Dogs are the most popular family pet, with over 30% of UK households owning a dog, there are now an estimated 13 million dogs living in UK homes. And one of the most common surgical operations is neutering, or castration. This is so common, it’s often considered a “fixed price” item, and it is in the VetHelpDirect price comparison basket.
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What are the reasons to castrate a dog?
Castration of a dog is the act of neutering, which involves removing the testes to prevent the animal from breeding and from producing sex hormones. There are many reasons castration of a dog may be advised and these include:
- prevent them from breeding
- prevent them from seeking out female dogs to mate
- in some individuals it can reduce some behaviours such as humping
- prevent testicular cancer
- reduce the risk of certain medical conditions later in life, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is overgrowth of the prostate tissue and commonly occurs in older dogs who are not neutered
However, there are some potential downsides too, including an increased risk of some joint diseases, and worsening of some behaviours such as nervousness can be worsened with neutering. The WSAVA has recently issued a new report on neutering. So it’s important to discuss with your veterinary surgeon before neutering your pet; especially if you are considering neutering for behavioural reasons.
What age can a dog be castrated?
In general most dogs can be castrated around the age of 6 months. In some circumstances this may be advised to be slightly later, especially in larger breed dogs, but this depends on the individual animal and breed requirements. So it is best to discuss this with your veterinary surgeon to work out what is the most appropriate age for your dog.
I have an older dog, can they still be castrated?
Yes, older dogs can still be castrated. It is important to remember that behaviours such as humping are less likely to be reduced in older dogs and will likely continue after castration as well.
If my dog is castrated will they need to stay at the vets overnight?
In most cases, no. Castration is known as a routine surgical procedure which means it is carried out daily and in most cases your dog will recover at the vets following their procedure, and then be discharged home to you on the same day. In some cases, if there are complications or other factors affecting your pets procedure, they may need to stay in longer but your vet will discuss this with you prior to the procedure to ensure you understand any risks.
You can read more about neutering both male and female pets here.
How much does it cost to get my dog castrated in the UK?
The cost of castrating a dog in the UK varies a lot between practices. Each veterinary practice and organisation will price the procedure based on the resources they use, time and cost of additional inclusions such as take home pain killers, pet T-shirts or buster collars.
Data from the last 6 months shows the average cost of castrating a dog in the UK is £273.18; with the lowest price being £100 and the highest price £760. In general the cheaper prices mean less is included in the cost; so things such as take home pain killers, buster collars and T-shirts may be additional costs to factor in. In most cases post op checks, where your pet’s wound is checked several days after the procedure, are included in the price but in some cases they are not.
If you are considering getting your pet dog castrated you should speak to your local vet and get an estimate for the cost including the take home pain relief and additional items such as buster collars or t-shirts to stop them from getting to their wound, that they may need after the procedure, to see what the total cost will be for you.
It is important to note castrating a pet is not normally something you can claim on your pet insurance.
Summary:
There are many reasons castrating a pet dog may be advised, including to prevent breeding and reduce the risk of certain health conditions
- Always speak to your veterinary surgeon about the risks and benefits for your individual pet
- The costs of castration of a pet dog vary across the UK
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