What are the pors and cons of neutering your dog?

Question

I am going to get my 2 y/o shi tzu neutered. Am I making a mistake? Does it stop them from "hiking" on things? He doesnt "hump" on anything, he's just really hyper. What things should I expect to change? What changes might I see? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
XOXOXO
~Calicohottie

Answer 1

While there is some question concerning pediatric spay/neuter there is NO cons to getting a dog 6 months or older spay/neutered!!! Sapy/neuter does NOT cause other types of cancer despite some claims, by some people (most usually anti spay/neuter groups).The rate of testicular, prostrate cancer is very high and very common as is anal fistulas in unaltered males..mammary cancer and a very serious uterine infection that is often fatal is extremely common in unaltered females. I can't tell you the numbers of these cases I've seen in just the past 6 months let alone in the past 34 years.These issues aren't just seen in older dogs, they are seen in dogs as young as 9 months.
As for pet over population there defiantely is...the poster who said there wasn't needs to take a good long hard look at rescues/shelters in all parts of the country and really pay attention. I've done and been involved in enough rescues over the years to tell you there is a major problem..it isn't just older puppies & adults...on top of that there is tons of irresponsible breeding taking place..this irresponsibility and total disregard for breeding healthy, heath tested dogs is waht is causing a major portion of health issues including noreproductive cancers, kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease and other health problems.

Answer 2

The people who have answered before only gave you 1/2 the story. They only gave you the pros and said there are no cons. They are wrong.

There are now vets that are questioning the actual benefits of spaying and neutering, especially the pediatric altering. Sure, it can decrease the chances of getting some cancers or get rid of them completely, but it increases the chances for others well beyond the benefit of altering the animal to begin with. Altering too young can lead to orthopedic problems later on in life because the leg bones have grown to long or growing was incomplete.

Also, I keep saying this and will continue to say it. There is no real overpopulation problem. I think it's over 70% of the pet population is altered. The puppies that usually end up in shelters are those that were born on the streets by stray dogs or puppies as the result of a loose dog, that if a leash/confinement law was enforced, the chances of that happening would decrease.

If we had a true overpopulation problem, there would be far more puppies in shelters then there are. Most dogs are sub-adult or adult dogs. What that means is we have a owner retention issue, not overpopulation. These animals had a home, but were given up for whatever reason. What's needed there is education, not more laws and legislation.

Plus, the numbers that you see the 4-6 million pets euthanized every year is a farce. the number isn't broken down into real numbers. That's the overall number of pets euthanized every year. This includes, owner requested euths, animals that are too sick to adopt out, animals that have behavior issues and can not be trusted as well as animals that are just too old. Groups such as HSUS, PETA and others will not tell you this information because inflating the numbers keeps them rolling in the money as well as keeps them moving towards their goal of no pets.

Dane Lover, your jaded!

Are all the animals in the shelters and pounds puppies? I already know the answer to this, but I want to hear it from you. Then will continue on.

Also, if there was an overpopulation problem, then why are shelters in the Northeast importing puppies from other other countries? I mean if they are so full, surely they do not have any room for more!

You people are unbelievable and so damn gullible.

Roughly, 70% to 75% of the pet population is spayed and neutered. Next, where are all these puppies in shelters? I have yet to see all these puppies. What there are is sub-adult and adult dogs that someone dumped for whatever reason, these animals had a home and then were given up. Owner retention problems does not mean overpopulation. They had homes, now they are in a shelter because they were given up for whatever reason. You can not say the two are the same.

Please read this as it does show the other side of the coin that you seem not to want to see. It has stuff about pediatric spay/neuter as well as altering in general:

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

http://www.showdogsupersite.com/kenlclub/breedvet/castrationindogs.html

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/11/11/1434

http://www.infopet.co.uk/pages/5031.html (Scroll Waaaaaay down) Study refuting claims of longterm health benefits of neutering dogs.

http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200509.html
http://www.mmilani.com/commentary-200511.html

Answer 3

No pet overpopulation problem? You must live in a fantasy land. Nearly 10,000 animals are put to sleep every day in the US because there aren't enough homes or enough space to house them. For each puppy and kitten born each year in the U.S., each person would have to own 9 dogs and 7 cats to keep any pets from being homeless--meaning a household of 4 would have to own 36 dogs and 28 cats! If that's not overpopulation, I don't know what is...

Like most others said, unless you are planning on breeding (which you shouldn't anyways as there are CLEARLY too many pets and not enough homes for them all) then get them fixed. You and he will be much happier as he won't be constantly searching for a mate (males can smell females in heat up to 2 miles away), he'll be much calmer, stop marking his territory, be less possesive and territorial, and overall healthier.

Oh, and intact male dogs are accountable for most dog bites in this country...

Answer 4

If you don't plan on siring your dog I would highly recommend that you have him neutered. Anecdotally I have seen many more health problems with intact animals in comparison to altered animals. It does significantly reduce a lot of common health problems I have seen with intact dogs such as prostatic disease, or testicular tumors as well as other related issues. There some owners who report that they may see some minor changes in behavior but most of the time there are no behavioral changes. So if you wish to make him less hyper you may want to consider behavioral classes.

Answer 5

Congratulations on having your little boy neutered! He will have a better chance of living a long and healthy life.

For anyone who thinks there is no dog and cat overpopulation, you have only to look at the shelter and rescue sites, who are flooded with animals. Mainly due to irresponsible people who don't spay and neuter, and pass the resulting number of pups and kittens on to overworked volunteers at shelters.

I've spent 30 years looking after the dogs that uncaring people have produced and then dumped.

Answer 6

The best thing you can do for your dog is get him neutered. It cuts down on diseases like testicular cancer. It makes them less aggressive so it is easier to have around other dogs. They are happier because they lose that strong urge to mate and "hump" everything. It quiets them down some, and they are alot nicer to live with. It also cuts down their urge to roam. Both of my dogs are nuetered and are happy, healthy and can live together in peace there is no need for dominance.

Answer 7

There are no cons. The pros are that it will prevent the dog from getting testicular cancer. It will prevent the dog from wandering in search of female dogs in heat. It will reduce aggression. It will stop a dog from marking its territory particularly in the house. It will prevent the dog from impregnating females thus contributing to the problem of unwanted dogs in shelters and on the streets. Please get your dog neutered. I just had my 6 month old Bichonpoo spade, she is a female.

Answer 8

the only cons are he can't reproduce (which is also a pro) and he might be down for a week.

some pros

he can't reproduce
it eliminates some illnesses
he will not run away because he smells a dog in heat
less likely to mark your house
and is totally less likely to hump things.

Answer 9

Unless you are breeding, they should be neutered, it will calm the dog, think of it as him being sexually frustrated all the time. That can't fun! Good Luck!

Answer 10

he will not get testicular cancer,, he will not mark his territory, he will not wander off in search of female in season, you will prevent any unwanted pregancy etc etc. etc... there is no reason not to neuter,,,, congratulations to you on making the correct decision