Most family dogs live within homes that give them plenty of love and companionship over their lifespan. One of the most important things you can do as a pet owner is to desex your furry friends. Not only does it give them many health benefits, but it also helps our society.
Unless you’re a professional, registered dog breeder, it’s important to desex your male dog. Here’s why desexing is so important:
Giving dogs a chance at life
Hundreds of thousands of dogs are surrendered to pounds and shelters every single year in Australia. Many of these dogs that are surrendered are a result of unwanted or unplanned pregnancies, either within homes or from strays.
Desexing your male dog ensures they don’t add to the overwhelming number of dogs our shelters receive. This helps to reduce the amount of animals that are euthanised, and gives more of our four-legged friends a chance at finding their forever home.
Healthier, happier companions
Desexing male dogs can reduce difficult behavioural issues, such as mounting, aggression, dominance and possessiveness. If the procedure is done before your dog learns adult sexual behaviour, it can even reduce issues related to being overly territorial. This comprises things like excessive marking and urinating indoors, or desperately escaping the home to roam the streets to find females on heat. By reducing your dog’s need to roam and their instinct to mate with females, you’ll be decreasing the chances of them being hit by cars, attacked by other dogs, or even fall into the wrong hands.
Many pet owners are fearful that desexing causes personality changes in their dogs. This is simply untrue; while your dog will need time to recover from castration, including adequate care and attention to ensure they don’t hurt themselves by pulling out stitches or exercising vigorously, your dog will soon go back to their playful, happy selves.
By desexing your dog, you’ll also decrease the risks of reproductive diseases, such as testicular cancer, prostate enlargement or hernias associated with testosterone. Fewer illnesses to worry about means you’ll be able to look after and play with your furry loved ones for as long as possible.
Keeping your costs down
Most local councils have restrictions and costs associated with dogs that have not been desexed. By desexing your dog, you’ll ensure that your registration fees are kept low and affordable each year (and have more money for treats and toys!)
When to desex your dog
At Matraville Veterinary Practice, we generally advise on desexing your dog at around 5-6 months of age. Most breeds are sexually mature by this time and are capable of reproducing.
By ensuring your male dog is desexed around this age, they will experience less tissue trauma and fewer complications around anatomical structures during surgery. Having less time under general anaesthetic and fewer complications or risks to be concerned about, you’ll be giving your companion an easier and shorter recovery time.
Need to book your pet in to be desexed? Or do you have any questions about the recovery time and procedure itself? Give us a call and we’ll help you determine the best way forward for your dog.