Spaying or neutering your pup prevents unwanted pregnancies and helps curb undesirable behaviors. Additionally, these procedures reduce the risk of your dog developing certain diseases. Our vets discuss the basics of getting your puppy spayed or neutered in this post.
What is the difference between neutering and spaying?
Spaying and neutering are also commonly referred to as getting your dog "fixed." There are significant and important differences between spaying and neutering procedures. Here are the facts about each operation.
Neutering Male Dogs
Neutering is often referred to as castration and involves removing your male dog's testicles, along with the associated internal structures. After this procedure, your dog won't be able to reproduce. Alternative options for male dogs, like vasectomies, aren't typically performed.
Spaying Female Dogs
Spaying involves removing a female dog's reproductive organs, either via ovariohysterectomy (the removal of the ovaries and uterus), or ovariectomy (removing the ovaries only).
Your spayed dog will no longer be able to go into heat (be fertile) or become pregnant after a spaying procedure.
Why should I get my dog fixed?
If you've recently brought home a puppy or young dog, you might be considering whether you should have them spayed or neutered. This decision is especially important if you plan to walk your dog on a leash or keep them in your garden or backyard.
Having your dog fixed offers various advantages, like improved health and better behavior. You may also potentially save money, since you won't have to pay costly fees involved in the pregnancy and birthing process.
Additionally, you will avoid contributing to the overpopulation of unwanted pets in your community. Millions of dogs end up in animal shelters across the United States every year. The more this can be avoided, the better.
Benefits of Spaying Female Dogs
Having your female dog spayed offers many advantages, including the following.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Spaying your female dog before her first "heat" can reduce the risk of diseases like breast tumors and uterine infections, which can lead to cancer.
Financial Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Preventing the birth of unwanted puppies helps you save money. While you must pay a fee for the spaying procedure, it's much cheaper than the expenses involved in taking care of a pregnant dog and her litter of puppies or calling in a vet to supervise the birthing process if required.
Deciding Not to Spay Your Female Dog
When female dogs are not spayed, they enter a reproductive stage (heat). During this period, male dogs will be attracted to your female dog for up to 18 days. This may result in unwelcome interactions between your female dog and male dog during walks or when she plays in your yard, and it can also lead to unwanted litters of puppies.
Benefits of Neutering Male Dogs
As with spaying female dogs, when you neuter your male dog you help to reduce the population of unwanted dogs in the United States.
Health Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering your dog has several benefits. It reduces the chance of them developing testicular cancer and lowers the risk of prostate diseases, which can be serious. Neutering also prevents unwanted behaviors and conditions such as perineal tumors and hernias.
Behavioral Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Neutering can control your dog's urge to wander and potentially decrease behaviors like mounting and aggression towards other dogs.
Deciding Not To Neuter Your Male Dog
Unneutered male dogs often exhibit several undesirable behaviors. These can include displaying territorial behavior, being overly protective of toys and people, showing aggression towards other dogs, and roaming, especially when searching for female dogs.
When to Get Your Puppy Fixed
Puppies are usually spayed or neutered when they are between five and nine months old. Even adult dogs can undergo this procedure. It's best to consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate time to get your dog spayed or neutered.
What to Expect When Getting Your Puppy Fixed
Your veterinarian will give you detailed instructions before your pet's surgery. These instructions will include guidelines for restricting your pet's food and water before the scheduled procedure.
Once the surgery is done, your vet will provide you with instructions to help your dog recover comfortably. Depending on the timing of the procedure, your dog may also receive pain medication to take home.
In general, female dogs take longer to recover from spaying compared to male dogs after neutering.
After a female dog is spayed, she cannot have puppies as she becomes sterile.
Please keep in mind that male dogs are not immediately sterile after neutering. It can take up to 6 weeks for them to be considered safely sterile.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
