Every dog is unique and you should discuss the benefits and risks of neutering with your vet. At IWCT we believe spaying or neutering your dog is responsible to prevent them from having litters of puppies. If your dog has puppies which you cannot keep, it can be hard to sell them. Unwanted puppies end up suffering on the streets as roaming dogs in the Philippines.

Health benefits of spay and neuter

• Neutering male dogs significantly reduces the chance of them getting prostate disease and reduces the risk of some cancers
• Spaying female dogs reduces the risk of them getting breast cancer (known as ‘mammary cancer’ in dogs) which can be fatal. There is also evidence to suggest that spaying before two and a half years may reduce the risk the most.
• Spaying your dog eliminates the risk of an infection of the womb (called pyometra), which studies show affects up to a quarter of unneutered female dogs and can be fatal. If your dog is suffering from pyometra and needs to be spayed as part of treatment, this will be more expensive than spaying a healthy dog. The risks of the surgery are also likely to be much greater.
• Pregnancy and birth can be risky to the mother
• Many unneutered female dogs have a false pregnancy after a season and, although this is natural, it can cause behavioural and medical problems

Benefits for you

• If a female gets pregnant, it can be very expensive and puppies need a lot of care. Neutering your dog will make sure that you don’t have to worry about expensive vet bills and caring for new puppies at all hours! 
• Female dogs in heat can be messy – they produce a bloody discharge which can last for around three weeks
• You should check your female dog’s nipples and mammary glands regularly for mammary tumours if they have not been spayed when young. We recommend doing this every three months.

If a dog has a behaviour issue

Speak to your vet and a qualified behaviourist if you’re worried about any aspect of your dog’s behaviour, as neutering can make certain problem behaviours worse. They will be able to advise you on how to help manage your dog’s behaviour whether you choose to have them neutered or not.

It’s commonly believed that neutering will help young dogs ‘calm down’, but there isn’t any real evidence for this. If your young dog is boisterous, not coming when called or generally ignoring you on walks, our information on adolescence in dogs might help.

What are the risks of neutering?

As with all surgery, neutering carries a risk. Although complications are rare, the risk depends on factors including the health of your dog, age and breed. You can read more in our blog about spaying and neutering.

Download our spay/neuter guide: