Will Spaying Or Neutering Make A Dog Fat?

Many dogs benefit from being spayed or neutered at an appropriate age

. If you do not plan to breed your dog then spaying or neutering is often a good idea for a pet owner. However, some people are reluctant to have their pet spayed or neutered because they are concerned that their dog will become fat. Are they right to be concerned? Will spaying and neutering make their dog fat?

In fact, according to the American College of Theriogenologists, the veterinarians who specialize in reproduction, one of the advantages of remaining intact is that "There is a decreased incidence of obesity in intact male and female dogs and cats, which may be due at least partly to increased metabolic rate." So, the answer is yes, if you have your dog spayed or neutered, then she or he may gain weight.

However, your dog doesn't necessarily have to gain weight. Weight gain is also related to how much you feed your dog and how much exercise your dog gets. You can offset any weight gain your dog experiences following spaying or neutering by adjusting your dog's food and increasing his or her exercise.

For most owners the benefits of spaying or neutering their pet outweighs any drawbacks associated with weight gain.

If you do plan to spay or neuter your dog you should make sure that you wait until your dog has reached sexual maturity. Spaying and neutering when a pet is too young -- before their growth plates have closed and before they have received the benefits of their sexual hormones -- can have adverse health effects. It is usually best to spay or neuter your dog when she or he is around a year old. By this time their growth plates have closed, allowing them to reach their full size. Males have had testosterone so they could develop musculature. Females have reached their full size. Spaying and neutering at this age will have positive effects and can prevent some kinds of cancer later on.

If you prefer to keep your dog intact there are some health benefits associated with keeping dogs intact. There is a decreased incidence of many kinds of cancer in intact dogs, as well as autoimmune disorders. There is also a decreased incidence of hip dysplasia in intact dogs.

Spaying and neutering dogs is a health decision for a dog that should be made by an owner and his or her veterinarian. There are many factors to consider, including the individual dog, the breed, the dog's age, hereditary dispositions to certain diseases, and other issues. A dog's age, breed, gender, his future activities, the household environment and his temperament are all important considerations. There are no one-size-fits-all answers when it comes to deciding whether to spay or neuter a pet.

If you wish to spay or neuter your dog then don't let the issue of weight gain deter you. However, you should consider all of the factors involved in your dog's health. Spaying and neutering is a good decision for many pet owners but it's not a slam-dunk decision.

by: Tristan Andrews

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