De-sexing (spaying / neutering)
"Why would someone not desex their dog nowadays?" a client recently asked.
From a behavioural perspective, there is little question that desexing reduces the likelihood of behaviour problems, particularly aggression in male dogs.
Generally many health benefits of desexing are also cited, such as the reduction/elimination of the risk for various cancers. However, there is some material presenting a more complex assessment of the risks and benefits from a physical health perspective, such as this report about the "Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs". Talk to your vet about these to make an informed decision.
From a behavioural perspective, there is little question that desexing reduces the likelihood of behaviour problems, particularly aggression in male dogs.
Generally many health benefits of desexing are also cited, such as the reduction/elimination of the risk for various cancers. However, there is some material presenting a more complex assessment of the risks and benefits from a physical health perspective, such as this report about the "Long-Term Health Risks and Benefits Associated with Spay / Neuter in Dogs". Talk to your vet about these to make an informed decision.
Does desexing reduce aggression in male dogs?
Aggression is one of the main behavioural problems I help my clients with. Entire male dogs are more likely to behave aggressively towards other male dogs, even if they are neutered. Even if your entire male is peaceful, he is more likely to be attacked by another male dog than a neutered male, and can become aggressive in turn.
Once aggression is entrenched as a behaviour, be it because of fear (of being attacked) or dominance aggression towards other males, desexing alone may not fix the problem, and extensive behaviour modification treatment may be required. It is much easier to prevent this problem from occurring by making sure your dog is desexed at around 5 to 6 months of age.
Once aggression is entrenched as a behaviour, be it because of fear (of being attacked) or dominance aggression towards other males, desexing alone may not fix the problem, and extensive behaviour modification treatment may be required. It is much easier to prevent this problem from occurring by making sure your dog is desexed at around 5 to 6 months of age.
But won't my dog gain weight?
Many owners are concerned that their dog will gain weight as a result of desexing. Desexing does reduce the energy requirements of your dog. However, the basic rules of energy in / energy out still apply: Simply reduce the amount you feed your dog by about 10 to 20% after desexing, and monitor his weight. For help with keeping your dog trim and healthy see How much should I feed my dog?.
Dogs that gain weight after desexing may have been on their way to gaining weight already. Desexing is usually done at 5 to 6 months of age, an age at which the dog is still growing, has high energy requirements and is unlikely to be overweight. If the dog's food intake isn't adjusted as he stabilises his growth, he will gain weight, desexed or not. But because the dog is desexed, this can be used as an easy scape goat for the weight gain, rather than the fact the dog is just getting too much food for his life stage.
Dogs that gain weight after desexing may have been on their way to gaining weight already. Desexing is usually done at 5 to 6 months of age, an age at which the dog is still growing, has high energy requirements and is unlikely to be overweight. If the dog's food intake isn't adjusted as he stabilises his growth, he will gain weight, desexed or not. But because the dog is desexed, this can be used as an easy scape goat for the weight gain, rather than the fact the dog is just getting too much food for his life stage.