Behavioral Effects of Neutering a Pet

Neutering is surgical sterilization, so that reproduction becomes impossible. Typically, castration (removal of the testes) in males is called neutering, and in females, the procedure of ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus) is called spaying. Veterinarians and animal welfare organizations strongly recommend this procedure for the health and behavior benefits, as well as to curb the severe pet overpopulation problem.

Roaming
- A wandering pet can easily become hopelessly lost.
  
  Neutered pets are generally less likely to roam and wander; they are not searching for mates or engrossed in pheromones. Neutered pets have been shown to typically reduce their territory overall. But pets that are not neutered, even indoor ones, are often driven to make escape attempts to seek a mate. However, animals have a strong sense of smell, and they are sometimes drawn to odorous things unrelated to their sexual desires. A human's sense of smell is not strong enough to pick up some of the odors that may lure their pet away from home.
Aggression
- Neutering reduces aggression, but does not reduce watchdog abilities.
  
  Aggression to other animals over potential mates or territory is usually greatly reduced by neutering. Males are less likely to fight over females, people or objects once they are neutered. Females are free of the cyclic hormonal fluctuations, and so are likely to be less irritable or moody. But neutering does not affect the type of aggression necessary for a good watchdog. Statistically, male dogs who are not neutered cause the majority of serious dog bites in the United States, and the majority of those bites are to children.
Concentration and Training
- This kind of focus is difficult for intact males.
  
  Your pet should be more attentive, with a longer attention span for training or working, once it has been neutered. This is mainly true of male pets, because they are less distracted by the odors around them. Male dogs can smell a female in heat when there is no female anywhere in your sight, and concentration becomes impossible for them.
Sexual Behaviors
- Neutered pets are generally calmer while remaining affectionate.
  
  Intact dogs and cats can display sexual behaviors which are inappropriate or discomfiting for people. These behaviors include mounting activities among other animals and mounting or masturbation on people, carpets or pillows. After neutering, pets that have had breeding partners before being neutered may or may not continue these behaviors. In pets who never experienced sexual activity before neutering, these behaviors are likely to stop after neutering. All mounting behavior is not related to neutering or sexual hormones. Mounting is also an affectionate behavior, especially among female dogs, and very often mounting is a dominant behavior. These types of mounting will not be affected by neutering.