Dealing With A Neutered Dog: The Facts & The Fairytales
Curious how a neutered dog might behave? Here's what to expect - and what to consider before you head to your vet.
If you’ve been wondering if you should get your dog the snip, you’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know about living with a neutered dog, what behavioral changes to keep an eye out for, and where a smart dog tracker can help.
Key Takeaways
Getting your dog neutered (castrated) is a big decision you should talk over with your vet first, as it can have both good and bad effects depending on your dog’s age, size, and breed.
One big change after neutering is that your dog will likely become less active and could gain weight easily. To keep them healthy, you need to make sure they stick to a consistent exercise routine and get a vet-approved diet.
You can use the Tractive smart dog tracker to keep track of your dog’s activity so they don’t get overweight after the surgery. The tracker also has a Virtual Fence feature that sends you an alert if your dog runs off, which is a great safety measure.
Neutering, sterilization, castration…what’s the difference?
“Sterilizing” is a broad term, including both male and female animals. This involves a specific surgical procedure to ensure your dog is no longer fertile. “Neutering” or “castrating” a male dog means removing their testes. “Spaying” a female dog means removing their uterus and ovaries.
At the same time, sterilization procedures don’t just include neutering.1 For example, a procedure like a vasectomy would only prevent your dog from being fertile – it wouldn’t affect your dog’s behavior otherwise. A procedure like an orchietomy is what vets usually mean when they suggest “neutering” – i.e., removing your dog’s testes. This kind of procedure might result in the kind of neutered dog behavior you might be expecting. (Like a lack of sexual behavior.)
Usually, your vet might instruct you to bring your dog or cat to their clinic around the morning – fasted, or without having eaten any food from 10 pm or so the previous evening. (Though they’re allowed to drink water.) You’d then have to leave them at the clinic for your team of vets to do the surgery. Then, you’d have to pick up your pet later in the afternoon once they’ve woken up
Your team of vets will make sure your dog is fully anaesthetised during the surgery. They might also give your dog pain medication to overcome any discomfort once they’re finished. After, they’ll keep your dog hydrated via a drip to ensure their blood pressure stays normal. You might need to keep your dog on pain medication for a couple of days after. They might be a bit sore and squirm around in discomfort, as they heal.
⚠️ Just remember: this is a permanent procedure – so think carefully before you want to make this decision. (I.e., whether to simply sterilize your dog or neuter them completely.)
How much does it cost to get a dog neutered?
For a healthy dog, the average cost of neutering can range between $75-$200 – depending on a range of factors.2 Some of which include your dog’s age, size, breed, and weight. All of these can affect how well your dog is likely to respond to surgery – and any complications that might arise in them handling being anaesthetized. Besides, other factors like your area of residence, the specific vet practice, and the kind of medication used can all play a role.
💡On the bright side, many vet practices can help support you with the costs through specific payment plans. Else, you could go for an affordable voucher from Humane Solution to assist with the costs. (Provided you’re eligible.)
Is it mandatory to sterilize your dog?
Depending on where you live, sterilizing your dog might actually be a legal requirement! Some US states, for example, include mandatory requirements to spay or neuter your dog once they’ve passed 8 months of age. So make sure to check your local laws and with your vet to make the best decision.
Signs your dog needs to be neutered
Every dog has a mating instinct – and the urge to follow through on it is one of the biggest reasons behind an uncontrolled pet population. You should consider getting your dog neuetered if:
They’re an escape artist and tend to run away from home once they’ve sniffed out a female in heat.
They’re aggressive, especially as a result of poor training or socialization.
They’re territorial and like to “mark” their spots with urine
They have cryptorchidism – i.e., when their testicles haven’t descended yet in the scrotum.
They have anatomical abnormalities, like an enlarged prostate gland.
They’re from a breed vulnerable to health issues, like the brachycephalic dog breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, etc.)
⚠️ However, we’d strongly advise you to only take this decision after consulting with your vet. There are both upsides and downsides to neutering your dog – and ultimately, factors like your dog’s age, sex, breed, and overall health can all play a role.
Follow your dog anywhere
Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.
The first perk to getting your dog neutered is no unwanted pregnancies, since your dog will no longer respond to nearby females in heat. They’re also less likely to escape from home and roam the neighborhood to find a mate. Keep in mind that most animal shelters in the US are overcrowded and unable to rehome many dogs that end up there. So it’s possible they might not be able to accomodate an unwanted litter of puppies. (Who might end up being euthanized instead.)
A neutered dog might also be less likely to engage in territorial behaviors like urinary marking. They might also be less aggressive around other male dogs – who, likewise, might be less likely to sniff yours out as a ‘rival.’ And yes, it’s possible your dog might not engage in sexual behaviors like mounting or humping pillow (or even people’s legs.)
Finally, in some cases, neutered dogs may have a reduced risk of testicular cancer and prostate disease.
What are the downsides of neutering your dog?
Around 2-3 months after your dog’s gotten the snip, their bodies are adjusting and adapting to the change. So they might be less active than before, with a near 30% drop in their energy (as their testosterone levels lower.) This means they’ll be more likely to gain weight, due to the lack of activity and if you’re feeding them the same as before.
Because of this, your vet might prescribe you a specialized diet that contains fewer calories, more protein, and fewer fats. This is to help your dog maintain a healthy weight for their age, size, and breed – and prevent weight-related health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and pancreatitis.
Besides, it’s important to continue your dog’s daily routine – i.e., with regular walks, playtime, and outdoor time. Because if you neglect their daily exercise, it’s possible they might get even more sedentary (and overweight) as a result.
