How spay-neuter syndrome affects a dog’s caregivers

Spaying and neutering dogs is commonly practiced in many countries to reduce pet overpopulation. Removing the sex organs and their associated hormones also has some health benefits.  It reduces the risk of hormone-dependent diseases, like pyometra and prostate enlargement.

Yet spaying and neutering also increases the chance of diverse behavioral and physical health disorders. This is called “spay-neuter syndrome.” The incidence of spay-neuter syndrome is dependent on several factors, such as age at sterilization, breed, size, and sex of the dog. See our webpage on How Spaying and Neutering Affect Health for more details.

Obesity

Obesity and overweight are more common in spayed and neutered dogs and are likely caused by increased appetite as well as lower metabolic rate.

• Impact on dogs: As in humans, obesity and overweight are major risk factors for a number of chronic diseases. They include degenerative orthopedic disease, diabetes, insulin resistance, urinary tract diseases, skin disease, liver dysfunction, and cancer. And neutered dogs have been found to lose significantly less weight than intact dogs on a weight loss program.
• Impact on caregivers: Individuals caring for obese dogs spend, on average, 17% more on healthcare and 25% more on medication compared to individuals with healthy-weight dogs. Reducing weight in obese pets requires frequent vet visits as well as continuous monitoring and measurements by the caregiver.

Orthopedic disorders

Joint and skeletal problems are common in spayed and neutered dogs because sex hormones are critical for bone growth plate closure. Spaying or neutering before puberty causes elongation of the bones and joint issues. The most common orthopedic problems are cranial cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteoarthritis. These conditions are often exacerbated because neutered dogs are more likely to be obese.

• Impact on dogs: Orthopedic problems may cause limping or lameness, exercise intolerance, pain, stiffness, reduced willingness to jump or play, increased aggression, vocalization, and shifting positions. Affected dogs often have difficulty with daily activities, which can make them dependent on their owners and reduce their welfare.
• Impact on caregivers: The burden on caregivers is also extreme. Caregivers experience increased stress from veterinary visits, feelings of failure in finding effective treatments, challenges of getting the dog to take medications, and keeping the dog with restricted exercise at a reasonable weight. Financial difficulties often result from treatment costs or even job impacts due to having to care for the dog. Additionally, caregivers may have back pain from carrying the dog.

Cancer

Cancers like lymphoma, mast cell tumors, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and prostate cancer have been related to spaying or neutering. However, some cancers – such as cancer of the uterus, testicles, or mammary glands – are less common after removal of the sex organs or their associated hormones.

• Impact on dogs: Cancer is a significant cause of death, especially cancers that are hard to identify until they’re at an advanced stage.
• Impact on caregivers: Cancer is a leading cause of concern for pet parents. Caregivers may experience distress and depressive symptoms and face substantial burdens that impact their emotional, physical, and financial well-being.

Behavioral Issues

Behavior changes are likely to occur in spayed and neutered dogs. Reproductive behaviors dependent on sex hormones are reduced, including roaming, marking, and mounting in males, and false pregnancy in females. Aggression is often thought to be reduced in neutered dogs, but the connection is complicated. Aggression toward strangers, fear behavior, and other behavior problems are more frequent in spayed or neutered dogs. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is more common after spaying or neutering.

• Impact on dogs: Behavior problems in spayed and neutered dogs are a frequent reason for people to relinquish their pet. The dog may experience significant stress from fear-based and obsessive behaviors.
• Impact on caregivers: Behavioral issues can disrupt the human-animal bond and may lead to pet abandonment or euthanasia. Owners often feel isolated and judged and may require psychological support in addition to support for their pet.

Urinary Tract Disorders

Spayed or neutered dogs more commonly have urinary system issues, including urinary incontinence, urolithiasis, and lower urinary tract inflammation. Urinary incontinence is probably the most well-known ailment related to spaying, but is uncommon in intact females.

• Impact on dogs: Some breeds, including the Irish setter, Dobermann, Collie, and Dalmatian, are particularly affected by urinary incontinence following spaying. Incontinence is likely a cause of stress to the dog and may cause urine scalding in some cases. It’s also a reason for the euthanasia of the dog.
• Impact on caregivers: Caregivers of dogs with urinary issues may experience frustration and stress due to frequent urination, indoor accidents, and the need for frequent cleaning. The lifetime medical management of incontinence is also a burden.

Immune System Disorders

Immune-mediated diseases have been associated with neutering. These include: hypoadrenocorticism, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, atopic dermatitis, hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, thrombocytopenia, lupus erythematosus in females, and diabetes in male dogs.

• Impact on dogs: Dogs with chronic immune system diseases have varying symptoms that are often difficult to diagnose and may cause pain or decreased quality of life. Ongoing medical assessment and treatment may cause stress.
• Impact on caregivers: Chronic diseases require lifelong support, monitoring, and treatment, which can create a significant caregiver burden. Owners may experience financial strain, as well as an impact on their social life, daily activities, job, leisure time, and family relationships due to the demands of managing the illness.

Many people find it difficult to decide between leaving a dog intact, which risks adding to pet overpopulation, versus spaying or neutering, which risks serious health and behavior disorders. Some new dog caregivers may not realize there’s a third option that may be best.

Hormone-sparing sterilization, including hysterectomy (or ovary-sparing spay) for females and vasectomy for males, preserves natural hormone levels and avoids many of the health risks of spaying and neutering. Veterinarians should discuss all options with pet owners, evaluating the potential risks of each option for the particular dog and the caregiver’s lifestyle and values. This leads to more compassionate, evidence-based decision-making.

Refer to our webpages on Hormone-Sparing Sterilization for more information, as well as our blog posts on these topics. And if you have a dog that has spay-neuter syndrome, consider hormone restoration options.