Is neutering the quick fix for pushy and aggressive male dogs? Many dog owners who can no longer control their testosterone-laden dog during puberty hope so. But avoiding heat bleeding in females also tempts some dog owners to have their bitches spayed. As a result, spaying has unfortunately become a routine procedure in many practices. But does neutering really do your dog any good?
Neutering dogs - a decision for the good of the animal?
According to the Animal Welfare Act, neutering an animal is only permitted if medically indicated or to prevent uncontrolled reproduction, as is the case with free-roaming cats. The German Animal Welfare Association also issued an announcement in 2017, which once again points out that "dogs may only be sterilized in individual cases and only after thorough consideration of the advantages and disadvantages for the individual. Thus, the general sterilization of dogs is also prohibited in Germany."(0)
Although it has now become common practice to neuter dogs on a whim, a rethink is slowly taking place, both among pet owners and vets. The number of doctors neutering dogs without any good reason is dwindling and dog owners are also questioning these measures.
This is because a hoped-for change in behavior is not a valid reason to have a dog neutered. In fact, it is often the case that behavioral problems increase after neutering. But this is just one of the other disadvantages that can develop later.
Disadvantages of neutering a dog
Possible disadvantages of castration do not always become apparent in the first few weeks after the operation, they can also only become noticeable a few years later. Side effects can include behavioral changes and aggression as well as a higher risk of tumors and other diseases.
A study from the USA involving 3062 purebred dogs showed that neutered dogs had a twofold higher risk of bone tumors than non-neutered dogs(1).
Another study, also from America, on the health effects of early neutered Labradors found that early neutered male dogs (up to 1 year of age) were twice as likely to have HD (hip dysplasia) and up to three times more likely to develop lymphosarcoma.(2) This may be due to the fact that castration disrupts their natural development and the dogs stop producing the important gonadal hormones (sex hormones) too early, which have an enormous influence on the animal's growth. Neutered dogs also have a higher risk of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) compared to their non-neutered counterparts(3).
Other common side effects of castration in dogs are obesity despite an adapted food ration, incontinence, increasingly also in females, as well as coat changes with a tendency to increased undercoat, hair loss or a dull, susceptible coat. It is also important to remember that this is still an operation under general anesthesia. Operations are never risk-free, even if they are routine procedures. Every operation and every anesthetic puts a strain on the dog's body, from which it must first recover.
Before deciding to have your dog neutered, you should weigh up the pros and cons. If you are unsure, it is a good idea to talk to your trusted vet. It also doesn't hurt to get a second opinion from a veterinary practitioner.
Reasons for neutering a dog
However, it cannot be denied that in some cases neutering is necessary and offers the four-legged friend a better quality of life. Some male dogs tend to have a very strong sex drive (medically: hypersexuality), so that they suffer greatly from their situation. This can be accompanied by excessive aggression and marked changes in behavior in the presence of females in heat. If the suffering of the four-legged friend is enormous, then this can be a valid reason for this procedure on the male dog. Other medical reasons for castration are
Medical reasons for male dogs:
- undescended testicles
- Prostate diseases
- Testicular tumors / perianal tumors
- Perineal hernia
Furthermore, the removal of the sexual organs in male dogs is very likely to prevent the formation of tumors on the testicles and anus. Both prostate enlargement and perineal hernias, which can occur in non-neutered dogs due to slackening of the connective tissue in the perineum, are less common in neutered male dogs. In addition, according to comparative studies, male dogs that have been neutered have a longer life expectancy.
There are also medical reasons to castrate females. Apart from unwanted reproduction and regular blood flow, this prevents false pregnancies and tumors on the sexual organs. The risk of breast cancer is significantly lower in spayed bitches.
Medical reasons in females:
- Pyometra (uterine suppuration)
- False pregnancies with behavioral abnormalities
- Tumors on the ovary or uterus
- vaginal prolapse
- Diseases that are influenced by sex hormones such as diabetes mellitus, vaginal tumors, hormonal skin diseases
- As prevention of mammary tumors
How does castration work in dogs?
