6 Benefits of Neutering Your Dog

Do you have a male dog? Are you trying to decide whether to have him neutered? Do you want to find out more about the reasons why you should even consider having him neutered in the first place?

If this sounds like you, then you’re in luck! In the article below, we’ve outlined six of the most important benefits you should consider when choosing whether or not to have your dog neutered. You can use this information to decide what’s best for your pet as well as for you as a pet owner.

1. Neutered Dogs Help Reduce the Unwanted Pet Population

First and foremost, a dog who is neutered is not able to father any unwanted litters of puppies. Since thousands of unwanted puppies are born yearly and must be put down due to a lack of space in shelters and rescues, it is vitally important that responsible pet owners do not contribute to this problem.

You can feel better about your dog’s role in your local area by ensuring he is not going to risk overpopulating the neighborhood even more with unplanned litters. Do your part to help control the overpopulation of pets by having your pets all spayed and neutered.

2. Neutered Dogs are Less Likely to Have Certain Types of Cancer

A neutered dog is less likely to develop prostate cancer than an intact dog. There are some other factors that may affect this likelihood however, including heredity, but overall, the risk is lower in a dog who is neutered at the earliest safe age possible.

Additionally, neutered dogs do not develop testicular cancer, as this is not possible after the procedure has been completed. You can provide your dog a healthier and longer life by ensuring he won’t be at as great of a risk of these types of cancer when he is neutered.

3. Neutered Dogs are Less Likely to Roam

When an intact dog can sense that a female dog is in heat nearby, he is going to want to try to find her. This may lead to roaming behavior and can cause dogs to become escape artists, finding any way out of the home or out of the fenced yard to get to the female.

When you have your dog neutered, however, this behavior is much less likely to occur. Some neutered dogs do still roam and run away, but it is much less common in neutered dogs than in intact dogs. Give your dog the best chance at being content at home by having him neutered.

4. Neutered Dogs are Less Likely to Become Aggressive or Territorial

When a male dog is left intact, he usually becomes aggressive, territorial, or both, especially when he senses a female in heat nearby. If you have other pets in your home or have children as part of your household, you may want to avoid aggressive situations with your dog.

To do this, you will need to have your dog neutered. Although neutering doesn’t automatically solve all behavioral problems in dogs, it can often cut down significantly on aggression and territory-based problems, which can in turn help keep the peace with everyone in the family.

5. Neutered Dogs are Less Likely to Get into Fights with Other Dogs

Since dogs tend to get into fights over mating situations, it is much less likely that your neutered male dog will get into fights than an intact male dog would. Of course, fights do still occur, but they are not usually as severe or as common when dogs involved are all neutered or spayed.

Additionally, a dog who doesn’t get into fights often isn’t as likely to be injured and need to go to the veterinarian as often, which can help you save money in the long run.

6. Neutered Dogs are Allowed to Go More Places

Do you travel a lot with your dog? Or do you travel a lot on your own but board your dog at a kennel while you’re gone? Either way, some hotels, destinations, and boarding facilities do not accept adult dogs who are still intact, so keep this in mind when making your decision as well.

Talk with Your Veterinarian

Now that you know more about the benefits of having your dog neutered, you may be ready to schedule your pet’s appointment right away. On the other hand, however, you might still have some questions or concerns regarding your pet’s overall health relating to the neutering procedure.

If this is true, you should speak with your Boston Veterinary Clinic vet for more information. Your vet will guide you toward the right decision for your pet and make it easier for you to understand what choice is best for your specific dog’s individual needs. Your vet can also discuss any health concerns you might have. Book an appointment online today!