Mary Allen
There are many reasons for spaying male and female dogs. But you should also find out about the possible negative consequences in good time before making the decision. If incontinence and obesity occur after castration, countermeasures can be taken.
Neutering is a popular topic of discussion at dog parks. In most cases, however, it is about the right time for the intervention and the technique used. However, it would be much more important to include possible undesirable consequences in all considerations, such as the often occurring obesity after castration.
First of all, there are possible changes in the fur coat of bitches. In particular, long-haired breeds such as the Irish Setter or Cocker Spaniel, but also crossbreeds, can react to the hormonal changes with increased formation of undercoat and develop what is known as “puppy fur”. What looks cute and pretty in a puppy is perceived by some dog lovers as more of a nuisance in adult dogs.
Incontinence in Females
A “hot topic” is also the incontinence of the castrated bitch. The fact that castration often plays a causal role seems to be proven today. Here, too, the change in the hormone balance is likely to be the trigger that leads to the weakening of the muscles in the bladder and neck and thus to the unconscious loss of urine.
If you are unlucky, this symptom appears shortly after castration, if you are “lucky”, these problems only appear old. In the meantime, however, there are effective medications that still make it possible to live a largely symptom-free life.
Obesity After Castration
Males and females are equally affected by the consequences of castration in connection with their tendency to become overweight. It is by no means the case that all dogs are forced to gain weight after castration if they are fed the same food. Nevertheless, you should be aware of the significantly increased risk and keep an eye on your darling, and the second on the display of the scales below him. The reason for this is that with the elimination of the sex hormones, the metabolism has fewer energy requirements and at the same time the appetite-inhibiting effect of these hormones is eliminated.
Measures Against Obesity
Regular checks on the dog scale ensure an objective assessment of the development because all too often owners like to turn a blind eye or even both eyes until the problem is truly obvious. Especially with high-risk breeds such as Labradors, Spaniels, or Beagles, you should also think about changing the feeding after castration to meet the lower energy requirements.
One thing seems particularly important in this context: if you rest, you rust … and get fat! Only sufficient exercise can compensate for the reduced energy requirement after castration.