute for the work of a qualified professional. Your dog is much less likely to run away or to accidentally sire puppies on a female dog in heat. Neutering is the de-sex procedure of male dogs where their testicles (or gonads) are removed. Post-operative care is critical for the senior dog. RELATED: How Neutering Dogs May Lead to Cognitive Impairments. Breast cancer is particularly dangerous, resulting in death for about 50% of canine cases. You are asking if spaying your dog Paris is the best thing for her. While you may not have to shoulder any of the responsibility of the new litter, if you choose to help, there is the cost of pet food and veterinary care bills. Low thyroid levels in a female canine will result in weight gain and obesity which is difficult to fight even with adequate diet. Based on research, there are cases of hypothyroidism that is reported, mostly on dogs that were spayed before their first heat. In the most basic sense, it is far less expensive to have your dog spayed. The cons of spaying her are, it cost Regular exercise will also be needed as well as constant monitoring to see how this program has affected your pet. Based on all the scientific data, it is clear that early neutering has more cons than pros. I can only think of two disadvantages of spaying a dog. Spaying your dog will eliminate the risk of your female dog developing cancer of her uterus, cancer of ovaries or reproductive tract. Scientific reports state that when games are played…, The benefits of the sun for pets are many, and very necessary ones too. Here are a few: A few cases have shown that when a dog is sterilized he is likely to suffer from hypothyroidism. Having a dog in heat when. This is different to the hysterectomy operation performed in people. Both neutering and spaying refer to the most common methods of sterilization of animals, most often used with dogs, but many other animals go through this as well. If it’s performed sooner, these veterinarians reasoned, surgical gonadectomy (aka, spaying and neutering) might just be … Many pet advocates, veterinarians, experts, humane societies and even lawyers agree that it is irresponsible to allow your male dog to breed with strange female dog mostly because of the current overpopulation of not just dogs, but also cats and other pets. Most commonly cited two main reasons for spaying or neutering a dog are: Overpopulation of dogs. Most of the perceived disadvantages are false. This is done before dogs come into puberty (i.e. When a dog is desexed it requires a full anaesthetic. This type of cancer can affect a dog’s spleen and heart. The only disadvantage to desexing is the drop in metabolic rate. The age at which a dog is sterilized should be considered. Finally, abnormal vulvas can trap bacteria and cause dermatitis, vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, all of which should be considered. The sense of competition with other males will no longer be there, and he won’t feel the need to mark his territory so much. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. Neutering is the removal of testicles of male dog or cat. But that said, the most important thing to keep in mind is to do it at the right time. I also recommend listening our editor Samatha's recent podcast episode on the pros and cons of neutering/spaying dogs and how people view this all-important surgery (below). Spayed and neutered Golden Retrievers are more likely to develop hypothyroidism. The reason for all these bone and join related diseases is because male dog's reproductive organs are responsible for producing a sufficient amount of hormones and helping with the development of those body parts. They are not going to develop a serious uterine infection common in older female dogs called pyometra, which required emergency spaying with a seriously ill patient. When these organs are removed, you will have less things to worry about in terms of your dog's health. As one more than 50% of dogs and almost 85% of cats are prone to this. Issues can include an enlarged prostate in dogs, prostate cysts and prostate infections. The actual removal of male dog's testicles is called Castration. Since neutering your dog involves removing the main source of testosterone, it can help mellow out your male dog, according to research (9). Know that you're not alone in this, because many pet owners are given conflicting information on whether neutering and spaying dogs is necessary, and whether it's good or bad for their health. If you decide to find homes for your new puppies, that may prove to be much harder than you think. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guard dog. Three methods of spaying all have their pros and cons In veterinary medicine, one very common surgical procedure is the ovariohysterectomy, more commonly known as a “spay.” This procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus down to the cervix to prevent a female pet from reproducing. Your dog urinating in the house to mark his territory will be a problem of the past if you sterilize him. Therefore, there's a chance that your male canine will react poorly to anesthesia itself and as previously indicated, 1 in 5 dogs may have further health complications after surgery under general anesthesia. Experts used to believe based on previous studies that not only does neutering help in reducing unwanted behaviors in a dog, but it also helps in reducing prostate problems and improving dog's testicular health. Often a dog will even mark inside your home. It's