When is the right time to neuter my Shiba Inu? This is one of the questions many Shiba owners want to know the answer to. By neutering your dog, you’ll prevent him from certain health conditions and even solve some behavior problems. By performing this quick and simple procedure, your dog will live a healthier life and experience many benefits. Read on and find out why.
What is neutering?
Neutering or castration is a surgery where the Shiba Inu’s testicles are removed. Besides it prevents a dog from further breeding, it also reduces the risk of developing orthopedic issues, certain cancers, and behavior problems.
When is the best time to neuter my Shiba Inu?
The best time to neuter a dog is when it sexually matures. The most common signs of reaching sexual maturity are leg lifting during urination, overprotectiveness, and humping. Smaller dog breeds such as Shiba Inus should go through neutering surgery earlier than larger dog breeds. Most vets recommend performing it between 6-12 months of age. After considering your dog’s development, health, and maturity, your vet will tell you when is the right time to do it.
Larger dog breeds such as Rottweilers, Golden Retrievers, and Dobermans should wait until they’re at least 9 months old.
What to expect after neutering my Shiba Inu?
In case you don’t want to breed your Shiba Inu, neutering will be an important and good decision. These are the benefits to expect after neutering your dog:
- He will be less likely to wander and roam
- He will be less prone to marking the territory
- You’ll prevent him from orthopedic issues
- He’ll be less aggressive toward male dogs
- Your dog will smell better. He won’t release that strong doggy odor.
- His hormones will be stable and calm
Is it risky to neuter my Shiba Inu?
No. The Neutering procedure is quite simple and the surgery usually lasts 90 min. Your dog will get the anesthesia before the surgery and he should be restricted from hard training and running for about 10 days. After surgery, some dogs can start to vomit, show lethargy and appetite loss. The good news is that these symptoms disappear in 2 days.
Just like any other surgery, this one also requires postoperative care. To help your Shiba Inu recover, we recommend you to place him sleep in a comfy dog bed made of memory foam. Besides, you have to daily check the incision line and check whether there is any swelling, redness, pus, or bad smell.
To prevent your Shiba Inu from licking the incision line, it’s essential to place him the Elizabethan collar. Your vet can also prescribe him pain-relief medication in the first three or four days. To make sure everything goes well, we recommend you restrict your dog from difficult training, running, and exercise for approximately 10 days.
Watch out for emergency signs
In case you notice any swelling or redness on the incision spot, you should immediately visit your vet. He/she will probably prescribe you the appropriate antibiotic cream or oral medication. To avoid infections, it’s essential to daily clean the incision line and make sure it stays dry after each urination. Therefore, besides potty bags, you’ll also need to take toilet paper to pick up the urine left on your Shiba Inu’s body.
