It is one of those decisions that almost everyone has to make and about which many half-formed ideas circulate. That they get fat, that they change their personality, that a female "needs" to have a litter. Let's organize what is known, without drama and without selling the operation as a magic solution.
Are neutering and sterilization the same?
In everyday language they are used as synonyms, but they are not:
- Neutering: the testicles are removed in the male or the ovaries (sometimes also the uterus) in the female. Heat and sex hormones disappear.
- Sterilization in the strict sense: reproduction is prevented, for example with a vasectomy or ligation, but the hormones are maintained and, with them, heat and much of the associated behaviors.
In practice, what is almost always done in clinics is neutering, and that is what we refer to in this article.
Real advantages
- Goodbye to unwanted litters. It seems obvious, but it is the main reason and the one that prevents the most abandonment.
- In females, the risk of pyometra disappears, an infection of the uterus that can be very serious, if the uterus or ovaries are removed.
- Less risk of mammary tumors in female dogs, especially when the operation is done young. The protection is greater the earlier the dog is neutered and goes down with heat.
- In males, less marking and fewer escapes after females in heat. In male cats, marking with urine usually reduces a lot.
- Goodbye to heat in female cats, which can repeat several times per season and are exhausting for her and for the house.
What it does not do: it does not turn a dog with behavioral problems into another dog. It can help with behaviors linked to hormones, but fear or aggression for other causes are worked on with education and, if necessary, with a professional.
The most repeated myths
"If you neuter them, they get fat"
Here the myth has part of the truth. After neutering energy needs drop and appetite usually increases, so the risk of overweight increases. It is not inevitable: it is enough to adjust the portion, monitor treats and maintain exercise. Weighing them occasionally in the first few weeks helps catch it in time.
"A female has to have at least one litter"
There is no basis for this. A female dog or cat does not need to raise to be healthy or balanced.
"It will change their personality"
They will still be the same animal, with the same personality. What changes are the sexual behaviors: looking for a mate, marking, mounting.
At what age?
Here there is no universal age, and it is advisable to distrust anyone who gives it without knowing the animal.
- In cats, the usual is to do it early, around 4-6 months, before the first heat.
- In small and medium dogs, many veterinarians propose it around 6-12 months.
- In large and giant dogs, it is increasingly common to wait until they finish growing, because in some breeds a relationship has been seen between very early neutering and certain joint problems. It has to be weighed against the risk of mammary tumors in females, which increases with heat.
That is why the age is decided with your veterinarian, taking into account breed, size, sex, health and how the animal lives.
What does the law say in Spain?
The Law 7/2023 on animal welfare, in force since September 2023, includes the obligation to identify with a microchip and sterilize cats before six months, except those registered in the breeders registry. In dogs there is no general obligation to neuter. As some aspects of the law are still pending development and each community and municipality can have its own rules, it is advisable to consult the regulations of your area.
Before and after the operation
- Prior fasting: follow exactly the hours indicated by the clinic.
- Elizabethan collar or surgical bodysuit so they do not lick or bite the stitches.
- Rest for a few days: no jumping, running or baths until they tell you.
- Check the wound daily. If you see swelling, discharge, bleeding or that it is listless and does not eat, call the clinic.
- Adjust the food from the beginning to prevent them from gaining weight.
Most dogs and cats recover in a few days and return to their normal life without further ado.
For that adjustment of the portion after the operation, in our dog food section you will find products to organize their daily meals.
You may also be interested in: dog hygiene and cat grooming.