Why neuter your dog or cat? The complete guide
CONTENT :
- Why neuter or sterilise your pet?
- Is sterilising a dog or cat compulsory?
- When should a dog or cat be spayed or neutered?
- What are the different methods of neutering cats and dogs?
- How much does it cost to neuter/spay a dog or cat?
À l’instar de la stérilisation, la castration du chien et du chat est une intervention vétérinaire courante, mais souvent entourée d’inquiétudes. Faut-il stériliser son animal ? À quel âge castrer son chien ou son chat ? Quels sont les bénéfices réels sur la santé, le comportement ou encore la cohabitation avec d’autres animaux ? Francodex vous aide à prendre les meilleures décisions pour votre compagnon à 4 pattes.
Why neuter or sterilise your pet?
Neutering or sterilising your dog or cat is a veterinary procedure that goes far beyond simple birth control. It’s a responsible approach that contributes to both the animal’s health and its behavioural welfare, as well as protecting other animals and the environment.
Avoiding unwanted litters
Every year, thousands of puppies and kittens are abandoned, often the result of unplanned litters.
By sterilising your pet, you are taking concrete action against animal overpopulation. It shows a strong commitment to animal welfare.
By limiting the number of births, we can avoid euthanasia of animals in shelters and prevent the proliferation of stray dogs and stray cats.
Reducing embarrassing hormone-related behaviour
In non-castrated males, sexual urges can cause a cat or dog to:
- run away;
- increase marking with urine;
- increase aggression towards other animals.
For cats who go outside, neutering has the effect of limiting how far they roam, which in turn helps to reduce accidents and conflicts with other animals.
In females, periods of heat are accompanied by vocalisations without blood loss (cats) and blood loss without vocalisations (dogs), which both attract neighbouring males.
Sterilisation tends to eliminate these behaviours making your dog or cat easier to live with.
🐾 Before you embark on a neutering procedure, find out about typical dog behaviours and behaviours seen in cats.
Preventing certain serious illnesses
Sterilisation reduces your pet’s risk of suffering from a hormone-dependent disorder.
In female dogs and cats, if sterilisation is carried out early, it can prevent:
- uterine infections (pyometra);
- phantom pregnancies;
- mammary tumours;
- cancer of the uterus.
In males, neutering reduces the risk of:
- testicular tumours;
- hypertrophy of the prostate;
- diseases of the reproductive system.
This surgical procedure can extend your pet’s life expectancy and spare it a great deal of suffering.
⚠️ Depending on the breed of dog, there are possible contraindications or complications to castration/spaying before puberty. Ask your vet for advice on the best time to neuter your pet (particularly in the case of a bitch).
Contributing to a better quality of life
Neutered animals often lead a more peaceful life.
Freed from the constraints of reproduction, your dog will appear to be less stressed, less aggressive and closer to you. The effects of neutering also apply to stressed cats.
Your dog or cat can then concentrate on social interaction, play and learning.
Is sterilising a dog or cat compulsory?
In France, sterilisation of cats and dogs is not compulsory, although it is strongly recommended.
However, stray dogs and cats are the responsibility of the local authority. According to article L.211-27 of the Code rural, town councils can have stray animals captured if they are unidentified (without a chip or tattoo) and the owner’s identity is unknown.
In such cases, the cats and dogs are systematically neutered and made identifiable before being released.
Better management of stray animals is part of the French national pet welfare plan, published on 22 May 2024.
⚠️Reminder: some form of identification is compulsory for dogs and cats in France. Otherwise, cats (mainly) are considered to be strays. In this context, if your pet is neutered against your will, you have no possible recourse.
In addition, category 1 dogs (attack dogs, unregistered breeds) must be neutered, on pain of a €15,000 fine and 6 months’ imprisonment.
In addition, the animal may be confiscated and the possession of other animals in category 1 (attack dogs, unregistered breeds) or category 2 (defence dogs, registered breeds) may be prohibited for a maximum of 5 years.
Finally, an animal adopted from a refuge is often already neutered or spayed, as this is one of the ways animal protection associations try to control populations.
The difference between castration and neutering: castration involves removing the reproductive organs, which eliminates not only reproduction but also sexual behaviours. On the other hand, sterilisation renders the animal infertile, without necessarily changing its behaviour, as the sexual organs are left in place.
