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Castration

A representation of Castration

Castration is a surgical procedure in which a dog's gonads are removed. Castration can be performed on both male and female dogs. In this blog post, you can find out more about the reasons, advantages and disadvantages, costs and aftercare of castration in dogs.

Reasons for neutering

There are various reasons why you might want to have your dog neutered. The most common are

  • Prevention of unwanted offspring
  • Reducing the risk of diseases of the reproductive organs, such as uterine inflammation, prostate cancer or mammary tumors
  • Improvement of behavior, e.g. reduction of aggressiveness, marking or heat
  • Fulfilment of legal or contractual requirements, e.g. in certain federal states or with animal welfare organizations

Advantages and disadvantages of neutering

Neutering has both advantages and disadvantages for your dog. You should therefore inform yourself well and discuss with your vet whether neutering makes sense for your dog. Here are some points you should consider:

Advantages

  • Your dog can no longer sire or have unwanted offspring
  • Your dog has a lower risk of developing or dying from diseases of the reproductive organs
  • Your dog can get along better with other dogs and have less stress
  • Your dog may exhibit fewer annoying behaviors, such as constant yowling, running away or jumping up
  • You can control and train your dog more easily

Disadvantages

  • Your dog has to undergo anesthesia and surgery, which are associated with risks
  • Your dog may gain weight and have an altered metabolism
  • Your dog may lose its coat or have an altered coat structure
  • Your dog may suffer from incontinence or urinary tract infections
  • Your dog may change its personality or become depressed

Cost of neutering

The cost of neutering depends on various factors, such as the sex, size, age and health of your dog. Prices can also vary depending on the vet and region. On average, you can expect the following costs:

  • For a male dog: between 100 and 300 euros
  • For a female dog : between 200 and 500 euros

The costs usually include anesthesia, surgery, medication, aftercare and any complications. You should ask your vet in advance which services are included in the price and which may be additional.

Aftercare following neutering

After neutering, your dog needs rest and care to recover from the procedure. You should observe the following points:

  • Follow your vet's instructions regarding feeding, medication and wound care for your dog
  • Check the wound regularly for signs of inflammation, bleeding or suture opening
  • Prevent your dog from licking or scratching the wound by putting a collar or protective suit on it
  • Restrict your dog's exercise for a few days and avoid jumping, climbing stairs or playing wildly
  • Take your dog to the vet for a follow-up examination to check the healing of the wound and remove the stitches

Neutering is an important procedure that can have both positive and negative effects on your dog. You should therefore inform yourself well and weigh up with your vet whether neutering is the best solution for your dog. If you decide to neuter your dog, you should prepare your dog well, keep an eye on the costs and take the aftercare seriously.


The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.

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