Puppy Neutering - Your Questions Answered

We answer some of the most common questions owners have about dog neutering and spaying. Bringing your mischievous bundle of fur home is so much fun. When you’re playing games, teaching your puppy to sit, and tickling their tummy, it’s unlikely that the thought of them having their own litter will even cross your mind.

However, puppies can start to reach sexual maturity from around 6-7 months old up to 18 months, dependent on their breed size, and may therefore can become pregnant earlier than you might otherwise have realise and so this, along with other considerations, means that whether or not to neuter your dog is something you need to consider early on in your life together.

Neutering your dog will help avoid any unplanned pregnancies and may have a number of other health and behavioural benefits.

However, there are also some disadvantages to neutering, and depending on your particular dog, these may outweigh the advantages, even if you do not have any plans to breed from them.

What is neutering?

Surgical neutering

Neutering is a common operation in the UK where around 80% of dogs are neutered. 

Routine neutering is in many ways a hangover from the days when latch key dogs were common, neutering was rarer, and unwanted litters of puppies contributed to a heartbreakingly high euthanasia and puppy mortality rate. To try and get control of this population of unwanted dogs, welfare organisations and vets worked tirelessly to promote early neutering and more responsible pet ownership. As a result of this transformative work, the population is better controlled and there are far fewer unplanned litters. While there is not as much of a need for neutering for population management these days, there is still for many, an expectation that they will neuter their dog.

Other countries who have a stable canine population have very different views, and in Germany and Scandinavia, neutering is illegal except on medical grounds, as it comes under the heading of unnecessary mutilation, and in Norway, as an example, over 98% of dogs are kept intact. 

In countries where there is a large street dog or free roaming population however, neutering is still vitally important and should without question be done as early as possible to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to prevent suffering.

Neutering involves surgically preventing pets from reproducing and significantly removing the reproductive hormones testosterone in males and oestrogen and progesterone in females, by removing some or all of the reproductive organs. For male puppies this involves the removal of the testicles and is also called ‘castration’. For females the procedure means the removal of their ovaries and often the uterus and is called ‘spaying’.

In male dogs, neutering tends to be minimally invasive unless the dog’s testicles haven’t dropped. If your dog’s testicles haven’t dropped by 6-9 months of age, then they will need to be assessed and monitored by your vet. 

Dogs with two retained testicles (cryptorchidism) are usually sterile, whereas if only one is retained, they still can breed but as this is often a genetic problem which would be passed on to any puppies, they shouldn’t be bred from as there is an increased (up to 10x) danger of life-threatening testicular cancer and/or torsion. 

For bitches, neutering is more invasive than in males. It is usually performed by an incision along her stomach to remove the ovaries and uterus. Alternatively, some veterinary practices offer the option of spaying via keyhole surgery, which is less invasive and speeds up recovery time. However, the decision as to which approach to take should be based on a discussion with your vet.

Both operations are carried out under general anaesthetic. This does involve a small risk – as with any surgical procedure – but techniques and monitoring during anaesthetic minimise these risks as much as possible. It also means your dog will not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Pain relief and anti-inflammatories will also be provided by the veterinary practice at the time of the procedure, and you will often also be given some to take home as part of your dog’s aftercare. You will also usually have one or two post-operative checks with your dog, with a vet or vet nurse. This will enable them to monitor healing and remove any stitches at the appropriate time.

If and when you are thinking about neutering your dog, the best source of reliable information and advice is your vet. They will be able to answer any questions that you may have about what is involved in the procedure, possible side effects, the timing of the procedure, the cost of neutering, a dog, and more.

Chemical neutering

You might not be sure whether or not you want to neuter your male dog as you could be worried about behaviour and/or personality changes, coat changes, changes in activity levels, weight gain etc. If you are planning on neutering with the hope of improving behaviour, this can give you a good indicator of any potential changes while still being reversable.

In these cases, your vet can administer injections that mimic castration and also prevents your dog from breeding. This avoids surgery and is reversable, but the treatment does need to be administered regularly (every 6-12 months) to be effective. There is some risk of side effects and there is an ongoing cost, but this may be a preferential option for some dogs and owners as it gives them the opportunity to see what effects permanent neutering would have. Your vet will be able to provide further information on this option.

