Health benefits of neutering dogs
Ask The Vet Home > Dogs > Dog Care > Neutering
Yes Yes Yes! In case you haven't heard me - yes! There are alot of health benefits to neutering your dog. It reduces the chances of certain medical conditions your dog could get to nearly zero therefore it does help your dog live longer, healthier lives (all things being equal).
The main benefits of neutering in male dogs :
1. Eliminates prostate problems - the prostate gland enlarges as a dog ages when it's under the influence of testosterone. This can result in constipation and makes it very uncomfortable for the dog. The prostate gland can also get infected which would inevitably mean the dog has to be neutered anyway to treat it.
2. It reduces aggression in male dogs - not always true but usually if an aggressive entire male dog is presented at a veterinary clinic, the first thing the vet will recommend is neutering.
3. It reduces wandering behavior and does seem to also reduce sexual drive (humping is less likely)
4. Neutered dogs are less driven to urine mark everything in sight.
5. There are already too many unwanted dogs in pounds and shelters, don't assume that just because you have a male dog that you're not adding to the problem - it takes 2 to tango - you are just as at fault if your male dog isn't neutered and sets about making the neighborhood females pregnant.
The main benefits of neutering in female dogs :
1. Eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and also greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, especially if your dog is neutered before her first heat.
2. No chance of neighborhood male dogs fronting up at your doorstep when she does come into heat
3. No mess - female dogs will spot blood during their heat - this could last up to 3 weeks.
4. No false pregnancies or infection of the uterus (pyometra) which can be life threatening.
5. Reduced incidence of mammary, ovarian and uterine tumors
Related Articles
|
Past dog health questions
|
- Sign Up for Membership $19.95/month
- Ask the online vet a question $8.95/question
- Find answers to common pet health and behavior questions $3.95/article
- Read up on previous ask the vet pet health questions for just $3.95
Vet question of the day
Add to
Cat moving house and not adjusting well
My cat and I moved into a new home. He now has three canine friends who he has spent time with before. One of the dogs was eating the felines stool, so I purchased the Purrforma self cleaning litter box. He would only urinate in it and chose to defecate on my side of the bed after 6 days. He attempted to defecate another time, I got him and placed him in the litter box, however that only worked once, and choose the bed again. Since then I purchased a new non automated litter box and returned him to his feline pine cat litter - that was two days ago and he has not eliminated anything sine. I have been leaving the bedroom door closed so he is not tempted. I'm just waiting for him to use it. any thoughts?
Should I lock him in a confined area until he uses it?
I need some advise or he might end up getting kicked out, and he is a special need cat as he has three fused lumbar (congenital defect.)
He is also doing an excessive amount of licking to the point where he has two balding patches. He just had an allergy shot 4 weeks ago. Should I inquire about behavioral modification type drugs?
- Click here to read the answerMore pet health questions
Pet Care Articles and Pet Supplies Deals
| Dogs - dog care | 
Sign
up for the Ask the Vet newsletter
- Click
hereWe're in the news! Read full article here. |
