5 Signs Your Dog Needs to be Neutered

Getting a new puppy is one of the most joyous events we can ever experience. But caring for these little fur babies is a big responsibility. They need proper training as well as receiving their vaccinations on time. And most vets recommend getting puppies spayed or neutered once they reach a certain age. If you have a male puppy you can ask for advice on when is the right time to get him neutered. Or you can keep reading to learn 5 signs your dog needs to be neutered.

Benefits of Neutering a Dog

Neutering, also sometimes called “the big snip”, refers to a medical procedure that involves surgically removing a male dog’s testes. As you can imagine, this will keep him from being able to impregnate female dogs. Here are some of the main benefits of neutering a dog:

Cuts Down on the Overpopulation Problem

This country’s streets and shelters are already overrun with dogs who are waiting for their forever home. If you’re not a professional breeder, getting your dog neutered will help to solve the overpopulation problem.

Support Your Dog’s Health

Did you know that neutering can help your dog stay healthy? As an example, neutering lowers a dog’s risk of developing fatal diseases such as testicular and prostate cancer. Testicular cancer is the second most common cancer affecting unneutered dogs. 

There have also been studies that show neutered dogs live longer than intact males. As an example, a study by the University of Georgia that looked at the medical records of over 70,000 dogs, found that the life expectancy of neutered males was 13.8% longer.

 Your Dog Will Stay Out of Trouble

Neutering a male dog significantly decreases his testosterone levels. This makes male dogs far calmer and far less likely to get into fights with other male dogs. Even male dogs they may share a home with.  Neutered dogs are also far less likely to mark their territory. 

Less Likelihood of Getting Injured

Neutered males aren’t as prone to becoming a victim of trauma or injury. Since they don’t go looking for fights with other males, they don’t wind up with serious injuries. Also, intact males have a tendency to get out of the house in search of females in heat. This can lead to dogs getting hit by a car or having other accidents.

These are just some of the reasons why pup parents should strongly consider getting their male puppies neutered. And if you’re wondering if it’s time to make an appointment for “the big snip,” here are some signs your dog needs to be neutered.

Humping

When your pup’s testosterone levels become quite high, he can begin to hump, well, just about everything in sight. This behavior is usually triggered when a bitch in heat is nearby, but it can also happen out of sheer boredom. Humping is obviously something that can cause pup parents to feel a lot of embarrassment. 

The Escape Artist

When your intact male dog detects a female in heat nearby, he will do everything he can to get out of the house and mate with her. It is a very strong instinct that perhaps male readers can somehow understand. No matter how you try to keep him from getting out, he will most likely find a way, that’s how strong the urge is. Dogs have been known to jump over or dig under the highest of fences. 

Urine Marking

If he starts marking inside your home, it’s definitely a sign your dog needs to be neutered. Male dogs pee on things to claim it as theirs. This tends to happen when two or more intact males are living together.

He’s Getting Aggressive

As your little puppy gets bigger and bigger, his testosterone levels rise and you may notice his play is a bit more aggressive. This can not only be dangerous for other pets in the house but for you and any children as well. Your pup may not mean to injure you, but his teeth and nails may have a mind of their own.

Scrotum Rashes

We mentioned intact males can develop some serious health conditions later in life. But they can also develop pesky and irritating conditions as well. One of them is rashes on their scrotum. The delicate skin of the scrotal area is very sensitive. As the dog grows, this skin becomes stretched and exposed to the environment, developing a rash. Intact males are more likely to lick this area, which can also cause rashes to develop.

Final Thoughts

While some pup parents have no problem getting their dog neutered, others are a bit hesitant. Especially male parents who squirm at the idea and feel the surgery is somehow cruel. But as you can see, neutering your puppy offers many benefits, including benefiting their health.

Speak to your vet to see when is the right time to have your dog neutered. While it is a surgery, it is a rather quick and easy one, and one that dogs easily recover from.

Read more about how much it costs to neuter a dog and which pet insurance providers cover neutering in their plans. 

Need Help Paying for Neutering?

It’s not always easy paying for vet care. That’s why more pet parents are enrolling their fur babies into pet health insurance. A pet insurance plan can pay for those unexpected accidents and illnesses. Some companies also cover costs of preventative and wellness care.

Take 2 minutes to get a free, customized quote from the top insurers in the country.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/spayneuter-your-pet “Spay/Neuter Your Pet”

https://www.animalleague.org/get-involved/spay-usa/benefits-spaying-or-neutering-pets/ “Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Pets”

https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/dog-neutering-spaying/dog-neutering “What You Need to Know About Neutering Your Dog”

Disclaimer

The information contained on this blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet's health care or treatment plan.

The authors of this blog are not veterinarians and do not claim to be experts in pet health. The information provided here is based on our own experiences and research, as well as information from reputable sources. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information.

We encourage you to do your own research and consult with your veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet's health.