Is It Good to Neuter a Pit Bull? 11 Pros and 5 Cons To Consider

If you’re a Pit Bull owner, then you probably heard of neutering your dog to make it well behaved. However, there are many things you should consider before making that decision.

Is it good to neuter a Pit Bull? It is good to neuter a Pit Bull as neutering has more benefits than disadvantages. These benefits include having a calmer, more well-behaved dog and reduced health issues. However, going through with the procedure, you have to know that it also has some disadvantages that you should be aware of.

Keep reading to know more about the pros and cons of neutering your Pit Bull and what you need to consider while making the decision.

Is It Good to Neuter a Pit Bull?

To know if something’s good or bad for your dog, you have first to understand what it means and if it has any risks. So, first things first, what does neutering mean?

Neutering means the surgical procedure of removing your male dog’s reproductive organs. The same procedure is done to female dogs, but it’s called spaying. Both procedures are done under anesthesia.

Overall, having the procedure done is safe and relatively common; however, as it has its benefits, it has its risks. So, here’s a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of neutering or spaying your Pit Bull.

What Is the Best Age to Neuter Your Pit Bull?

It is advised to neuter a male Pit Bull between the ages of 5 and 9 months. After 8 weeks of age, a male dog can be neutered whenever it’s desired. However, most veterinarians recommend waiting until puberty begins, which usually occurs at around 6 months. Check this article to learn more about the best age to neuter a Pit Bull.

Due to testosterone’s role in bone growth, dogs who are neutered before puberty tend to grow a little bit larger than those who are neutered after puberty.

Also, dogs who are overweight or in poor condition, as well as dogs who are neutered when they’re adults, have a slightly higher risk of problems from the procedure.

The advantages of the procedure frequently outweigh the dangers, but if these dangers worry you, it’s recommended to consult your vet.

What Are the Pros of Neutering or Spaying Your Pit Bull?

As mentioned before, the benefits of neutering or spaying procedures outweigh their risk. So, let’s take a close look at these benefits.

Reducing the Risks of Pregnancy

When your Female Pit Bull gives birth, finding homes for your new family members is more difficult than you may imagine. Even if you decide to keep the puppies, you will now have to pay more for food, toys, parasite treatment, and vaccinations for several pups. 

In addition to expenses, the mother’s health may be at risk during birth. Some new mothers may experience significant difficulties giving birth to their puppies and may even experience health issues during feeding. You can prevent all of these possible issues by having your dog spayed.

A Cleaner and Calmer Dog

Your dog might be more peaceful and less prone to an unceasing need to find a mate if they don’t have the want to breed. Males and their intrusive advances and serenades are no longer drawn to the spayed dog.

When a dog is in heat, it won’t have a bloody discharge. This discharge can stain couches, mattresses, and carpets if adequate protection treatments aren’t used.

Additionally, spayed dogs are simpler to get along with. They typically exhibit greater tenderness and affection.

Limits Sexual Behavior

Pit Bull males who have not been neutered often charge into other female dogs when they are going through the heat period. Despite the fact that neutered Pit Bulls also exhibit this behavior, it is clear that overexcitement or a lack of exercise are the only causes of it. 

The dog may not have received the correct training regarding what is and is not acceptable behavior. Neutering can lessen it in addition to training. You can learn more about the Pit Bull’s heat cycle here.

Reduces The Chances of Your Dog Having Cancer

Your pitbull’s risk of acquiring testicular cancer is decreased by neutering him. According to various studies, 7% of male dogs that are not neutered get testicular tumors.

A Spayed dog is not prone to uterine infections, ovarian cysts, and reproductive tract cancer as they don’t have a uterus and ovaries. Dogs that are spayed prior to puberty have a considerably lower risk of developing breast cancer than dogs who are spayed later in life.

Urinary Incontinence

Remember that your dog just underwent a challenging procedure. Urinary incontinence is an adverse effect. This is when your dog’s bladder control fails, and they involuntarily pee.

In addition, senior female dogs are more prone to urinary incontinence than males.

Reduces Other Health Issues

In addition to preventing cancer, neutered dogs have been found to have additional positive health impacts. This includes a lower risk of diabetes, prostate disease, and perineal fistulas.

A Better Overall Behavior

The need to “roam” is one of the notable differences between neutered and unneutered Pit Bulls. Digging beneath fences and jumping over gates are indications of this behavior.

Your dog escaping can be greatly reduced with neutering. Your Pit Bull will no longer be attracted to the scent that female dogs in heat give off. This reduces the likelihood that your Pit Bull may try to flee the yard in order to follow that scent.

Your Pit Bull should also be less aggressive and more patient with other dogs as a result of neutering. If your Pit Bull’s hostility is brought on by testosterone, this will help; however, it might not help with other not hormones-related aggression.

You can learn about all the ways that neutering a Pit Bull helps them calm down in this guide.

Territory Marking

Have you ever noticed that all male dogs, not only Pit Bulls, typically raise their leg when they pee? Pit Bull males frequently make this “marking territory” motion, which is fueled by testosterone. 

The sense of this movement among Pit Bulls and dogs, in general, is that the higher they spray their pee, the more spectacular they appear to other dogs. Leg-lifting is lessened in Pit Bulls after neutering because the amount of testosterone in their bodies is reduced, though not entirely eliminated.

Limits Sexual Frustrations

Unneutered Pit Bulls have a strong tendency to experience sexual frustration, according to studies. On the other hand, neutered Pit Bulls do not feel like that when their owners prevent them from reproducing.

Their hormone-driven urges are absent because neutering lowers their testosterone levels. Pit Bulls tend to prioritize their human family over matters of reproduction because of this.

