To cut or not to cut, that is the address! Yes, cover your dog’s ears because today we are discussing the subject of neutering. In technical terms, neutering is the removal of a male dog’s genitals, e.g. their crown jewels, so they can no longer reproduce and give birth to little puppies. Neutering can be a little uncomfortable for your puppy, but it is completely safe and necessary. The PDSA recommends that all dogs be neutered unless their vet specifically recommends it. Around 4 to 6 months of age, most puppies have their cut, but ” what are the signs that your dog needs to be neutered? ” Let’s take a closer look.
Signs that your dog needs to be neutered
The optimal time for neutering is as soon as your dog reaches sexual maturity. This age varies from breed to breed but is usually around 4-6 months. Once your dog reaches sexual maturity, he may also begin to behave in certain ways, which may signal to you that he is ready for the cut.
Here are some signs that your dog needs to be neutered:
Climb and buck
When your dog’s crown jewels are intact, it produces the hormone testosterone. This is a sex hormone that gives male puppies the drive to reproduce and can cause them to behave in certain ways out of sexual desire or dominance. If your puppy jumps around a little too much with his favorite stuffed animal or regularly hangs out with dogs at the park, it could be a sign that your dog needs to be neutered.
Excessive urine marking
It is normal for male dogs to urinate on a lamppost or fire hydrant during their daily walk to mark their ‘territory’. But if this is too big or happens indoors, this is one of the signs that your dog needs to be neutered. Urine marking is another form of dominance that is influenced by the hormone testosterone, and while it’s fine for them to do it outside, you don’t want them to get used to doing it indoors and dirtying up your beautiful white walls!
Fly regularly
Dogs naturally have a strong sex drive and a strong sense of smell. So when your male puppy thinks it’s time to settle down and start a family, or when he smells a female in heat nearby, he can often take flight. While we don’t want to hold him back in search of love, unwanted puppies can cause him to be abandoned, and his expeditions can cause him to get lost or endangered by traffic. Therefore, if your dog becomes an escape artist, talk to your vet about neutering.
Restlessness + stubbornness
When testosterone levels are high in a male dog’s body, his drive to find a lover is about much more than just pleasing his pet. If your dog is more restless than normal, pulls too much on the leash when he sees a female dog nearby or is more stubborn than usual and does not follow commands, this may be a sign that your dog needs to be spayed. However, this behavior can also be due to poor dog training. If in doubt, contact your vet for expert advice.
Aggressive behavior
The last and one of the most worrying signs that your dog needs to be neutered is aggressive behavior. This usually happens between two unkilled dogs when they are competing for territory or the affection of female dogs. However, aggression can have many other causes, such as previous trauma or lack of socialization of the puppy. Therefore, it is unwise to talk to your veterinarian if your dog is showing signs of aggression so that you can develop an effective treatment plan.
Why should I castrate my dog?
Now that you know the signs that your dog needs to be neutered, let’s discuss why he is so rude. Aside from controlling behavioral problems associated with high testosterone levels and sex drive, neutering your dog helps prevent an increase in the number of stray dogs abandoning unwanted puppies.
It also has health benefits for your dog: it prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate problems later in life.
Neutering your dog is also a way to save on unexpected costs when taking care of a litter of puppies. As sweet and cuddly as a litter of puppies can be, the cost of vaccinations and vet exams can add up quickly and if you’re not prepared, it can be overwhelming.
How do I castrate my dog?
Neutering dogs is a simple task for your veterinarian. Talking to him should therefore be your first port of call if you are considering neutering your dog. Neutering usually costs between £100 and £400, depending on the dog or your vet clinic, but some organizations offer it for free, such as the Blue Cross and the RSPCA.
The impotence of good nutrition after castration
When your dog is neutered and his testosterone levels drop, so does his metabolism, which is the body’s ability to convert food into energy. They often relax a little and reduce the effort by running away and chasing after the girls.
For this reason, neutered dogs are more likely to gain weight, especially if they are not fed properly. The Kennel Club recommends reducing the amount of food your dog eats by around 10% after neutering and feeding him nutritious dog food. Using a nutrition calculator is another great way to know exactly how much to feed your dog to keep him in perfect condition.
How Scrumbles dog nourishment can offer assistance to your recently fixed canine
We know it can be difficult to balance your newly neutered dog’s nutritional needs with his fluctuating energy levels. But when you give your dog Scrumbles natural dog food, you don’t have to worry anymore!
All of our dog food is nutritionally complete and balanced, providing your dog with all the essential vitamins and minerals he or she needs to continue to thrive and maintain their ideal weight.
We only use human-quality meat, avoid unpleasant additives or preservatives and never add unnecessary sugar and salt, which can contribute to dog weight gain.
Our wide range of dry food and wet food for dogs can be fed to all dogs, regardless of age. Simply adjust the feeding amount according to their weight and size to keep them tidy.
We also add gut-loving probiotics or prebiotics to all of our dog foods to maintain the health of their gut microbiome and promote beautiful stools. Plus, there’s a variety of flavors, so there’s something for even the pickiest of dogs! Click for more
