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Neutering, also known as altering, castration, fixing, or medically, orchidectomy, is the surgical removal of a male animal’s testicles. It’s a routine veterinary procedure performed while the pet is anesthetized and depending on the circumstances, may require a night of hospitalization. Most veterinarians recommend neutering a pet at around 6 months of age.
Why you should neuter your pet:
One, significant reason is to prevent pet overpopulation. There are far more cats and dogs in the United States than available homes. In Canada, over 120,000 cats are euthanized every year. Stray cats and dogs overburden animal shelters. Other reasons for neutering include the following:
 Prevent unplanned and costly litters
Decrease undesirable pet behavior
They fight less, and are less likely to mark their territory with urine.
They are less likely to roam, looking for females in heat.
They are usually more affectionate.
Reduce the risk of testicular tumors
Reduce the risk of prostate disease (relatively common in dogs)
When to neuter your pet:
Cats and dogs need to be in good health and at the right age for neutering. Pets need to be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Cats should be tested for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).
Most neutering is performed when the animal is about 6 months of age. Animal behaviorists generally agree that neutering pets prior to sexual maturity is the best way to decrease undesirable behavior.
There is currently a move in the veterinary community toward early age neutering (i.e., between 8 and 16 weeks old). Scientific studies suggest that performing early age neutering is no riskier than performing the surgery at 6 months, provided the animal is healthy. The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies provides information on the controversies surrounding early age neutering.
Neutering can also be done on older pets. Depending on the pet’s age, the veterinarian may request presurgical tests (e.g., blood tests, urinalysis, x-rays) to make sure that the pet can be safely anesthetized. Many anesthetic drugs are metabolized in the liver and kidneys, so it is essential that the liver and kidneys be functioning normally.
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