no secret that cats don't like water. She will also be a much cleaner, calmer and more affectionate dog, according to veterinarians. They are unlikely to develop breast cancer, anal cancer, uterine cancer, or ovarian cancer. With client education and marketing, our profession has succeeded in making early spay-neuter programs our national custom, primarily for control of the population explosion. Many dog owners find themselves contemplating on this decision for a while, and rightfully researching the Internet for all kinds of answers to common sense questions: Rest assured, these are all valid concerns of a responsible pet owner, and I will try to address of all of them using evidence and expert opinions on the matter. Spaying a female dog means removing … Shelter medicine experts developed the concept of ultra-early neutering of kittens and puppies before adoption. In addition, you won’t need to stop as much when he’s with you in the car. © 2021 My Animals | A blog on tips, care and everything related to the world of animals. The most quoted of these are that the dog will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guard dog. The dog will not spray your furniture/places in your house. Animals, like people, have trouble controlling their bladder when they get older. Moving along, male dogs can sometimes experience the case of skin disease known as perianal fistula, or anal fistula. Spaying also … If it is done before five months, the possibility of developing sarcoma is very high. It reduces the risk of prostate and cancer problems. provide complete information about Advantage of spaying and neutering,dog neutering side effects,early spay and neuter of dogs,health advantages of spaying and neutering your pet ,dog spay recovery,feline early neutering,post spay problems in dog,age to spay a dog… Neutering and spaying of dogs are done under general anesthesia, so your canine won't feel a thing when a surgical incision is performed. Footnotes, study citations and further reading: READ NEXT: 15 Cheap Ways To Prevent Most Common Health Issues in Dogs. By regulating your dog’s diet and caloric intake, you can prevent obesity in neutered or intact males. The role of female hormones in preventing obesity is poorly understood. Also, a neutered dog will have a reduced level of aggression and dominate behavior. Here are the benefits of. What is involved in desexing a dog? This leaves your dog more vulnerable to hip dysplasia and torn ligaments. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. Testicular cancer can also be eliminated by neutering. The role of female hormones in preventing obesity is poorly understood. It has been observed in the above discussed studies that spaying your dog increases the risk of deadly canine cancers, including lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. It will also help in keeping a dog from chasing a female in heat. There is also a small risk of death during birth or right after. This means that less food is required to maintain the same body weight. Much like older humans, hospital stays and surgeries take a little more toll on them than they do on younger dogs. One may argue that the term “fixing” a dog may be misleading or even ironic, since the evidence on whether it should or should not be done is not conclusive. Because of the lower level of testosterone and less aggression, neutered canines tend to be more affectionate and gentle than those that haven't been “fixed.” It also helps in protecting your male from non-neutered male dogs seeing him as a rival. Prostate problems can occur in 80% of non-neutered males, based on one study (10). Colloquially, neutering doesn't necessarily mean that it applies to male dogs alone. First-time dog owners are likely to have many questions about spaying and neutering procedures, from the risks involved to how much they will cost. However, there are also definite and proven advantages to fixing your dog, making a good decision in this matter very complicated and difficult to make. However, just like with research on the pros of neutering a dog, evidence for the cons of neutering dogs in general is still not conclusive and requires more biological research. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. Finally, neutering keeps your dog from breeding, as I have mentioned above. Two, it is a surgery and requires special care and recovery time. Early spaying causes urinary incontinence in up to 20% of spayed females. If neutered, the risk is highly reduced. (male dogs), 1 PRO of neutering your dog: Reduction of “Male” Behavior, 2 PRO of neutering your dog: Better Prostate Health, 3 PRO of neutering your dog: Control of Breeding, 1 CON of neutering your dog: Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain, 2 CON of neutering your dog: Dementia and Bone Problems, 3 CON of neutering your dog: Risks of Anesthesia, How Neutering Dogs May Lead to Cognitive Impairments, Podcast on Pros & Cons of Neutering/Spaying Dogs, 30 Myths That Many Dog Owners Still Believe, 15 Cheap Ways To Prevent Most Common Health Issues in Dogs, Cataracts in Dogs: 5 Ways to Prevent and Treat Them, Blue-Eyed Beauties: 11 Blue-Eyed Dog Breeds, Most Popular Egyptian Dog Breeds in the United States. A lot of dogs have a tendency to run away in search of females in heat, and vice versa. Neutering your male will help to reduce his obsession with this behavior. If he gets loose, he will try to track down the scent. Most dog owners will need to start feeding their dogs substantially less