Did you have your cat or dog 'done' and why?

Person_one

pineapple wrote: »

I've never had a cat though it sounds as if there is good reason. I'm still not convinced about dogs though. My friend's dog is a 4 year old blind dog that they gave a new (and kinder) home too. Naturally there were some issues when they first took him on - including marking and some mounting behaviour. But he was learning and is a beautiful good natured dog. They hurried the process along IMO by having him done.
One difference is this....
When you came to the door, he was there, expectant and eager with tail wagging. He was everything a dog should be having been denied much in his former life. Now he just 'looks' up at you and then down again. He often doesn't even bother getting to his feet and is alltogether more placid - to the extent (if you knew him like he was before) you would think he was on Prozac. Of course I appreciate that it's easy for me as it's not me that has to look after him. My friend says 'Don't you think he's a lot better?'
What she means is they got the dog that will fit in with their busy lives - also with their existing older, slower dog.
I know many people do it for health reasons and I appreciate why rehoming organisations do it, but sometimes, I think, we do it so that they fit in with our lifestyle.

Maybe the dog is just relaxed and happy in his new home?

Its ridiculous to extrapolate from one neutered dog and think they'll all behave the same way. I have two neutered dogs currently and they have entirely different personalities, one is an exuberant ball of barely contained energy the other would be happiest staying in bed all day eating pies and watching telly. I don't think either of them are the dogs they are because they haven't got their b0llocks anymore!

Paradigm

Darren_G wrote: »

Unless you want to show your dog or breed from it, then there are no reasons not to have them neutered. Benefits off the top of my head:

Males - less inclined to wander in search of females

They shouldn't be allowed to wander! Mine don't.

Darren_G wrote: »

less likely to be aggressive with other dogs, no leg humping (if you get them done early enough in life), less chance of marking indoors

All the above can be the result of learned behaviour that neutering will have little effect on. I'm interested in what you think is acceptable when it comes to "getting them done early enough"?

No dog should be neutered until it has reached maturity, this can be 10 months or so for small breeds up to 2 years for large/giant dogs, plenty of time for behaviour learning.

Darren_G wrote: »

removes risk of testicular cancer

Obviously! However the risk is minimal & certainly not enough to warrant neutering on it's own.

Darren_G wrote: »

Females - no mess associated with being in season

That's purely for your benefit, not the dogs.

Darren_G wrote: »

no crowd of horny male dogs turning up

C'mon, really? When was the last time anyone saw this?

Darren_G wrote: »

problems with dominant aggression - especially if two or more females live together

Neutering can actually increase aggression in females.


Referring to your opening statement, this is a link to a vets thoughts http://www.doglistener.co.uk/neutering/neutering_definitive.shtml

I reckon that it, at the very least, gives food for thought on whether there really are "no reasons not to have it done".

Paradigm

rustyboy21 wrote: »

A responsible dog owner, looks after their dog in a responsible way.

If this means that they are not gowing to breed from it( which as the state of play is, there are far too many unwanted dogs in this country) then castration is the responsible thing to do.

If you think that a pair of bo**ocks on your dog is a status symbol, then my friend, you should not have a dog.

So not neutering a dog makes the owner irresponsible, despite all the other factors that determine a good/responsible owner?

Your last sentence is quite ironic as it is itself bo**ocks.

Person_one

Paradigm wrote: »

Your last sentence is quite ironic as it is itself bo**ocks.

Are you suggesting that there aren't people who think this way?

Paradigm

Person_one wrote: »

Are you suggesting that there aren't people who think this way?

Maybe there are but not on this thread which is where it was aimed.

penny_pincha

I'm not the only one who thinks this has got weird !!

bugslet

Yup penny-pincha!

FWIW, I've always had my b\!tches spayed for health reasons and of course it's easier to deal with in the house from a housework point of view and on walks, they aren't distracting any male dogs.

The boys have never been done. We always had male dogs when I was a child and my parents never had them done, so I carried on from that. I've never had any wandering or health issues and all of them have been fine temperament wise.

Just my experience.

Pollycat

It's a shame this thread has deteriorated.

I think the reasons behind neutering/spaying cats is totally different than it is for dogs.

Many cats roam (mine all did!) and it's just common sense not to have toms fathering kittens willy-nilly (there you are, Fridaycat - just for you. LOL) and females having endless litters of kittens.
I'm not at all surprised that most cat owners responsibly have their cats 'done'.

I've not had a dog for many years (almost 50) so can't really comment on that.
I do know my last (only) dog (a Welsh collie b i t c h that I had when I was 4 and who died aged 15) was a nightmare when she was in season.
She'd scale high gates and dig under fences to get at 'them boys'.
At that time (late 1950s through early 1960s) I don't think it was that usual to have dogs 'done'.

pineapple

penny_pincha wrote: »

I'm not the only one who thinks this has got weird !!

It started off as a genuine query and people expressing their opinions. Unfortunately as often happens with forums, some people seemed to take a personal affront if an opinion did not concur with theirs.
I do agree pollycat but hopefully those wondering whether to have their pets done will find the info useful in making a decision. On the other hand they might just be more confused than when they started! :rotfl:

easy

We took Blaze to have his first vaccinations last night, and I asked the Vet what his recommendation was about when to neuter. He said he doesn't do it any more unless there is a medical reason/behaviour issue to solve.

He did say this was his personal opinion, but he wouldn't do the procedure, full stop.

I have an appointment to see the lady vet for Blaze's 2nd injection, and I'll ask her opinion.

I might re-think my plans for him tho'