When should a dog or cat be spayed or neutered?
The ideal age for neutering your cat or dog varies according to species, sex and breed.
In cats, neutering is generally recommended at around 6 months, before the first heat cycle or marking behaviour.
In dogs, the operation can be carried out between 6 and 12 months, depending on the animal’s physical development and temperament. Always consult your vet, because depending on the breed, neutering may be recommended at a later stage, or not at all.
Some large or giant breeds may require extra time.
In all cases, consult your vet beforehand to determine the right time, depending on your pet’s state of health and lifestyle.
What are the different methods of neutering cats and dogs?
There are two ways of rendering a cat or dog infertile.
Surgical castration (the most common)
In males, castration involves removing the testicles.
In females, this is known as an oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) or an ovariohysterectomy (removal of the ovaries and uterus), depending on the case.
In France, surgical sterilisation involves tying up the fallopian tubes for females or the vas deferens for males.
These operations are carried out under general anaesthetic, with simple post-operative follow-up. If the animal is in good health, complications are rare.
Chemical castration method (reversible)
The chemical method of sterilisation involves the insertion of a subcutaneous implant in males, which releases an active ingredient that blocks the production of sex hormones, using deslorelin for example.
The effect lasts from 6 to 12 months, allowing any changes in behaviour to be observed before permanent castration.
Synthetic hormones can be injected to prevent pregnancy in females, but there are a fair few side effects.
The use of the contraceptive pill in female cats and dogs is not recommended, as it is particularly dangerous in pubescent females: pyometra, dead/mummified foetuses, uterine rupture, mammary tumours – including when the cat has only been given the pill once in its lifetime. Remember, mammary tumours are never seen naturally in cats; they are always linked to taking the pill.
Your vet is the only person who can determine the most suitable technique, taking into account the animal’s welfare and your wishes.
⚠️Never buy contraceptives for animals on the Internet, as in France, since January 2022, you need a prescription to obtain them.
How much does it cost to neuter/spay a dog or cat?
On average, neutering a male cat in France costs between €60 and €100, while spaying a female costs between €100 and €150.
For dogs, prices vary according to weight. Expect to pay between €150 and €250 for a male and up to €500 for a large female.
If you have taken out a health insurance policy for your pet, spaying and neutering may be covered, at least in part.
In addition, sterilisation campaigns are launched on a regular basis.
The beneficiaries are generally people whose resources do not always allow them to pay for a spaying or neutering operation, no matter how essential (people on low incomes, students, etc.). There is little or no cost to them.
Ask your vet for a quote, as prices vary according to region, clinic and post-operative care included.
Neutering your dog or cat: what are the drawbacks?
Like any operation, castration or spaying can have certain side effects, which you should be aware of.
Possible weight gain
The drop in sex hormones reduces basic metabolism and sometimes increases appetite.
If you do not keep an eye on things, your pet may gain weight, especially if it continues to be fed the same diet as before the operation.
A suitable diet and regular exercise can help prevent this risk.
An irreversible operation
The operation is permanent.
Talk to your vet beforehand to make sure it’s right for your pet’s age, behaviour and lifestyle.
Rare side effects
Urinary problems may occur in some spayed bitches (hormonal incontinence), but there are effective treatments for this.
Behavioural problems, on the other hand, are uncommon and often linked to other, non-hormonal factors.
Helping your pet relax after surgery
FAQ: Neutering your dog or cat
Does neutering your dog make it calmer?
Castration can reduce certain behaviours linked to sex hormones, such as:
- agitation;
- escapes motivated by the smell of a female in heat.
However, it has no effect on behavioural problems of educational or environmental origin. In fact, castration can be harmful to fearful dogs, especially males, who no longer produce testosterone and can therefore become even more fearful.
A poorly stimulated or poorly socialised dog will remain active or even destructive, whether neutered or not. Castration is one tool amongst others, which should be combined with consistent education.
How do neutered dogs behave?
Neutered dogs stay themselves, with their own individual personalities.
They are often more emotionally stable and less prone to the impulsive behaviour previously dictated by hormones.
Males are less likely to mark their territory or fight, especially if they were castrated at a young age.
However, education, social interaction and the living environment remain key to maintaining your pet’s emotional balance.