Other risks associated with neutering a dog
Neutering your dog might also come with other health risks. Which is why it’s important to discuss the issue with your vet first – keeping in mind your dog’s age, genetic history, and any medical conditions. For example, a 10-year study by UC Davis found that:3
Larger dog breeds were more vulnerable to joint problems than smaller dog breeds. (Though exceptions do exist, like Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds.)
Some smaller dog breeds were more likely to develop different types of cancer after neutering. (Like Boston Terriers and Shih Tzus.)
Some medium-sized dog breeds like Golden Retrievers were 3 times more vulnerable to cancer after spaying or neutering.
Now while this sounds scary, it bears repeating: always consult your vet first before taking this decision. They can help you make an informed choice what might best suit your dog, based on their age, size, breed, and other health risks.
Can neutering really reduce my dog’s aggression?
It depends. Keep in mind that aggression in dogs is usually a defensive response. It may result from fear, stress, anxiety, improper training, or a lack of socialization. Also, testosterone isn’t solely produced by your dog’s testicles! Your dog’s adrenal glands and kidneys also help produce some of it. So while neutering might help reduce aggression, you might still need to train your dog to reduce any such behaviors. (Or enroll them in an obedience program.)
“…Neutering alone may not resolve these problem behaviours completely and behavioural intervention will also be needed.”
Didhelp reduce aggressive behaviors towards dogs and other animals
Did not help reduce aggressive behaviors against people
Did not help reduce anxiety or fear in dogs – in fact, it actually increased some dogs’ anxiety.
All of these factors mean that when making this decision, it’s important to consider your dog’s individual situation beforehand – their temperament, training, socialization, and what habits they’ve picked up over the years.
When can a dog get neutered?
Vets generally recommend neutering smaller dogs between 6-12 months, since they have fewer risks of developing orthopedic issues. Likewise, they recommend neutering larger dogs between 9-18 months, since they have a higher risk of developing orthopedic issues. Other studies have found that dogs castrated before 2 years of age are less likely to experience post-surgery complications than older dogs. Puppies and adult dogs also seem to recover more rapidly after castration.
Your dog’s breed and sex does play a role here as well. For example, the same UC Davis study found that female Boston terriers spayed at 6 months had no increased risk of joint problems or cancers compared to intact dogs. Male Boston terriers neutered before 1 year of age had higher risks for these health issues.
Besides, every surgical procedure increases the risk your dog might experience some complication in recovery – or another health problem, like parvovirus or developing hip dysplasia. So it’s important to always discuss your dog’s individual circumstances with your vet first. They can help you make the best decision once you’ve considered all the factors involved.
Wrapping up: Busting 3 myths about neutered dog behavior
1. Your castrated dog can’t experience pleasure anymore
Not true. Most animals don’t feel pleasure during sex – including your dog. It’s a matter of natural instinct for them. If you’re deciding to castrate your dog to get rid of unwanted behaviors like humping, try training them out of this behavior first. Rubbing against objects can be simply a habit they’ve picked – not necessarily due to their sex drive. Even if you castrate your dog, there are high chances that they’d keep rubbing against people or things if you haven’t addressed the underlying behavior.
2. Your castrated dog is immediately infertile
Nope, not immediately after castration. Some dogs can remain fertile up to 6 weeks after they’ve gotten the snip.6 This means that after the first days of a successfully carried out castration, your male dog could still get another female dog pregnant. So watch your dog carefully when you’re out a walk during the first days after the surgery.
3. I don’t need to castrate my dog – he never leaves my side!
Besides the mating instinct, your dog has a hundred different reasons to run away from home. (Yes, no matter how much of an indoor dog you think they are.) Including:
Boredom
Fear, stress, or anxiety (which you might find heightened in a neutered dog)
Prey drive, or their hunting instinct
Noise anxiety
…and more.
Where a smart dog tracker can help
Whether you’re worried about a pre-surgery escape artist or adjusting their lifestyle afterward, a Tractive smart dog tracker provides essential safety and health tools. Strapped to your dog’s collar, you now have an emergency safety net that helps you stay on top of their health and well-being – with just a glance at your phone.
For example, while you’re waiting for the surgery date, your Tractive device is your best defense. If your dog breaks free from the yard or slips their leash, the real-time GPS tracking lets you follow their every step instantly. This feature can be a literal lifesaver, allowing you to quickly find and secure your dog before they can wander too far.
From your app, you can also set up a secure Virtual Fence around your yard. If your dog’s urge to roam causes them to cross that boundary, you get an instant escape alert on your phone. This early warning gives you time to stop them before a full-blown runaway happens.
Your Tractive tracker can also help you manage your dog’s weight. It monitors their daily movement, exercise, and rest, giving you a clear picture of their actual calorie expenditure. By looking at the activity data, you can make sure you are feeding them the right amount of food to match their energy levels, helping you prevent the accidental weight gain that is so common after neutering.
Your furry friend’s health and wellbeing means as much as to us as it does to you. So we’ve made it a priority to only share medically-relevant content on our blog.
This post was checked, double-checked, and medically verified by Georgia-based vet, Dr. Dwight Alleyne.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Alleyne began his career at a no-kill animal shelter before becoming a licensed veterinary technician. He graduated from Cornell University Veterinary College in 2006 and completed an internship at Purdue University. Now practicing in Georgia, Dr. Alleyne specializes in soft tissue surgery and ultrasounds. He also writes pet health articles on his website, “The Animal Doctor Blog” (www.anmldrblog.com).
Approved by Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM 
