Neutering and sterilisation in pets

In short: Neutering and sterilisation are surgical procedures that permanently prevent pets’ ability to reproduce. They’re most commonly performed on dogs and cats to reduce unwanted breeding and certain health risks.

In more detail: While neutering removes the reproductive glands, sterilisation leaves them intact and only blocks the reproductive pathways.

Note: Not a substitute for veterinary advice.

In detail

• Health benefits: Neutering lowers the risk of certain tumour types in female dogs and cats and almost completely rules out uterine diseases.
• Behavioural changes: Neutered male dogs often show less territorial marking and aggressive behaviour toward other males.
• Population control: Neutering strays and pets without breeding intent significantly reduces the number of unwanted puppies and kittens.
• Ideal timing: The optimal time for the procedure varies by species, breed, and individual health factors and should be discussed with a veterinarian.
• Weight gain: Neutered animals often have reduced energy needs, so food amounts should be adjusted after the procedure.
• Recovery period: Animals need several days of rest after the procedure and shouldn’t be able to lick or scratch the surgical site.
• Ethical debate: In some countries, routine neutering is critically discussed, while in others it’s considered a standard pet-care measure (haustier-gesundheit-impfen-entwurmen-tierarzt, katzen-verhalten-verstehen).