Neutering young dogs has become a fairly routine practice over the years…
In fact, when a dog is 6 to 9 months of age, it’s generally considered the best time to neuter him…
But what about dogs that are well past puppyhood? Can they be safely neutered as well?
Well, in this article we’re going to examine if neutering a 13 year old dog (or really any older dog) is a worthwhile thing to do or not…
And to do that, we’ll be covering the following information…
- Neutering A 13 Year Old Dog – What Are The Benefits?
- Will Neutering An Older Dog Stop Aggression?
- Can A Dog Be Too Old To Neuter?
- Signs Your Dog Needs To Be Neutered
- How Is Neutering Done In Older Dogs?
- Is It Hard On Older Dogs To Get Neutered?
- How Long Will Recovery Take?
- How Much Does It Cost To Neuter A Dog?
In the end, you’ll know of the benefits and risks associated with neutering senior dogs, and you’ll be able to determine if it’s the right course of action for you and your four-legged companion…
Let’s start by going over the benefits of neutering older dogs…
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Neutering A 13 Year Old Dog – What Are The Benefits?
There are many benefits to neutering your pup even if he’s a 10 year old, a 13 year old, or really any dog that is 7 years old or older (which are generally considered senior dogs)…
First of all, neutering your dog can help with the overpopulation problem…
Obviously, neutering (or spaying) your dog can help prevent unwanted litters, and that’s important because less dogs will end up as strays or in shelters…
But aside from that larger point, there are several health and behavioral benefits to consider as well…
Health Benefits…
Like I mentioned earlier, there are many health benefits that can be gained by neutering your senior dog…
For example, when a male dog is neutered, meaning the dog’s testicles are surgically removed, he no longer has any possibility of testicular infections or tumors…
On top of that, a senior dog’s risk of prostate disease is greatly reduced once he’s been neutered…
And since over 60% of dogs aged 5 and older (and who are not neutered) show signs of an enlarged prostate…
This is a significant benefit when it comes to your dog’s prostate health.
Behavioral Benefits…
Neutering an older dog can also have many behavioral benefits associated with it…
For instance, a neutered dog is less likely to bite or become aggressive with dogs who haven’t been spayed or neutered…
On top of that, neutered dogs are less likely to mark territory in your house or yard with urine, and they’re less likely to run away from home…
In fact, one of the common reasons why male dogs run away from home is that they go off searching for a female to mate with…
And sadly, 80% of dogs that have been hit by a car are unneutered males who were doing exactly that…
So neutering your older dog can help limit those urges, and as a result, your dog will be more likely to stay at home and to socialize appropriately with other dogs…
Have Questions About Neutering Your 13 Year Old Dog?
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Will Neutering An Older Dog Stop Aggression?
Neutering an older dog can help stop aggression in several ways. First of all, a neutered dog is less likely to get into fights with other dogs in the neighborhood…
They’re also less likely to bite other dogs (both male and female) who are not neutered or spayed, and they’re less likely to become territorial and defensive around your home…
All that being said, some aggression found in dogs is related to their prey drive…
So keep in mind that even though neutering a dog will help reduce aggression that’s related to his sex drive, it will not have an impact on other instinctive forms of aggression.
Can A Dog Be Too Old To Neuter?
There really is no age limit when it comes to neutering your dog. Even if a 14 year old dog or older has been exhibiting aggressive behaviors for some time…
…neutering can still decrease those behaviors and protect your dog’s prostate health.
On top of that, there are some experts who believe it’s actually better to neuter your dog later in life rather than as a puppy because it allows your dog to grow and age without any hormonal disruption.
Signs Your Dog Needs To Be Neutered…
Some of the signs that indicate it might be time to neuter your dog (even if he is 13 years old) include…
- Marking areas inside your home with urine
- Aggression (such as biting or fighting with other dogs)
- Running away in search of a mate
- Territorial or defensive behavior
If you notice any of these signs, you should contact a vet and ask if he or she would advise neutering your dog to help reduce these behaviors…
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How Is Neutering Done In Older Dogs?
Neutering an older dog is not very different from neutering younger dogs when it comes to the actual procedure…
Basically, the first thing to happen is that your dog is given anesthesia to be put to sleep and to make the procedure painless…
Before that happens, you should ask your vet about the type of anesthesia being used because typically newer inhalant gas anesthesias (such as Isoflurane) are safer for older dogs…
Once your dog is asleep, the incision area near your dog’s testicles will be shaved, and the surgery of removing the testicles will take place…
In the end, the incision will be closed with dissolvable sutures, and the incision site will be checked over carefully and cleaned…
Your dog will then be monitored and recovered from the anesthesia before being able to go home with you.
Is It Hard On Older Dogs To Get Neutered?
There is always risk when a surgical procedure is performed, and the risks of complications are a little higher in older dogs…
However, a good veterinarian will be able to assess if your senior dog is healthy enough to undergo the surgery…
For example, before an older dog is neutered, the vet will conduct a thorough physical examination and typically order some blood work to check for things like…
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Anemia
- Infections
- Blood glucose levels
The vet may also order x-rays and a number of other tests if he or she thinks it’s appropriate…
Aside from that, neutered dogs do have a greater potential for obesity afterwards, which can lead to a number of other health issues…
But despite that being the case, as long as you continue regular exercise such as walks and playtime, and you give your dog appropriate and healthy food (I recommend this one)…
He really shouldn’t gain any new weight or become lethargic or lazy.
How Long Will Recovery Take?
After your dog has undergone the surgery, you’ll want to keep a close eye on him for around 2 weeks as he heals…
It’ll be best to try and keep him calm and fairly inactive during that time but especially during the first week…
Try to keep him inside, but if you do go outside for some fresh air, keep the walks short and always keep him on a leash to help prevent him from running freely and sprinting off…
Also, the incision area may be red, but you’ll want to observe the area for blood or discharge and contact your vet immediately if you notice anything unusual…
On top of that, take notice if your dog is excessively licking the area and if he seems to show signs of pain or of discomfort…
How Much Does It Cost To Neuter A Dog?
Even though it’s typically more expensive to spay a dog than it is to neuter, it’s still a surgical procedure, and there are costs associated with it…
Usually, neutering your dog can cost anywhere from around $35 to $250, and a lot will depend on your dog’s breed, age, and other health factors…
The best thing to do is to sit down with your vet and discuss the issue because your veterinarian will have a well-rounded idea of the health of your dog and how much neutering would cost…
You might also consider pet health insurance to help with the cost of neutering your dog and with any other health issues that pop up in the future…
If you’re interested in pet health insurance, I recommend you check out Eusoh because they have a unique way of keeping the insurance very affordable while still offering broad coverage…
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Wrap Up…
So to sum it all up, it’s a good idea to have your 13 year old dog neutered, especially if he exhibits signs of aggression and other behaviors related to his desire to mate…
You’ll definitely want to consult a vet, and ensure that your dog is healthy and fit enough for the procedure beforehand…
But, in general, many experts consider the benefits of neutering a senior dog to outweigh any of the potential risks.