Neutering reduces the release of testosterone in males, who, unlike females, are always in heat. In a majority of cases, the benefits of spay and neuter include the reduction or elimination of unwanted behaviors, but it is not a quick fix to all behavior problems. In older pets, it may take a little longer to develop replacement behaviors for the undesirable behaviors they have practiced for so long. Proper socialization combined with a spay or neuter surgery are key steps to helping your pet live a happy and healthy life!
Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson. Toggle Menu. Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube. Common unwanted behaviors that can be minimized or eliminated with a spay surgery: Roaming. An intact female may run away in search of a male to mate with. This is not romantic courtship, but an instinctual behavior resulting from a heat cycle. Heat cycles happen twice a year in dogs and every one to three weeks in cats.
This is when they are most sexually active and able to reproduce. Roaming puts your pet at risk of being lost, injured or killed by cars.
The desire to roam can be eliminated by removing the ovaries and uterus that produce estrogen. Heat cycles cause a fluctuation in hormone levels that can lead to irritability. Although they are uncommon in dogs, some breeds may be genetically predisposed to developing ovarian and uterine tumors. Older female dogs also have an increased risk. Spaying your dog completely eliminates the possibility of her developing ovarian or uterine cancer. It can also cause certain injuries and diseases, some of which can spread to the puppies.
Spaying eliminates the risk of milk fever, brucellosis , and other reproductive disorders. Dogs become sexually mature between six and twelve months of age. Most dogs experience two heat cycles per year. Spaying your dog will not affect her working abilities, friendliness, playfulness or personality. However, female dogs may experience changes in behaviors associated with the heat cycle after spaying.
You may see a reduction in the following behaviors after you spay your dog:. Female dogs often try to leave home in search of males, which puts them at risk of getting lost and injuring themselves sometimes fatally on roadways. Spaying your dog will reduce or eliminate her drive to roam while in heat.
Females in heat urinate frequently to attract male dogs with its scent. Not only will this cause a line-up of neighborhood male dogs at your door, but it can also lead to urine stains on your carpet and furniture. Spaying your dog will eliminate frequent urination and bloody discharge, both of which may occur during her heat cycle. Each heat cycle causes significant hormonal changes in a female dog. Some become irritable or nervous and even feel pain due to ovulation. Unspayed females sometimes compete for the attention of a male dog by fighting.
Spaying your dog reduces any aggressive behavior patterns so your dog will likely be less aggressive toward people and other dogs after spay surgery. Female dogs will sometimes behave aggressively if people or other animals attempt to approach or touch their puppies.
If your dog has been exhibiting these habits for months or years, they might persist even after spaying. In fact, each heat cycle your dog experiences increases her risk of developing serious medical conditions. One of the primary benefits of spaying early is to avoid the development of unwanted aggressive behaviors that can appear after puberty. It is good to note that spaying is not a quick fix that will get rid of all unwanted behavior.
Recent studies, however, have caused the American Kennel Club AKC to update its stance on the timing of spaying and neutering. One particular study out of the University of California has been researching the health implications of spaying and neutering since The study suggests there is a strong correlation between dog breed and specific diseases they may be prone to if spayed before sexual maturity.
If you are adopting an older, unspayed female dog, the benefits of spaying are still worth it. If she has developed aggressive tendencies, they may not disappear, but they may lessen and become fewer and far between.
Ultimately, when to spay is a decision best made with your family vet. Nasa Pet Hospital is here to help you weigh the potential risks and benefits in order to make an informed and confident decision about when to spay your pet.
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