How Neutering Affects Pet Behavior

In addition to the problem of overpopulation in dogs and cats, neutering your pet can help solve many problems. The procedure can impact your pet’s health and even their behavior. If you’re experiencing behavioral issues with your unneutered pet, you should consider talking to a veterinarian about having this simple procedure done.

Effects On Behavior

While getting neutered affects dogs and cats differently, there’s a good chance it will improve your pet’s behavior no matter what species. These behavioral changes will influence not only your pet but also your relationship with them.

Dogs

There are three significant ways this procedure will affect a dog’s behavior.

• Hinders Mounting

  First, it can help prevent your dog from mounting. Mounting is when a dog will physically mount either a human or another dog. This can be brought on by stress, anxiety, attention-seeking, or arousal.

• Prevents Urine Marking

  This procedure is also a way to prevent your dog from urine marking. This is also known as marking their territory. The urge to mark can decrease, which will protect your home from the negative impact and smell of your dog’s marking.

• Hampers The Urge to Fight

  Finally, neutering can also help suppress your dog’s urge to fight. The surgery will suppress the desire to protect their territory and other natural instincts. This cuts down on potential causes of fighting and therefore cutting down on the fights. Some people can consider this the most beneficial behavioral change in your dog because it helps protect you, your pet, and other people around you.

More than half of neutered dogs have either reduced or completely removed these behaviors. In turn, it will help improve the dog’s relationship with its owner, other people, and other animals.

Cats

Several aspects of a cat’s behavior can be impacted by getting them neutered.

• Hinders Roaming

  The first of which is roaming. Roaming is when a cat wanders away from their home and owner, searching for potential mates, places to mark their territory, and even having an adventure. Post-surgery, around 90% of cats will no longer roam.

• Suppresses Fighting

  Fighting is another behavior that will be lessened in about 90% of neutered cats. This is important for outdoor cats and the homes with more than one animal. Like dogs, fighting is typically caused when their territory is under threat. Outdoor cats have a more significant risk because they will be more at risk of disease after fighting a feral cat. This procedure can protect your cat in and out of your home.

• Diminishes the Urge to Mark with Urine (spraying)

  Lastly, 90% of cats will have their urge to urine mark diminished. This is a massive benefit of neutering because it will prevent your home from stinking. Cats mark their territory for similar reasons as dogs do, to feel protected and to protect their area. Unfortunately, cat urine has a distinct and pungent smell that is difficult to get rid of. Get your cat neutered before they can ruin the interior of your home.

Other Benefits Of Neutering

Additional benefits include several health advantages. The surgery can help prevent future prostate issues. If you do not get your dog neutered and they develop a prostate problem, they could have to undergo surgery anyway to solve the issue. This common surgery can also prevent tumors and hernias.

The benefits of getting your cat neutered are that it can lessen the pungent smell of your cat’s urine. It also helps decrease the risk of asthma and gum disease for your cat. The lack of testosterone can also cause your cat to lose the masculine features that are present to protect them during fights.

Neutering In Pompano Beach, Florida

Get the best available care and medical treatment for your pet. Bring them into All Aboard Animal Hospital for top-rated veterinary services in South Florida. Behavioral changes aren’t the only benefits you’ll get when neutering your pet, but it’s a great start. Call us today at 954-785-7780 to schedule a veterinary appointment.