Neutering is an operation carried out by a vet to prevent dogs from breeding or having puppies. It's known as castration for male dogs and spaying for female dogs. Neutering provides a range of benefits for both you and your dog. And it's an important part of keeping them happy and healthy. Here’s all you need to know about neutering dogs.

What does neutering involve?

Preparation: involves premedication and anaesthetic. The vet gives your dog an injection of premedication to make them feel sleepy and relaxed. They are then given a second injection, which causes them to fall asleep for the general anaesthetic.

Surgery for male dogs: The vet makes a cut into the skin close to the scrotum and removes the dog's testes, the parts that make sperm and male hormones.

Surgery for female dogs: The vet makes a cut in the abdomen (tummy) and removes the ovaries, which produce eggs and female hormones. The vet usually also removes the womb, where puppies would grow. Keyhole surgery is an option where only the ovaries are removed, although this is not routinely available in most vet practices.

Recovery: The vet places stitches to repair the site of the operation. The stitches may be buried under the surface of the skin, so you don't see them. Vets will also give your dog a painkiller injection at this time. This should last for 24 hours. Most dogs will go home the same day but will need to rest and heal for longer.

Home care: Vets usually provide a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller to start the following day. Your recovering dog needs to have strict rest until the stitches come out.

Are there alternatives to an operation for neutering dogs?

There are no effective long-term alternatives to an operation. There is an implant that is licenced for male dogs that can suppress male hormones and male behaviours for 6–12 months, depending on the implant's strength.

What are the benefits of neutering dogs?

Worldwide, the most important benefit of neutering is population control, reducing the number of homeless and abandoned dogs.

There are around 100,000 dogs in UK rehoming and rescue centres. Not to mention the countless sad cases advertised on social media by rescue shelters abroad. And these dogs are the lucky ones. They’re safe and at least have a chance of finding a new home. Many more live miserable existences in towns and cities as unwanted strays.

Individual benefits of neutering dogs

The individual benefits of neutering will depend on your dog’s sex (boy or girl), their lifestyle and how old they are when they’re neutered. As well as any health concerns they might have.

Male dogs

• Reduces aggression towards other dogs.

• Reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies.

• Reduces male behaviours, for example, urine marking and mounting.

• Prevents behaviour challenges when a nearby female dog is in season: escaping, restlessness, whining and barking, inappropriate mounting behaviour, loss of appetite.

• Reduces the risk of prostate disease: non-cancerous prostate enlargement is present in over 95% of dogs over 9 years old and can lead to a number of health problems.

• Prevents testicular cancer.

Female dogs

• Prevents unwanted pregnancies.

• Prevents harassment and injury by unneutered male dogs.

• Stops messy problems with bleeding during seasons or ‘heats’.

• Neutering your dog before 2 years old reduces the risk of mammary tumours. These are among the most common tumours in female dogs and 50% will be malignant or cancerous. Neutering before her first season reduces the risk by around 85%.

• Prevents pyometra, a life-threatening womb infection.

Facts and myths

• Fact: Your female puppy can get pregnant in the first season at 6-12 months old if she escapes the house or lives with an unneutered male dog.

• Myth: ”Brothers and sisters won't mate.” Any unneutered male dog will mate with any unneutered female dog and vice versa.

• Myth: “Female dogs should have at least one litter before they are neutered." There is no health basis to support this. Quite the reverse. Pregnancy and nursing risk health problems that can be costly and potentially life-threatening.

What are the risks associated with neutering dogs?

Neutering is the most common operation carried out in vet practices. And the risks are very small. Nevertheless, all operations carry a small risk for humans as well as dogs.

• Anaesthetic complications range from sickness to unexpected death. The risk of not surviving an anaesthetic in dogs is around 1 in 10,000. To put this into perspective, around 60,000 dogs die on UK roads every year.

• Stitch reactions: occasionally, dogs have an allergic reaction to their stitches. Any time from days to weeks after the operation.

• Wound infections: usually caused by licking.

• Wound breakdown: often caused by too much activity too soon after surgery.

• Bleeding: this is a common complication and can happen if the ligatures in the blood vessels slip. Your dog may need surgery again to fix this.

How to reduce risks

• Keep your dog slim, with a healthy body condition. Obesity increases anaesthetic and surgery risks.

• Follow your vet's instructions carefully, before and after the operation.

• Use a cone/doughnut collar or a special body suit to protect the wound from licking or biting.

• Don't let your dog jump up or on and off the sofa for 1-2 weeks after surgery.

• Keep to short lead walks or the garden.

• Call a vet if the wound looks red, swollen or weeping. Or if you have any concerns about your dog’s recovery in the days or weeks after an operation.

Do dogs gain weight after neutering?

Yes, it’s true that many dogs gain weight after neutering. This happens for 2 reasons:

• Increased appetite may start within 2 days of neutering.

• Burning up less energy.

Obesity (being 20% or more over ideal weight) is one of the most common health problems in dogs. Around half of UK dogs are overweight or obese. And obesity contributes to serious diseases such as diabetes, arthritis and even cancer.

No, it is not unavoidable!

• As owners and pet parents, we have the option and responsibility to keep dogs at a healthy weight and body condition.

• Feed a balanced complete diet. Diets for ‘sterilised’ or ‘neutered’ dogs are less calorie-dense to combat weight gain.

• Check your dog’s weight and body condition score at least once a month.

• Work with your vet or practice weight clinic for ongoing health and weight management.

Are there disadvantages to neutering dogs?

Neutering offers important advantages for health and reducing the numbers of homeless and abandoned pets. However, vets no longer make ‘blanket’ recommendations for neutering - whether or not to neuter and the best age to do so. There are special considerations to take into account for large dogs, certain breeds and some health concerns.

Size: Postpone neutering large and giant breeds until they are skeletally mature (12 months or more). Neutering can interfere with the development of your dog's skeleton and joints.

Breed: New research suggests that neutered male Golden retrievers may be more at risk of a type of cancer called lymphoma than entire (unneutered) males. Although neutering generally increases the life expectancy of dogs by up to 20%, it may reduce the life expectancy in Rottweilers by 1-1.5 years.

Behavioural challenges: Neutering male dogs reduces aggression towards other dogs. But it may worsen fear aggression towards strangers in both male and female dogs.

Health: Bitch puppies with any signs of incontinence or juvenile vaginitis (an inflamed vaginal causing signs that look like cystitis) should not be spayed until after their first season. Neutering any female puppy before 7 months old increases the risk of urinary incontinence.

Vets won’t usually advise neutering puppies before 6-7 months old unless there are strong arguments to justify this for your puppy’s health.

How much does it cost to neuter a dog?

The cost of neutering a dog in the UK varies depending on where you live and the type of procedure needed. If you adopt a dog from a reputable rescue centre, they will be neutered, vaccinated and vet checked already. Or come with a voucher for neutering when they are old enough. It’s part of the adoption fee, which also goes to help other dogs in need.

Neutering is one of the preventive health measures to keep your dog happy and healthy at home. But there’s no one-size-fits-all advice for neutering in dogs. So talk to a vet for advice about what’s best for your dog.

Experienced Joii Vets are available online 24/7, 365 days a year for helpful and friendly advice.