Does Neutering Increase Your Pet's Longevity?

Neutering removes the reproductive organs in male dogs; with females, the procedure is called spaying. When gender neutral, "sterilization" or "altering" are used interchangeably. Some people also call it "fixing," though that term has become somewhat antiquated. While animal activists advocate neutering to avoid pet overpopulation, veterinary professionals recommend neutering for other reasons. The health of the animal is always the first priority among vets, and neutering improves a dog's health.

  1. What Neutering Is

    • When a male dog is neutered, his reproductive organs are removed. This eliminates the testosterone in his bloodstream. The surgery involves administering an anesthesia to the dog and removing the testicles. Since there are no more testicles, this immediately removes the dog's risk of testicular cancer. There are other cancers that plague male dogs, but neutering cuts down on those risks as well. The surgery is considered minor and safe.

    The Prostrate

    • The prostrate produces fluid that helps move the sperm on its way. As male dogs age, the prostrate grows and can become a real troublemaker. Benign prostrate hyperplasia is a dangerous, albeit non-cancerous, condition that causes the prostrate to grow abnormally, pressing on the rectum and bladder and causing urinary and defecation issues. This condition is dependent upon testosterone to grow. If the dog is intact -- that is, not neutered -- he continues to produce testosterone, which is a hormone manufactured in the testicles. Prostrate cancer is not hormone-dependent, and the risk of prostrate cancer is not affected by neutering.

    Other Health Issues

    • Another medical condition that arises in intact male dogs is perineal herniation. This hernia develops around the dog's rectum, causing serious issues with defecation. The feces begins to collect in the rectum, causing pouches and fecaliths, which are hardened stones made of feces. This condition can result in infections and, eventually, the inability to defecate. Neutering prevents this condition since hormones appear to be a factor in the development of a perineal hernia, which is much more common in certain breeds.

    Behaviorial

    • It's just logical that dogs who stay home and don't go looking for trouble live longer, healthier lives. Intact dogs will always have that wanderlust. A male dog can smell a female dog in heat from miles away. An intact dog will travel far and wide to find that dog in heat, and in the journey, may very well encounter other dogs on the same mission who will fight for the elusive female. The inherent dangers in roaming decreases a dog's longevity. In addition to fights, they could be hit by a car, stolen or shot, or pick up a nasty infection. Intact males are also more aggressive, so not only is your sweet little Fido looking for that mate, he may be the one looking for a fight as well.