Why is it no one ever mentions the cons about neutering?

Question

Why is there so much one sided propaganda about the subject? You hear lies all the time about neutering doing things like preventing aggression and behavioral problems, making "calmer better pets" and people tout it as something that has no side effects whatsoever.

Are people really incapable of doing independent research and educating themselves? I'm sick of having people tell me I should get my dog neutered because it will "make him calmer and better and healthier" and citing junk sources like the HSUS

HSUS us is a junk source because they're PETAs twin. Ever been to their actual shelter? No? Thats because they don't have one and don't rescue animals.

Side effects of neutering
*Increases risk of osteosarcoma cancer (a fatal untreatable cancer)
*Increases risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma
*triples risk of hypothyroidism
*Doubles the risk of urinary tract cancers
*quadruples the risk of prostate cancer (although elimates risk of enlarged prostate)
*Increases risk to adverse reactions to vaccines


Testicular cancer is not a big deal to begin with. Its very, very slow progressing and a dog has a less than 1% chance of actually dying from it. If an irregularity on a testicle does occur, neutering can be done at that time, as I recently did with one of my dogs.

I am completely capable of preventing my dogs from breeding and feel there is not enough benefit to them to perform an elective surgery
Source http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pd

Answer 1

It will completely eliminate testicular cancer. Ever seen their balls go black.

The only way it helps calm is if you train them and it will not stopthem from marking unless you teach them not to.

It is much better for your pets health to be nuetered and it does make it easier to train them not to mark but the only thing guaranteed with a neuter is they will not reproduce or get testicular cancer.

Answer 2

Reasons I'm trying to find a vet to do a vasectomy on my boy. Well that and he's probably vWD affected and after I test him if he is, it is ridiculously expensive to neuter him AND still possible to lose him. I am concerned about the possible health risks of neutered males, but I'm MORE concerned with morons breeding their dogs. I would rather see a dog neutered than making more poor quality dogs. I am the only one at my rescue that NEVER says a thing when they go on and on and on about the HEALTH benefits of spaying/neutering, especially neutering. I spayed my female after her first heat because she had a false pregnancy, which is usually recurring, and increases risk of cancer dramatically every time it happens. And she was a completely different dog while she was going through it, it was horrible. My male on the other hand was properly socialized from the time I got him, he has no male aggression issues and is actually less tolerant of females than males, he doesn't hump, doesn't care to wander (he could if he did), he doesn't mark any more than any other dog, neutered males will still mark, even in the house, my mom's dogs are constantly peeing on things. So for intelligent people, I recommend a vasectomy, for everyone else I just say neuter him. Spaying a female has more benefits for her, but has just as many cons. But this is our little secret, there's still tooo many idiots out there trying to breed their cockashitmuttpoos. I definitely think the majority of people in this country should spay/neuter their pets. Not many of them are as conscientious as we, and definitely not as responsible as some of the more intelligent people are....

So please don't post questions like this again, there are too many morons on here, don't give them fuel PLEASE.

Kittenslayer: I think you just got yourself a new thumbs down fairy... I'm sure she'll be following you around for a while, she sure seems like the type.. you know who.

Answer 3

I agree that there are is a lot to think about when spaying or neutering your animal, but in the end, I think that the majority of animal owners are just not responsible enough, or have the time or patience to look after and watch a dog that isn't fixed.

I, for one, spay all of my pets, simply because I don't want an accidental litter, and my dogs have all been very energetic and could easily pull me over and run if they wanted to (last one was a whippet/pitbull cross). I think that if you aren't going to neuter your pet, that is fine, but for the love of god make sure that you will watch him carefully! The last thing that anyone wants is him hopping a fence to hook up with an intact female in someone elses backyard.

And no, neutering does not always make a dog calmer, better or healthier, but at the same time, there is a chance. There are a lot of myths that go along with fixing an animal, but in the end, in my mind, it is still the right decision if you don't plan on breeding.

Answer 4

I actually happen to agree with you in some ways. I think spaying and neutering is a very effective way to control the pet population, prevent unwanted animals crowding out streets and shelters, and prevent irresponsible owners accidentally allowing their animals to breed.
However, I have not had my male dog neutered and he is almost 3. I have been going back and forth about it and I'm still not decided about it.
It has been shown that neutering a male dog will decrease roaming tendencies and marking tendencies. But, neutering does have negative health side effects.
I will refer those who are wondering what negative effects to this paper that studied the effects, both positive and negative, of spaying and neutering on dogs: http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf
Neutering increases the risk of bone cancer, hypothyroidism, prostate cancer, urinary tract cancer, geriatric cognitive impairment, obesity, and orthopedic disorders.
Neutering does decrease the chance of testicular cancer, however this type of cancer occurs only with a reported incidence rate of 7% and is easily, quickly treated (by removing the testicles), so it's not a common cause of death for the dogs affected.

I think people who are responsible owners should consider both sides of the picture and not just listen to the overwhelming majority touting the benefits and ignoring the risks.

