Preparing for the lifelong task of caring for a dog is important. This may include buying items like a crate, food dishes, and toys, but it also involves making important medical decisions. Many owners are anxious about the idea of spaying or neutering their dogs.
Although this anxiety is understandable, there are many benefits to getting your dog spayed or neutered, and many of the qualms people have over this procedure are misconceptions.
Read on as we dispel many common misconceptions about spaying and neutering.
1. Spaying/ Neutering Changes Your Dog’s Personality
One fear many owners have when they consider spaying or neutering their dog is that the dog’s personality will change. Some people believe a male dog will be less masculine or that a previously energetic dog will become lazy.
Spaying/neutering is a medical procedure that removes reproductive organs to sterilize the dog and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Neutering is when a small incision is made in the scrotum and a surgeon removes the male dog’s testicles. Spaying is when a surgeon removes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus of a female dog.
Once the procedure is over, you may notice differences in your dog’s behavior as their sex hormones begin to decrease. Although the reproductive organs make most of the estrogen and testosterone in the body, the adrenal glands also produce these hormones, and your dog will still be as “masculine” or “feminine” as they were before.
Fact: Spaying/Neutering Curbs Unwanted Behaviors
Spaying and neutering can decrease certain common behavioral problems. Males are less aggressive and territorial. They will only mount other animals, objects, and people sometimes––if at all. They also won’t scent mark with urine or be motivated to wander off in search of a mate. Females will not have a heat cycle or “periods.”
These changes don’t affect the dog’s playfulness, affection, or intelligence. Those traits depend on their upbringing and breed––not a surgical procedure.
2. Spaying/Neutering Robs Your Dog of Offspring
Dogs reproduce based on instinct. They do not have sentimental feelings about having puppies. Even if a dog does have puppies, eventually, the mother is separated from her offspring. This generally happens when the pups are around eight weeks old.
If you do not spay your dog, she could continue to go into heat every six months for the rest of her life. If allowed to mate, she could theoretically have two to three litters a year. Pregnancy is demanding work for the body and takes a lot of extra energy from your female dog. Several unplanned pregnancies can reduce a female dog’s lifespan and cause health problems.
Make no mistake—even if you have a male dog, you should get him neutered, even though he obviously won’t bear puppies. Intact males can lead to overpopulation problems and territorial fighting.
3. Spaying/Neutering Makes Your Dog Obese
Spaying/neutering does not cause obesity in dogs, while it’s true that reduction in sex hormones does slow down metabolism.
Obesity in dogs is a result of poor diet and lack of exercise. If you feed your dog high-quality food and make sure they spend plenty of time playing and exercising, they will maintain a healthy weight.
Just like with humans, a sedentary lifestyle and overeating leads to obesity. Spaying and neutering are not the cause, but the slower metabolism should be considered when creating a well-balanced diet for your four-legged pal.
4. Spaying/Neutering Is a Dangerous Procedure
It can be scary to think about your beloved pet undergoing surgery, but you can rest assured that spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians. This means that vets have plenty of practice.
The procedure takes about two to 20 minutes on average for a vet to complete a neutering procedure and between 20 to 90 minutes for a spay. During the procedure, your pet will receive general anesthesia, so they don’t feel any pain. When they wake up from anesthesia, they may be groggy and have a little discomfort for a couple of days, but most dogs are back to normal within a week.
If you are still worried about the procedure, write down your questions for the vet and make sure to discuss them at your dog’s next check-up.
5. Spaying/Neutering Is Expensive
The cost of a spay or neuter varies based on the vet and the sex of the dog. Female dogs have a more involved procedure and generally cost more. If a female is in heat, the procedure is a little more difficult and may be more involved and costly.
The average cost in the United States for a spay/neuter is between $250 to $650 at a private vet, but there are many low-cost and non-profit clinics that make the procedure financially accessible. Many humane societies will perform spay and neutering surgeries at a low cost.
So, if your vet has quoted you a price you can’t pay, ask around and check out some local shelters and low-cost clinics for assistance. These organizations want to make these procedures affordable so they can combat overpopulation in shelters.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering
Spaying/neutering has many benefits for both you and your dog. They include:
- A lower chance of certain health problems. Dogs who are spayed or neutered have a lower chance of developing ovarian or testicular cancers.
- Preventing pregnancies. Planned dog pregnancies are joyful, exciting events. Unplanned dog pregnancies are not and just add to overpopulation.
- Less roaming. Male dogs may go to extreme lengths (such as hopping fences) to get to a female dog in heat.
Bottom Line: Spaying/Neutering Is a Safe Procedure
Spaying/neutering a dog can seem scary, but many of the worries pet parents have been misconceptions about the procedure. Spaying and neutering are safe procedures that help reduce overpopulation and increase a dog’s quality of life. Your dog will still be the loveable, energetic pup you adopted. If you are still worried about the procedure, reach out to your vet for more information.
