Your pup is growing up rapidly, which might have you wondering whether it’s time to get him neutered. When it comes to recommendations for altering your dog, we don’t have a one-size-fits-all answer. But now is a good time to check in with your veterinarian to see what they recommend for your individual pet.
When a dog gets neutered, both testicles are removed. The scrotal sack remains and the penis stays in its normal location. You may hear this referred to as “castration,” but the medical term is orchidectomy or orchiectomy. In some cases, if dogs are neutered at an older age, removal of the scrotal sac is also recommended to avoid complications.
An alternative procedure is called an epididymectomy, which retains the testicles but removes the hormones. This procedure is newer and not yet commonly performed. The testicles produce sperm and testosterone, so your dog will not be able to get dogs pregnant. You’ll also see a reduction in testosterone-driven behaviors.
We recommend that all dogs get neutered. Why, you ask?
- Males who aren’t neutered are more likely to mark their home with urine.
- Intact male dogs are more likely to stray from your home in search of mates, which puts them at increased risk of injury (such as being hit by a car or getting into dog fights) or contracting diseases from other animals.
- Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer and can lower the risk of some prostatic diseases.
- One intact male can get many females pregnant, increasing the burden on animal shelters and rescue organizations that are overrun with dogs.
However, when to get your dog neutered is less cut-and-dried. For small and medium dogs who are expected to weigh under 45 pounds, we generally recommend neutering at around 6 months of age, before they begin to show interest in female dogs. For dogs who will weigh 45 pounds or more once full grown, the recommendation is to wait until growth stops. Your veterinarian can help you determine what is best for your dog.
Why are larger dogs neutered later? While neutered dogs live longer overall than their intact counterparts, neutering is associated with obesity and in some breeds may impact their risk of joint disease. The effects of early neuter on the development of cancer are being studied, with associations identified in some breeds. Speak to your veterinarian to learn what the current research is identifying.
Keeping all of this in mind, your veterinarian will work with you to determine their recommendation, which will be based on available data and the lifestyle of you and your pet. If your veterinarian recommends delaying the neuter procedure until your dog is a bit older, make sure to review recommendations for avoiding accidental breeding.
A neuter procedure is surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. Because your dog will be anesthetized for the procedure, your veterinarian will recommend fasting your puppy the night before surgery. If they eat the morning of surgery, they run the risk of vomiting while unconscious. This could cause them to inhale vomited material, leading to potentially life-threatening pneumonia.
Your dog may have sutures under the skin that will dissolve on their own, or they may have external skin sutures that will need to be removed around 10 days later. Most neuter surgeries are routine and go without a hitch. However, with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of complications. Prior to the surgery, the veterinary team will discuss potential complications with you, such as bleeding, infection, swelling and anesthetic risks.
Your dog will usually go home the same day they have the procedure. Your veterinarian will send instructions on:
- Use of the cone-shaped e-collar that prevents them from licking their incision
- How to administer pain medications
- How to monitor the incisions
- Follow-up appointments, if needed
- Activity restriction
- Avoiding bathing or getting the incision wet
One thing to note is that neutered dogs are at an increased risk of obesity, so make sure you check your dog’s body condition and weight regularly, and adjust feeding amounts when needed. Your VCA care team will help you determine how much to feed your dog.
If you plan to breed your dog, speak with your VCA care team about caring for your intact male dog and how to prevent unwanted litters.
The neutering procedure can be added on to a CareClub® membership. Annual exams, rechecks and sick appointments1 are all included, along with the vaccines and yearly preventive services2 your pet needs to support their best health.
CareClub Memberships are preventive pet health care plans and not pet insurance. CareClub Membership covers only the selected health care services and products which are specifically identified in the applicable CareClub Membership agreement.
1. Covered services vary by CareClub plan. Unlimited exams are any exams during regular business hours, excluding specialty, emergency and telemedicine exams. Urgent care exams are available through CareClub until December 31, 2024, at select VCA Animal Hospitals Urgent Care locations.
2. Vaccines may include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, canine upper respiratory disease, canine influenza, leptospirosis and Lyme disease, depending on your location. Lab work checks for issues like diabetes, liver and kidney disease, parasites and general infections.
