There could be various reasons why pet owners neuter their dogs. Most of them do so to avoid the possibility of puppies. While some of them do it for the health-related benefits of their pet. Regardless of the reason, neutering a male dog is considered responsible pet ownership.
Now the question is if neutering your dog triggers any personality changes. This is one of the most common questions asked by pet owners.
Well, neutering can bring certain behavioral changes in your dog, but these can vary from one dog to another. Any pet owner who wants to neuter their pets must know about after neutering dog behavior. This is why we have laid down a detailed guide below. If you are planning to neuter your male dog in the future you may find this post useful.
Common Behavioral Changes Seen After Neutering
New pet owners need to understand that neutering is a very normal process and many dog owners do it. This surgical process is also considered good for your dog’s health. However, neutering your pet will trigger significant hormonal changes in your dog. This in return can lead to certain behavioural changes in your pet. But then again these changes vary from one dog to the next.
Some of the most common behavioural changes to expect include:
- Many male dogs will stop humping or mounting other dogs, inanimate objects, and the owner’s leg once they are neutered. But some dogs may retain this behaviour, especially if you have neutered them late in life.
- A neutered dog is less likely to urinate around the house. What we mean is they will stop with their territorial marking behaviour.
- Once you neuter your male dog, it reduces the chances of them wandering in search of female dogs. If your male dog is always trying to escape from the house or backyard, then neutering them could solve the problem once and for all.
- Neutering can also make your dog calmer. This is especially true for very aggressive dogs. But this will only work if you neuter them early in life.
These are all long-term changes, so it will take time to manifest. For some dogs, it can take just a few weeks and for others, it may happen over months following the operation.
Besides these long-term changes, you can expect to see some short-term changes as well. These changes are exhibited by your pet just hours or days later the operation. Some of the most common short-term changes include:
- Confusion
- Mild depression
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
- Lethargy
- Sleepiness
- Bathroom accidents
If you see any of these changes in your dog, there’s nothing to worry about as they are pretty normal. These problems should go away within a few days. However, if you are bothered with your dog’s behaviour, you should contact the vet without any hesitation.
You should contact the vet if these changes stay longer than a few days or if you notice any signs of infection around the incision site. You must take your dog to the vet if it has pain or swelling around the wound, or starts vomiting.
How to monitor the neuter surgery incision?
Once you are done with the neutering process, it is your responsibility to monitor the incision spot. You must monitor the spot from time to time to make sure that there’s no sign of infection.
The neutering process impacts every dog differently. For some dogs, it doesn’t bother them much, while others may experience some issues. If you notice any of the signs around your dog’s incision spot, you must contact a vet.
- Discharge from the incision
- Redness and swelling around the incision site
- A foul smell coming from the incision
- Pain around the incision site
- Dehiscence or the opening of the incision where subcutaneous tissues are visible
How to prevent self-trauma after neutering?
Self-trauma is one of the most common complications that result from neutering. This is when your pet inflicts damage potentially with their paws or tongues. This type of behaviour can lead to dehiscence or infection.
Here are some tips that can help you prevent all these from happening:
- You must get a dog cone collar and keep it on. This will prevent your dog from scratching or biting the wound.
- The times when you remove the cone collar, keep a close watch on your dog. You should remove the collar only during eating or walking and put it back immediately when done.
- Dogs are clever animals. Sometimes, they may rub the wound on different surfaces. Stop your pet from doing it as soon as you see it.
How long does it take for a dog to recover from neutering surgery?
Well, there is no definite answer to this as the recovery time can vary from one dog to another. It also depends on the age and size of the dog.
Here are some useful guidelines for dogs:
- Usually, senior or larger dogs take a longer recovery period.
- It takes around 2-4 days for dogs to recover to their normal selves after neuter.
- Dogs older than 3 years may take a few days extra to recover fully.
- Older dogs above the age of 6 years can take up to a whole week to come back to their normal selves after the surgery.
- Smaller dogs take the least time to recover. That’s because they get smaller incisions that heal quickly. Not just that, but the risk of bleeding is also lower in smaller dogs.
Final Words
So what we know is dogs do exhibit behavioral changes. Some of these changes are short-term and others are long-term. Generally, it takes just a few days for a dog to recover from the neuter surgery. But if your dog is old or bigger, then it may take longer for them to recover. However, neutering your dog is essential for their well-being. It not only prevents them from giving birth to more puppies but also reduces the risk of many types of canine cancer.
