What Are the Consequences of a Dog Neuter?

Dog neutering results in many advantageous consequences. Not only will these consequences benefit the dog's behavior, but its health as well, suggests Dr. Race Foster of Doctors Foster and Smith. Neutering your dog is more beneficial when it is done while the dog younger as opposed to older; however, neutering your dog at any age will improve its health and behavior.

  1. Decreased Aggression

    • One of the consequences of neutering a dog is it will have decreased aggression toward other dogs and humans. When a dog is neutered, the levels of certain hormones, such as androgen hormones, are decreased, explains Foster. Such hormones affect the behavior of male dogs and often create aggression. Neutering the dog drops the level of these hormones, which will calm the aggression. As a result, dogs that are typically vicious toward other canines and humans often relinquish their bad behavior after neutering. The sooner the neutering occurs, the better, as it can ultimately prevent the aggression.

    Fewer Prostate Problems

    • According to the Mar Vista Vet website, neutering your dog will prevent certain issues from occurring, including prostate gland problems. Testosterone will cause a dog's prostate gland to enlarge over the course of its life. As the dog ages, the gland typically becomes rather large, creating discomfort and sometimes difficulty when defecating. When the dog is neutered, the hormone supply to the gland is eliminated, thus shrinking the gland down to a small size. If the dog is neutering while it is young---typically around six months of age---it will likely never have problems with its prostate gland.

    Decreased Tumor Trouble

    • Another consequence of neutering is a decrease in the possibility of both perianal and testicular tumors. Perianal tumors are often found around the anus and are caused by testosterone. Such tumors can be benign and malignant and typically occur in dogs around seven years of age. Neutering your dog while it is young will diminish its chances of developing the potentially life-threatening tumors. Testicular tumors occur in the testicles typically around five years of age. These tumors can also be either malignant or benign and will not occur if your dog is neutered.

    Decreased Amount of Unwanted Puppies

    • A dog that is not neutered typically only has one thing on his mind, which is mating. Not only will the dog try to mount anything it can---including your leg---but will always be on the hunt to satisfy its hunger for breeding. Your dog will not be picky as to who it courts and will likely create a litter of puppies that is not wanted. These puppies could end up homeless or euthanized, as a result. Dogs that are neutered and do not breed unintentionally help to decrease the amount of unwanted puppies.