Strange Behavior After Neutering Dog: How to Handle It

Have you ever heard about strange behavior after neutering a dog? With the things you have read about neutering, does this make you feel anxious and uneasy, too? Most probably, it also changed your mind to have your dogs neutered, right? While neutering can be frightening for pet owners, are there any specific benefits and advantages for beloved dogs, or will it just alter their behaviors?

Strange Behavior After Neutering Dog? Neutering is typically a safe process for male pups and dogs. However, expect some changes in your pet’s behavior right after the procedure. Aggression, anxiety, depression, and clinginess are the most common strange behaviors once you bring them home. Take note that these changes are just temporary and will subside as time goes by.

What Is Dog Neutering?

 Dog Neutering

Sterilizing or neutering a dog involves the removal of testicles. Also known as orchiectomy, this procedure decreases sex drive and prevents prostate-related cancer in canines. It also helps to improve their mood over time. Typically, the genital and the sac that holds the testes are not affected. However, it will create a scar in the sac that will eventually fade through time. 

Why Is It Done?

Orchiectomy involves the removal of testes which are responsible for the production of male hormones. This process primarily diminishes sex drive in males, prevents prostate cancer, and enhances their behavior, though some breeds are naturally playful and aggressive. While having pups and dogs inside the house is fun and exciting, overcrowding it is a challenge! As a responsible dog owner, one must know the roles and responsibilities associated with it.

How Is It Done?

Before making an incision, your dog will be under general anesthesia. Once sedated, the vet will make a small cut in front of their scrotum to remove the testicles, then tie off the vas deferens to stop bleeding. Unlike recovery, the procedure only takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

How Much Does It Cost?

The cost of dog sterilization usually differs. It usually costs you around $200 in private vet clinics. You may be able to find some low-cost programs in other clinics, which vary from $45 to $200. Please take note that their weight has something to do with the cost. If you plan to neuter your dog but have no idea where to go in your location, try searching on the web. 

The Difference Between Spaying and Neutering in Dogs

Spaying and Neutering in Dogs

Spaying and neutering are terms used in sterilizing female and male dogs. Spaying is the process of removing the uterus and both of the ovaries in female dogs. On the other hand, neutering is the process that involves the removal of the testicles in male dogs. Typically, both require sedating the dogs under general anesthesia. 

Will My Dogs Get Pain Relievers After Surgery?

Yes! Dogs will have take-home meds, including pain relievers, to help them manage discomfort after surgery. Typically, your vet will inject a pain reliever right after the procedure, which should ease them for another 12 hours or so. It is crucial to follow the doctor’s advice when giving meds. Never use human pain relievers! Some pain relievers that work well with humans are poisonous to canines.

How Long Does It Take For a Neutered Dog to Calm Down?

While dog neutering is quick, the healing process is way longer. It usually takes two to four weeks to recover and might even take up to six weeks! As mentioned, some undesirable effects during recovery include anxiety, depression, and even aggression. Since recovery usually takes time, patience is certainly necessary because you won’t see immediate behavioral improvement.

Changes in your dog’s behavior right after the procedure can be scary and confusing. However, these are just temporary and should not disturb you. Instead of worrying, you might want to check some tips and techniques to calm your dog once they show strange behavior after sterilization.

Tips to Calm Down your Dogs

Calm Down your Dogs

To our pets, post-surgery effects can feel very strange. These effects can aggravate your dog, resulting in strange behavior after neutering the dog. As a pet owner, you need to understand that your dog is only trying to cope, so your task should be to help make it feel as comfortable as possible.

A Quiet Place to Rest

Although the pain and discomfort felt by your dog right after the surgery is temporary, it is still best to provide them a quiet place to recover. Having their own space, away from other pets, will give them more time to rest without any interruption. Hence, faster recovery is expected. 

Provide a Dog Kennel

Aside from calm and quiet surroundings, a dog kennel can help in their recovery process. A kennel typically provides a sense of security for dogs, where they can’t be bothered by other pets who roam and play around the house. The dog kennel is the perfect place when dogs feel tired, sick, or agitated. 

