Should I Fix My Male Or Female Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

Is it cheaper to fix a boy or girl dog?

While not as expensive as having a female dog spayed—which is a more complicated surgery—neutering is still a surgical procedure and

doesn't come cheap

. Neutering procedures can run anywhere from $35–$250 depending on your dog's breed and age, where you live, and what type of veterinary clinic you visit.

What happens if you don't neuter your female dog?

Female dogs can get much more life threatening conditions if they are not spayed. They can get

an uterine infection

, called pyometra, that requires emergency surgery. If this condition is untreated or surgery is not done as soon as possible, the infection gets into the bloodstream and becomes fatal.

What is the best age to neuter a male dog?

The recommended age to neuter a male dog is

between six and nine months

. However, some pet owners have this procedure done at four months. Smaller dogs reach puberty sooner and can often have the procedure done sooner. Larger breeds may need to wait longer in order to properly develop before being neutered.

Should I get my male or female dog fixed first?

In general, we recommend that

small be neutered between 6–12 months

and large breed male dogs in their second year. Male dogs of any size exhibiting aggression or unacceptable testosterone influenced behaviors, such as marking in the home, should be neutered as soon as possible regardless of age.

How do dogs feel after getting neutered?

Most dogs

recover relatively quickly from neutering

. A little wooziness is not unusual; post-anesthesia anxiety and fussiness is normal. Young dogs may want to return to play as soon as the same day. However, dogs should be kept calm for 10 to 14 days after surgery, or however long your veterinarian recommends.

At what age is it too late to spay a dog?

As long as your pet is healthy,

there is no age limit for spaying your dog

. While the traditional age for spaying is six to nine months, dogs as young as five months can undergo the procedure. Even if there are some risks with senior dogs, the benefits still outweigh a few risks.

Is there an alternative to spaying a dog?

Rastetter offers

ovary sparing spay

as an alternative to traditional spaying. … After the surgery, one ovary still produces hormones. Dogs will go into heat and may be willing to mate, but they will not bleed. The surgery will prevent pregnancy and pyometra, a life-threatening infection in the uterus.

Do male dogs prefer male or female owners?


Dogs Prefer Adults

— Particularly Women

A dog's preference for one person — or type of person — over another has a great deal to do with socialization. Dogs don't, as a rule, dislike men, but most dogs are cared for by women, and are thus more comfortable around them.

Where can I get my dog spayed for free?

To request a free surgery that is not a spay/neuter, either send an email to

[email protected]

, or leave a message at 1-888-364-7729.

The Amanda Foundation Mobile Clinic

offers free spay and neuter services for dogs and cats to people who qualify. The mobile clinic operates by appointment only.

What happens if you don't fix a dog?

What Happens If My Dog is Not Neutered? If your male dog is not neutered,

he will continue to produce testosterone that is likely to make him more aggressive

, particularly for alpha dogs. They will view other dogs, or even humans, as rivals, directing aggressive behavior towards them through barking or biting.

What happens if you don't get a dog fixed?

From a health perspective, male dogs that aren't neutered can

develop serious infections of the prostate

, as well as testicular cancer and tumors, which can require invasive and expensive surgery. Unspayed female dogs can also cause a whole other set of problems — one big one being that they can get pregnant.

Is it unhealthy to not spay your dog?

In fact, many states require all dogs that pass through shelters be

spayed

or neutered before they're rescued, often at just a few months old. Yet a growing body of research suggests that spaying and neutering dogs, especially young dogs, can increase their chances of developing some serious conditions.

Why you should not neuter your dog?


Neutering may triple the risk of hypothyroidism

. #3: Early neutering of male dogs increases the risk of developing bone cancer. Osteosarcoma is a common cancer in medium/large and larger breeds with a poor prognosis. #4: Male dogs who are neutered are more likely to develop other orthopedic diseases.

Do male dogs change after being neutered?

While male dogs who are neutered do experience an increase in aggressive behaviors right after the procedure,

neutering can make them much less aggressive over time

. In fact, neutering has bee proven to create a much happier and calmer male dog over time.

Does neutering change dogs personality?

Neutered dogs

will often be less aggressive, calmer, and happier overall

. Their desire to mate is eliminated, so they will no longer be in constant search for a dog in heat.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.