When should I neuter my dog? 

Your dog or bitch will start to reach sexual maturity from around 6-7 months old up to 18 months, dependent on the size of the breed. 

If you are neutering your dog as a method of population control, for example if you live in a country where there are a lot of free roaming dogs and unwanted puppies, it is important to ensure your dog doesn’t add to the numbers of unwanted and often short-lived puppies. This is the primary welfare consideration. This is also usually the case if you live in a multidog household where there are intact animals and you are not planning to breed. This would mean neutering before they are sexually mature, which is usually around 6 months old.

If you have the luxury of living in a country where free-roaming dogs and unwanted puppies are not an issue, you can take the time to decide when (and indeed if) neutering is right for your dog. In many breeds and individuals, allowing the dog to mature physically and mentally first is often beneficial but they must be balanced with other health considerations. 

These are all things that need to be taken into account and discussed with your vet and also do some research as to what is considered best practice in your own breed, so you know all the questions to ask.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of neutering my dog?

There are plenty of reasons why neutering your dog may be advisable and likely to be of benefit. However, although there are plenty of advantages, there are also some disadvantages, and neutering may not be an appropriate decision for every dog and owner. The benefits of the procedure also vary depending on gender.

How do I get my dog neutered?

To get your dog neutered, book an appointment with your vet. You may be required to bring your dog in for a pre-anaesthetic check-up before they have the operation especially if the vet doesn’t know your dog or hasn’t seen them for a while.

Your vet will request that you don’t feed your dog for several hours before their anaesthetic, usually from the night before.

You will usually be asked to drop your dog into the vets early in the morning, and you should be able to pick them up later that day.

If you want to neuter your dog but cannot afford the cost, speak to your local animal charity as many organisations offer financial assistance to help you cover the cost of neutering a dog. 

What post-surgery care will my dog need after being neutered?

Recovery tips after neutering:

• Book your dog’s neutering for a time when you can spend a few days at home staying close to them and making sure they are OK. As well as the operation, the whole procedure can be unsettling and stressful for a dog.
• Your dog might whimper or whine as they recover from the anaesthetic. Try not to worry – this may just be because they are disorientated. If it continues for a prolonged time or if they seem to be in pain, contact your vet.
• Dogs can sometimes experience an upset tummy or constipation as an adverse side effect of the anaesthetic. Your vet may recommend a post-operative recovery diet for you to take home and feed your dog for their first few meals after their operation. A bland diet such as this can help to minimise the likelihood of an upset tummy.
• Ensure any medications provided by your vet for their post-surgery care, such as anti-inflammatory medications and pain relief, are given.
• Your vet may arrange post-operative check-ups several days after your dog’s operation to monitor their recovery.
• Your dog can usually go outside the day after their operation but always accompany them and keep them on a lead. Ask your vet’s advice about resuming exercise and walk them on a lead to keep them calm until they are fully recovered and given the ‘all-clear’ after their post-operative check-ups.
• To stop your dog from licking or scratching at their surgical site, they may have to wear a collar that will prevent them getting access to the wound for up to 10 days after their operation. Thankfully there are far better and more comfortable options than the old-fashioned plastic cones, so make sure you have one of these ready for when your dog comes home. You can usually take these off while your dog is eating. 
• In females, if keyhole surgery has not been performed, then your she will have an incision on her abdomen with some stitches holding the wound together while it heals. This should be checked regularly to ensure it is clean and healing well. If you have any worries about the wound, contact your vet.
• To protect your dog’s stitches and allow them time to heal, prevent her from jumping and walk her on a lead until she is given the ‘all-clear’ by the vet. If non-dissolvable stitches are used, your vet will provide a date when they should be removed. This is usually around 7-10 days after the procedure. Male dogs usually do not require external stitches.

What changes can I expect after neutering?

Sometimes neutering is associated with weight gain due to the hormonal changes that take place after neutering. You can help them stay fit with regular exercise and by proactively moving them to a lower-calorie food or 'light' food to help prevent weight gain after neutering. Alternatively, you may prefer to reduce their calorie intake by reducing their food portion by 10%. Monitor your dog’s body condition score so you can identify any changes in weight and make the appropriate alterations in their diet. Read our information on feeding your dog for further guidance.