Neutering your dog contributes to better overall health and a longer life for your pet, and peace of mind for you. Unless there is a specific reason otherwise, it's always the responsible choice to neuter your pet. So ignore all the objections you might hear, and make the appointment as soon as you can!

Health advantages
Spaying bitches reduces the chances of developing breast cancer, as well as helping to eliminate the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer, and uterine infection, all of which are common in unneutered females. Unplanned pregnancy can also place your bitch at risk from breeding with a mate whose pups will be too big for her to give birth to safely. It also reduces the risks associated with abortions. Some vets prefer to neuter bitches before they have their first season, but others don't, so discuss the timing with your vet.

Neutering a male dog will prevent testicular tumours and may reduce the risk of prostate problems. It decreases the possibility of perianal tumours and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unneutered dogs. And neutering also reduces the aggressive impulses of your dog, and thus decreases the likelihood of injury due to fighting.

For male dogs, the operation involves removal of both testicles. For bitches, the removal of the womb and ovaries.

A better pet for your family
Of course no family wants to cope with an unwanted litter, but spaying a bitch also eliminates the problem of stray males camping in your garden. Males neutered early in life, meanwhile, are less aggressive toward other males and not distracted by females in heat. Neutered males are also less likely to mark their territory or to try to 'mate' with objects and people.

Dog overpopulation is a problem
Every year, thousands of unwanted dogs are put to sleep at shelters across the country. Many of these are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unneutered dogs. The more dogs spayed or neutered, the fewer will have to be destroyed.

Excuses, excuses
There are a long list of common excuses for not having a dog neutered, but that's all they are. In reality, it's far better to go ahead with the procedure for the sake of your dog, you and your family. For example…

My dog will get fat and lazy - neutering may diminish your dog's natural tendency to wander, but will not affect overall activity levels. When dogs do gain weight after being spayed, it is usually attributed to a combination of overfeeding and inactivity when recovering from the operation.
  
My dog's personality will change  - maybe yes, but for the better. After being spayed, your dog may be less aggressive toward other animals, will be less likely to wander, and may have a better personality. Spraying (urine marking), which is often done to mark territory, diminishes or ceases after they are spayed.

We can sell the puppies and make money - even well-known breeders are fortunate if they break even raising purebred litters - and that is dependent on getting a purebred bitch to a stud dog before she becomes pregnant to an unknown wanderer. The cost of raising such a litter (which includes stud fees, vaccinations and other health care costs) offsets most of the profit. Finding good homes for these puppies can be difficult, and shelters are already crowded with unwanted dogs. It's best to leave breeding to professional dog breeders.

I am concerned about my dog undergoing anaesthesia - the medical benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered far outweigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anaesthesia. Modern veterinary procedures employ equipment that monitors heart and respiratory rates during surgery, ensuring the patient is doing just fine. If you are concerned you can always consult your vet, but remember: this is a routine operation.

Before and after the operation
Normally, your vet will tell you to withhold food and water from your dog for 12 hours before the operation. Most dogs go home the same day, but sometimes your vet may prefer to keep a pet in slightly longer if they are still very sleepy.

After the operation, dogs should be confined to the house for a few days, kept quiet and prevented from jumping, or biting at their sutures. Your vet will discuss post-operative care, including when the sutures will be removed.