Decreases the Population of Homeless Pets

Neutering pit bulls will prevent unwanted pregnancies because if your Pittie is neutered, they will not run away to find a stray dog to mate with.

This may not sound like such a big problem, but it really is. There are more pets in shelters in the US than the shelters and rescue centers can accommodate, and the dogs that don’t get adopted for too long usually get euthanized.

Saves Money

The neutering procedure makes you pay money for the actual surgery. However, if you don’t have your male Pit Bull neutered, it can impregnate a female dog when it interacts with it.

When compared to having your Pit Bull spayed or neutered, pregnancy costs and caring for those adorable puppies are more expensive.

What Are the Cons of Neutering or Spaying Your Pit Bull?

Now that you understand the benefits that neutering or spaying can bring to your dog, it’s time to become aware of the risks. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to know these risks before deciding whether to neuter or spay your Pit Bull or not.

Weight-problems

Pit Bulls that are neutered are more likely to gain weight and become obese. This still occurs even if they receive the same amount of food as they did before the operation.

The changes in hormonal setup are the cause; after neutering, your Pit Bull needs less food because hormonal changes also impact the metabolism.

However, keep in mind that your Pit Bull’s weight gain is not only the result of neutering. Pit Bulls with a tendency to be lazy are more likely to put on weight quickly.

Hypothyroidism

The Pit Bull’s endocrine system is affected by reproductive hormones like testosterone. Low thyroid levels could come from lowering the testosterone level.

This can cause weight gain, but fortunately, thyroid supplements can help.

Increases the Risk of Torn Ligaments, Hip Dysplasia, and Bone Cancer

Once more, your Pit Bull’s testosterone aids in the healthy growth of its bones and joints. Due to the lower levels of the reproductive hormone, their leg bones are more likely to grow unevenly. 

Moreover, as a result of this low testosterone level, your Pit Bull has a four times greater risk of having bone cancer.

Geriatric Cognitive Impairment

Testosterone also helps protect the brain, so lower levels of it can raise the risk of dementia as your Pit Bull grows old.

General Anesthesia

One or more of the following problems occurs in about 20% of neutering surgeries. This includes infection, an abscess, or a negative reaction to anesthesia. Fortunately, fewer than 5% of them are serious. And there are very few fatalities—less than 1%.

Deciding to neuter your dog is quite difficult, considering the pros and cons, but it doesn’t stop at that. You might stop and ask yourself, is it essential to neuter your dog? Why do people make that decision for them? Is it humane?

Well, it’s not a clear-cut answer as, in this case, the patients can’t talk. So, you have to study the topic really well and decide what is best for your dog.

How Much Does it Cost to Neuter a Pit Bull?

On average, you should budget between $150 and $650 to neuter your Pit Bull. Additionally, some vets provide considerably more comprehensive pre- and post-operative packages, which might cost over $1,000 to finish the treatment. You can check out my guide to the costs of Pit Bulls here for more details.

The cost varies according to your location and your vet. Most vets will ask you to bring your Pit Bull in for a checkup and complete inspection.

Due to the overpopulation of this breed, services and programs have been made available in recent years to neuter and spay Pit Bulls at no or minimal cost in an effort to minimize the overpopulation.

I would advise looking into the types of assistance you can get online before getting in touch with your neighborhood veterinary clinics to see if they have any financial aid available in your area.

If you do some preliminary research, you might be able to obtain more financial assistance than you anticipate.

Spaying or neutering your pet will cost much less than the expenses of raising a litter. Additionally, the ASPCA and numerous other groups provide pet owners with free or inexpensive spay/neuter services.

The PBRC Spay and Neuter Fund offers the ability to fill out an application to get financial assistance, and local vets may have similar programs.

What to Expect Post-Surgery?

One of the things that could help you make the decision about neutering your dog is knowing what to expect post-surgery. The neutering procedure is usually quick and easy, and your dog will likely fully recover in a few weeks, according to the post-surgery care instructions your veterinarian will provide.

Following your dog’s neutering, you can expect the following:

• Male dogs can typically return home the same day as their surgery.
• The dog may feel queasy for the first day or two and avoid eating. Your dog won’t suffer if he skips a few meals, so there’s no need to act like an overbearing mom and make him eat.
• Your dog’s scrotum will be enlarged for the first few days following surgery. You wouldn’t be the first person to question if the vet actually performed the procedure, as when the dog licks the incision, the swelling is frequently made worse, and it looks the same as before.
• Depending on the type of stitching material your vet used, they will likely need to be removed after seven to ten days. Your vet will provide you with information on how to ensure that the wound is healing properly and when to return for this last step. After a certain amount of time, certain modern sutures come undone on their own.
• You won’t see a neutered puppy’s scrotum flattening as he matures; however, adults always have a skin flap covering their empty scrotum.
• Most dogs typically want to play the next day vigorously but limit your dog’s activity for a couple of days to prevent the incision from opening.
• Around the incision, there may be some light bruising.

Related Questions 

Do Male Pit Bulls Calm Down When Neutered?

Male Pit Bulls do calm down when neutered because they lose their excessive sexual drive when they are neutered. They’ll quit humping everything they come across. Additionally, they will quit searching the area for a female dog to mate with when they are in heat.

When Is It Too Late To Neuter Your Dog?

There is no age limit for dog neutering as long as your pet is in good health. Although dogs can be neutered as early as five months old, the typical age range is five to nine months. You must know, though, that the older the dog, the more risks involved. But overall, the advantages exceed the disadvantages.

Helpful Resources 

A Guide to Dog Neutering

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