Benefits of Neutering a Male Dog
Neutered Dogs Experience Both Health and Behavioral Benefits
Apr 24, 2009
Owners of male dogs often are undecided over the issue of whether or not to neuter their pet. Many are unaware of the benefits neutering their male dog may generate.
What Exactly does Neutering Involve for the Male Dog?
Neutering a male dog involves surgically removing both testicles. The surgical procedure is also sometimes referred to as a castration.
Neutering a male dog involves placing the dog under general anesthesia in order to perform the surgery. The use of a general anesthetic and proper pain medications ensures that the dog will feel no pain associated with the neuter.
Health Benefits Derived from Neutering the Male Dog
There are a number of health benefits which will result from neutering the male dog.
- Neutered male dogs have a lower incidence of prostate problems as they get older. Potential prostate problems which may be avoided include enlargement of the prostate gland, infection of the prostate gland and cancer of the prostate gland. In fact, intact dogs experiencing prostate problems may need to neutered to help correct the prostate issue.
- Male dogs which have been neutered have a significantly lower risk of developing perineal hernias. Perineal hernias are caused by weakened muscles in the area adjacent to the anal region. Intestinal contents may be able to pass through this weakened muscle layer leading to the risk of strangulation of the protruded intestinal contents, a potentially fatal occurence.
- Neutering a male dog also decreases the risk of certain types of cancers, including peri-anal cancers, prostate cancers and testicular cancers.
Behavioral Benefits Derived from Neutering the Male Dog
Neutered male dogs also tend to be better behaved than intact male dogs in many different ways.
- Male dogs which have been neutered do not tend to be distracted as easily by sexually oriented activities. As a result, neutered male dogs are often able to focus more intently on the tasks being asked of them, making training the neutered male dog easier than training an intact male dog.
- Neutered male dogs tend to wander away from home less often as they are not usually lured away by the scent of a female in heat.
- Neutering a male dog may make the dog less aggressive.
- Neutering a male dog may calm the dog and make him less hyperactive. However, it is important to remember that a healthy young dog should by nature be active and playful. Neutering will not override normal puppy behaviors or the natural curiosity and exuberance of a young adult dog.
Other Benefits of Neutering a Male Dog
Every year, countless unwanted puppies and adult dogs are euthanized because of the inability to find good homes for them. This importance of neutering to reduce this pet over-population problem should not be overlooked.