often, put them on a weight loss diet, use low-calorie foods and healthy dog treats. In this article, I will take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of spaying and neutering dogs based on what veterinarians say as well as the most current research. After we've taken a look at all the pros and cons of spaying or neutering your dog, it's clear that we still need more conclusive evidence on how to view this procedure and whether it's essential to fix your dog. That means your dog will never be able to become pregnant and there's no going back with this. ny complications during the pregnancy period of your dog may also result in even more veterinary care bills and addition health risks for the newborn puppies. Since they are more mellow and not seeking a female in heat, they are more calm and stay closer to home. Spaying your dog eliminates the risk of an infection of the womb (called pyometra), which studies show affects up to 25 per cent of un-neutered bitches and can be fatal. READ: 15 Tips on Dog Pregnancy and Whelping. There has been a number of studies coming out over the last five years that show how neutering and spaying dogs may actually be extremely bad for their health. Even though these types of cancers are already very uncommon (6) for female dogs to develop throughout their lives, many veterinarians advise that it's still a very valid reason to proceed with spaying your dog, and it doesn't hurt to be safe. It can be a hard decision, because while there are advantages in terms of health and behavior, there are also some drawbacks. One, you want to breed the dog. Breeding, whether intentionally or accidentally, can become a largely financial and time-consuming burden for dog owners, which also comes with health risks and responsibilities. Statistically, it used to be that there are more pros than cons to making the decision of neutering or spaying your dog. Again, same as with spaying your dog, neutering a male canine means that your pet will have to go through surgery which requires anesthesia. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Spaying or neutering is one of the most responsible ways dog owners can care for their pet. A sterilized dog will not have this problem in most cases. If your bitch is suffering from pyometra and needs to be spayed as part of treatment, this will be more expensive than spaying a healthy dog. Weight gain and dog obesity issue can be avoided by using an adequate amount of regular exercise, understanding dog food and proper nutrition and otherwise providing your female canine with a healthy and stress-free lifestyle. Veterinarians like me constantly encourage pet guardians to have their female dogs spayed to avoid several life-threatening diseases, including pyometra (infection of the uterus) and mammary tumors (breast cancer). Advantage: Spaying gives a healthier life to a female pet as spaying helps to prevent breast cancer, uterine infections which are very harmful. Discover 5 Species that Inhabit the Amazon River. Dogs will also stop being aggressive with other dogs, because testosterone, which is the cause of aggression in males, is no longer a problem. LISTEN: Podcast on Pros & Cons of Neutering/Spaying Dogs. It has been like this for decades. Similarly to spaying your dog as a female, neutered male dogs can experience the case of hypothyroidism, and studies have shown that neutering will almost triple the risk of obesity, as was discussed above. Let's take a look at the consensus of the pros and cons of spaying and neutering dogs. Veterinarians usually call this procedure either de-sexing dogs, or fixing dogs. Some states even require by law to spay or neuter dogs before they can be adopted. Neutering and spaying are also performed for many other animals, but dogs are the most common recipients of this unpleasantly sounding surgical procedure. Males are castrated whereby the testicles are surgically removed. Or some veterinary practices p… Other common issues, such as infections or cysts, are reduces as well. However, most recent research has been calling this surgical procedure into question as more evidence emerges. There are options of a midline approach – your dog will go home with a wound on her belly with the stitches on the outside or the inside. Obesity is probably the most commonly quoted disadvantage of spaying. A typical story is the older female dog who wets her bed when deeply asleep. The more heat periods she has, the greater will be the risk that she may be developing breast cancer. Furthermore, any complications during the pregnancy period of your dog may also result in even more veterinary care bills and addition health risks for the newborn puppies. Here's a quick science-based overview of what we know today: With this new research and more on the horizon, veterinarians and scientists are beginning to reconsider their stance on neutering and spaying dogs. 1 CON of spaying your dog: Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain Because your dog's endocrine system is affected, one of the more known side effects of … Disadvantages of spaying or neutering your dog. To know an enlarged prostate in dogs have this problem in most cases he ’ s to... That there are many, and then try to track down the scent main reasons for spaying exist... Dog calms down males in heat their wellbeing neutering or ‘ spaying ’ a female in heat and. When leaving her alone in the most common questions that pet parents have about spay. 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