Tips on why we recommend dogs are Neutered…

For or against…

We are going to discuss tips on why we recommend dogs are neutered. Some say yes, some say no

But do we even know what it is?

What is it?

Neutering or castration, simply put, is the surgical removal of a male dog’s testes. I know the men are wincing, right now…

The procedure is done at the vets and is performed under general anesthesia.

It is a simpler surgery than a spay. It requires an incision, which is made near the front of the scrotum. Then the testicles are removed through that incision.

The benefits

Reduction of certain health risks. Neutering can lead to a reduction in certain health risks for both female and male dogs. Unspayed females can develop a painful and life-threatening infection of the uterus called pyometra. Unspayed females are also at a higher risk of mammary tumors than females that have been spayed. Neutering a male dog prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk of other problems, such as prostate disease. A neutered male dog might also have less desire to roam.
May help with certain behaviour issues. In addition to reducing roaming in male dogs, neutering can often, though not always, help reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours. Behaviours such as leg lifting and mounting. Neutering may also decrease aggressive behaviour in some dogs.
Neutering won’t change your dog’s personality but it is likely to change sex hormone-driven behaviours. Many owners also report that their dogs are calmer after neutering.
Changes in metabolism can also occur. A slower metabolism means that your dog can gain excess weight easily after neutering, making it important to pay special attention to his nutritional needs to ensure that he doesn’t become overweight.
It is recommended that you switch to a healthier treats and really pay attention to their food and diet.

At what age should a dog be spayed or neutered?

These procedures can be done on puppies as young as a few months old. However, dog owners should consult with their vet to determine the best age to spay or neuter their pet.

There may be long term health benefits to spaying or neutering dogs after they have passed through puberty. Benefits to neutering after puberty can include a reduction in orthopedic health problems. Also a possible reduction in certain cancers in specific breeds and possible improved behaviour. More research is ongoing in this area to compare differences among breeds and size of dogs.

Many recommend for female puppies to be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the dogs have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.

If you elect to spay or neuter your dog, you should consult with your breeder and your vet to determine the most appropriate age for this surgical procedure.

Recovery time

If there are no complications or other health issues, male dogs can usually go home on the same day of the procedure.

The vet will discuss with you any pain medication and aftercare for your dog. They will probably recommend that you restrict his activity for a few days while the incision heals.

They may send your dog home with a protective collar to help keep him from licking the incision.

As with many surgeries, your vet might have you return for a follow up visit to see how the incision is healing and to remove the stitches.

Here at Rose Cottage

We insist on dogs being neutered due to the way we run Rose Cottage. Here your dog is FREE and not stuck in a kennel all day. This means we need to make sure your dog is able to socialise with other dogs.

As you may know, we have the agility paddock and the chill out lounge and it is important, to us, to know your dog is happy in the presence of other dogs. We don’t want your dog anxious or scared or making other dogs anxious or scared either. We want all of the dogs at Rose Cottage to be happy.

What if they are neutered?

If your dog is not neutered, please speak to our staff to discuss this. If they are under 12 months, we would happily do a trial day and see how your dog behaves around others and we can go from there.

If your dog is over 1 year old, we would insist on your dog being neutered before coming to Rose Cottage.

What we recommend

We need all our dogs to have learnt how to socialise around other dogs, so we would recommend getting a dog walker, who walks with other dogs. This will get your dog to become familiar with other dogs. Or try home boarding. Speak to our staff and we would happily recommend places to you.

Stay safe

If you want to treat your dog, there are sooo many safe ways you can. Healthy dog treats are available from us and we would love to help you look after your dog and keep them safe. But spoilt all at the same time!

Until next time…

Join me again for top tips and information on your dogs health. Look after your fur babies.

Love

Dawn, Lilly and Tucker 🐾