Check the Incision Site Daily

Vets usually advise pet owners to monitor dogs while on recovery. Checking the incision site daily and taking note of any redness, swelling, or watery discharge is necessary. Any of these signs might be an early sign of infection. If you notice that the incision is open and usually soaked in blood, call your vet immediately as it may suggest an open wound. Ensure the wound is healing by regular cleaning and changing of gauze pad.

Wear a Cone or Recovery Suit

Dogs usually use their mouth to explore things, thus licking is an ordinary activity for them. They tend to lick others and their own body for grooming purposes. Since your dog has a wound, the tendency of licking it over and over is high, which may cause infection. Thus, wearing a cone or a recovery jumpsuit is recommended for faster healing without any complications.

Do Not Bathe or Swim

It may seem gross not to bathe your dog after neutering, but this actually helps in wound recovery. Moreover, never allow your dog to swim while the wound is still fresh and new. A moist environment harbors bacteria, which can lead to wound infection.

Give Him His Favorite Treat or Toy

Giving him his favorite toy once he gets home right after surgery might be a great help in his recovery stage. The presence of his toys on his side can make him feel warm, relaxed, and comfortable. Aside from toys, you might offer his favorite treats for his speedy recovery. 

Prevent Him From Running and Jumping

Dogs are naturally playful; they love roaming, running, and jumping. However, if your dog underwent surgery, stop them from doing these strenuous activities to facilitate a speedy recovery. These activities might open the incision site, which may lead to complications. Vets typically advised pet owners to limit activities until two weeks. 

What are the Benefits of Neutering?

Benefits of Neutering

There are many reasons why pet owners choose to neuter their dogs. Here are some of the most common benefits of dog neutering:

Lessen Homelessness

Sadly, not all dogs are being accommodated, resulting in homelessness. With this situation, responsible pet owners choose to neuter their dogs to prevent high numbers of stray dogs. No matter how many shelters are there in the community, countless dogs are still in the streets, with no home to stay. Nowadays, the overpopulation of dogs even results in euthanasia or mercy killing. 

Reduce the Occurrence of Testicular Cancers

Aside from a significant decrease in sexual drive, dog neutering shows improvement in the reproductive system. Canines are also predisposed to developing cancers, prostate diseases, diabetes, and perianal fistulas. Through this surgery, dogs are more likely not to have any of the mentioned ailments.  

Improves Behavior and Easier to Train

Male dogs are often more aggressive than female ones because of their testosterone level. Typically, this hormone makes male dogs get dominant, roam around, and even mark their territories. Due to this, owners often have difficulties training them and might even lead to injuries and accidents. Neutering dogs show a significant decrease in any of these events. Although the result may not be visible a few weeks after the process, improved behavior often occurs as time goes by. Without the testes to produce testosterone hormone, dogs are now easier to tame and behave. 

Most Suitable Age to Neuter a Dog

Male puppies can undergo sterilization as early as eight weeks, while male dogs can be neutered on their six to nine months, just when they hit puberty stage. If your dogs are older and often show undesirable behaviors, or often in heat and humps female dogs, you might want to talk to the vet to know the best time to undergo the process. Always check with your vets if you have doubts or concerns regarding the procedure. 

Is There a Need to Neuter My Dog?

Neutering your dog always depends on your preference as a pet owner. Remember, dogs are all unique, and situations are not always the same. Check how they behave in the house and to others. If you notice aggressiveness and often mark their territories thru urinating, then you might consider neutering. If they are at risk of impregnating female dogs in your house, and you’re afraid of overcrowding, then neutering can be a great option. If you don’t see any need for your pet to undergo this operation and just want to know more about it, you may consider visiting the nearest vet in your area to discuss this matter.

Author

  • Brad

    Hi I'm Brad, the founder of bulldogpapa.com. Having been a vet of 6 years I work alongside our team to provide valuable insight into your dog's health. I have a frenchie myself named Senzu who is my pride and joy!

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