Neutering is a procedure performed under anesthesia. As a rule, the owner brings his dog to the veterinary practice or veterinary clinic early in the morning on an empty stomach. The patient is then taken to the operating theater without the owner being present. The four-legged friend now has to go through this alone.
Anesthesia is induced first. Most vets use inhalation anesthesia, as this is the safest form of anesthesia. The dog is monitored by the medical team and connected machines during the induction of anesthesia and throughout the operation.
Castration procedure for male dogs:
- In male dogs, the testicles are removed through a small incision. The scrotum regresses after a while, so it is not necessary to remove the scrotum. It would only lead to a larger incision with a longer healing period.
Castration procedure for females:
- In females, the operation can be a little more complex, as both ovaries have to be removed and the fallopian tubes cut. In some cases, it may also be advisable to remove the uterus. This is decided depending on the case and the patient's condition.
- If only the fallopian tubes are severed, this is no longer a castration but a sterilization. Spayed females no longer go into heat, become pregnant or appear to be pregnant. Sterilized females, on the other hand, remain in heat, even if they can no longer reproduce.
After the procedure, the dog is monitored for some time to make sure that the anesthesia has no consequences. The four-legged friend can usually be picked up again by its owner in the afternoon. The vet will give him painkillers so that he hardly feels the wound healing.
It cannot be ruled out that the four-legged friend will still be slightly anaesthetized and a little wobbly on its feet for the rest of the day. This should subside the next day. If you want to have your dog neutered, you should be aware that this is also a surgical procedure. It involves injections, anesthesia and a short stay in hospital followed by medication.
Neutering or sterilization should always be discussed with your trusted vet and the pros and cons weighed up.
Alternatives to castration of the dog
A well-proven and frequently used castration chip is now available for male dogs. This chip is a good alternative to surgery. It allows you to test in advance how the dog would behave if it were neutered.
The chip contains an active substance that is released and makes the male dog unable to procreate. There are hardly any side effects and the duration of the application can be limited to 6 or 12 months. This test is particularly recommended for all dog owners who want to neuter their dog due to behavioral problems.
A similar chip is also available for bitches, but the effect is not yet as well proven and not much can be said about the side effects. This is why the chip is rarely used for bitches.
An alternative could be the "birth control pill", a preparation that suppresses the bitch's heat. However, both the effects and side effects have not been sufficiently researched. In addition, an increase in malignant tumors of the mammary glands is associated with this treatment. We therefore do not recommend its use.
Natural remedies to calm the dog
If anxiety, aggression, rivalry or hyperactivity and over-excited behavior are the reason why you want to neuter your dog, you can first try natural remedies to calm your four-legged friend.
Natural herbal mixtures: All-natural herbal mixtures have a relaxing and balancing effect and are made from tried and tested medicinal plants. AniForte® Calm&Relax is such a traditional herbal mixture and contains only purely natural raw materials such as valerian, hops, lemon balm and passion flower.
Bach flowers: Bach flowers are also a good way to calm your dog's behavior. Bach flowers for dogs are available for various behavioral problems. They have no side effects and are a good support for restlessness, aggression, fear or in unusual situations.
Hemp products: Hemp has been making a comeback for some time as a natural tranquilizer, both for humans and animals. Hemp also contains many minerals, important fatty acids and useful protein building blocks that have a positive effect on your pet's health. Hemp cookies for dogs are a practical alternative to oil and powder and can be given as a treat.
Conclusion
Neutering a dog often sounds simple and like a way to kill several birds with one stone. However, it is only a good idea in a few cases. The thought pattern "You're doing something good for the dog" is no longer valid due to increasing scientific findings and should be reconsidered. We recommend that both pet owners and vets carry out thorough research on the subject of neutering dogs before making a final decision. This can only be considered on an individual basis. Vets should focus less on the financial gain of the procedure and more on the welfare of the dog.
- (0) https://www.tierschutzbund.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Positionspapiere/Heimtiere/Unfruchtbarmachung_von_Hunden.pdf
- (1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9691849/
- (2) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0055937
- (3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8175472/