Answer 5

Yes, surely you know more than all the vets in the country and well-established and respected animal organizations combined. You say neutering is *BAD* so it must be.

You call all the pros to neutering lies and propaganda, but what is your basis for such a statement? Only the ignorant tout neutering as a miracle cure for any and all behavioral issues and an assurance of good health for 20 years, and yes, there are both pros and cons to having your dog neutered. I think most are simply spreading the word that the pros FAR outweigh the cons. I'm not sure why you would see anything wrong with that.

Answer 6

I agree. There are clearly pros AND cons to neutering!! HOWEVER....I think there are too many people that are not responsible enough to prevent "accidents" from happening!!! So, we have to preach to the "least common denominator"!!!!! Sad, but true!!!!

And YES!!! Many people are incapable of doing independant research and educating themselves!!!!! If they would do that, there would be ahrdly ANY questions here because at least 3/4 of them can be answered by doing 5 minutes of research!!!!

Here are some cons:
http://www2.dcn.org/orgs/ddtc/sfiles/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf


There IS a real increase in the risk of osteosarcoma and cardiac hemangiosacroma in neutered males...especially if neutered before maturity. Most people are NOT aware of this because of the pro-neutering movement.

I am NOT saying that people should stop neutering their dogs, BUT it is NOT as simple as that! The Humane Society has a MAIN FOCUS of pet overpopulation. That is the main concern of the group. neutering takes care of that. They really have no need to be concerned about any long term effects of the procedure.


****and I am just talking DOGS here....I could NOT live with an intact male cat no matter what.
Females (dogs and cats) are another and more complicated decision.

Answer 7

I'm sooooo glad u can keep ur intact male from breeding...thats great! But here is the thing I don't need the HSUS(they are peta's helper) to tell me to have my pets fixed. I worked in a shelter for 15 years where THOUSANDS of dogs died because someone couldn't keep their intact animals safe when in heat or keep a male dog under control.

so while there are pros and cons, there is this thing called responsibility... that very few pet owners really have when it comes to having intact animals. and idoits who think cause a dog is 'papered' means its of good breeding stock.

Answer 8

I agree. There are pros and cons to spay and neutering, and not only do people never talk about cons of spay/neuter, but they get all OUTRAGED that you even dared bring up the topic.

I think that everyone should have the right to choose for their own pets, IF they are capable of making sure their animal never breeds. Some people are uneducated or just don't care enough to make sure their animal doesn't breed, and in this case, they MUST spay/neuter. I think that is why the spay/neuter debate is so one-sided -- because there are SO many people that are irresponsible about their pets. But I think if someone is responsible and interested, they should have access to the facts, and then decide for themselves.

The websites I always point people to are:

http://www.naiaonline.org/pdfs/LongTermHealthEffectsOfSpayNeuterInDogs.pdf

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

Then people can decide if/when to alter their pets.

Answer 9

As a vet tech who has worked for, among other places, the Humane Society, I can tell you there are very few "cons" for neutering. The benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Is it better for your dog to be well-trained yet sexually frustrated? Maybe there are some responsible people out there, but most aren't when they have intact animals. I have seen my own animals become better pets and I also followed up on my patients. I never, not in years of veterinary work, had any owners regret their decision to spay and neuter. Pet overpopulation is not propaganda, it's reality. Testicular cancer is not propaganda. My independent research is years of experience. The truth isn't propaganda. Maybe you have a problem with your sexuality.
P.S. In the veterinary world you see many older neutered and spayed animals. The intact ones don't usually live as long by far. The risks you mention are real, but statistically improbable. Your dog will more than likely, live longer if neutered. I've worked in 3 different states and it's the same everywhere.

Answer 10

Who told you neutering would make a calmer, better pet? That's funny!

It does help prevent those nasty reproductive cancers. Supposedly it helps prevent marking and humping. Would someone please explain that to my male? He does both and was neutered at 6 months! I think the vet forgot to lecture him after the surgery on what he was and wasn't allowed to in the future!

Another con you forgot to mention, is your dog could have a fatal/near-fatal reaction to the anesthesia during the surgery. It happens.

The pros are that you don't have to worry about your dog running off to get lucky during that wonderful time of the year, as many people just don't keep track. And heck, Fido has never taken off before, but what you don't know, is a mile down the road Bubba's dog Baby is in heat for the first time!

There are pros and cons to every decision in life. You have to weigh them and decide what's best in your situation.

Answer 11

Some of us cite years of experience in shelter volunteering, dog rescuing and in raising our own dogs and cats. My own feeling is that unless an animal is part of a PLANNED breeding program, it should be neutered or spayed. I strongly disagree with HSUS and the other so called animal rights folks. I consider myself to be an animal welefate advocate.

I am not incapable of research, I have been studying and observing it for more than 25 years. Unaltered animals are subject to a variety of health risks. Any vet can tell you this. Unaltered male dogs are much more likely to run away or be hit by cars. When they are searching for a female in heat, they don't think of much of anything else.

Scientific research with controls has probably not been done. Observation over many years of before and after dogs and cats has been done by many people, including myself, and trust me, the results are very clear.