Dog Sterilization: How to Handle It in the Best Way
Dog sterilization is a responsible choice made by conscientious owners: it helps fight stray overpopulation, prevents dangerous roaming, and reduces the risk of serious diseases. By reading this article, you will learn when to sterilize your dog, how a sterilized dog’s diet changes, and what precautions to take to avoid weight gain.
Benefits of Dog Sterilization: What You Should Know
When we talk about dog sterilization, we mean the surgical procedure that makes female dogs unable to reproduce by removing the ovaries and uterus. The equivalent procedure for male dogs, which involves the removal of the testicles, is called castration.
The benefits of spaying female dogs are numerous: it helps prevent unwanted pregnancies, uterine and ovarian diseases, malignant mammary tumors, and diabetes.
Castration also helps prevent diseases of the reproductive system (such as testicular and prostate cancer). In addition, male dogs may better manage certain behavioral issues, reduce territory marking, aggression and dominant behavior, the risk of being attacked by other males, and dangerous behaviors driven by sexual impulses.
Risks of Dog Sterilization
Generally speaking, there are no major risks associated with sterilization, provided the surgery is performed at the appropriate time and in the proper manner, and that the animal is allowed to recover with adequate post-operative care.
When should a dog be sterilized? The ideal age to spay a female dog is after her first or second heat. Before this stage, the procedure may involve risks related to behavioral instability, delayed growth, premature closure of growth plates, and underdevelopment of the reproductive system, with possible chronic vulvovaginitis.
Male dogs should also be allowed to complete their skeletal and joint development before surgery. In any case, the veterinarian will be able to assess the best timing and choose the most suitable surgical technique, whether laparoscopy or laparotomy.
How a Dog’s Metabolism Changes After Sterilization
Metabolic changes in sterilized dogs are due to hormonal changes and result in:
- a reduced nutritional requirement;
- an increased sense of hunger.
This is why overweight is very common in sterilized pets. To keep your dog healthy, it is therefore necessary to rethink daily routines and become familiar with dietary guidelines for neutered dogs even before surgery.
Feeding Tips for Sterilized Dogs
Preventing obesity in sterilized dogs is possible, as long as you follow these rules:
- Calorie intake should be reduced by 20–30% compared to the previous diet;
- Physical activity should be increased compared to pre-surgery levels, even in pets that had become “lazy”;
- Food for sterilized dogs may include wet food, dry kibble, or home-cooked meals, but it should never be improvised, as this may lead to nutritional deficiencies;
- Weight monitoring is essential, not optional: if the current diet is not effective, consult a veterinarian specialized in nutrition as soon as possible;
- Managing the diet of a sterilized dog also means ensuring adequate daily water intake and avoiding extra snacks and table scraps.
Proper Nutrition for Sterilized Dogs: What Is Needed
Whether you choose dry or wet food for sterilized dogs, you should first make sure it provides all essential nutrients: minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and Omega 6), and ingredients that help limit weight gain, such as L-carnitine. Fat content, on the other hand, should be reduced.
As for ingredients, the same general principles of good canine nutrition apply. However, it is advisable to prefer products with a higher content of crude fiber to improve digestion and help maintain satiety.
Naxos Sterilight products, for example, use beet pulp, citrus fruits, and carob for this purpose, as well as a blend of gluten-free and ancient grains such as rice, oats, and sorghum, which help modulate the insulin response and maintain stable glycemic levels.
Dog Sterilizing : FAQ
Below are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about feeding sterilized dogs. If you do not find what you are looking for, feel free to contact us — we will be happy to help.
Why does my sterilized dog tend to gain weight?
Sterilizing — in both males and females — alters hormonal balance and can therefore lead to weight gain if not managed with a proper, targeted diet.
Are there foods to avoid for sterilized dogs?
The foods to avoid for sterilized dogs are the same ones that should be avoided for all dogs: toxic or poisonous foods, as well as table scraps and extra snacks.
Can I continue feeding my dog the same food as before sterilization?
Changes in nutritional requirements may make the food you used before sterilization unsuitable afterward, so it is advisable to switch to high-quality light kibble for dogs. If your pet is intolerant and follows a monoprotein diet, remember that Naxos Sterilight kibbles use a single protein source of Italian origin, gluten-free grains, and contain no soy, corn, or artificial preservatives.
How much food should I give my sterilized dog?
The amount of food and calories required depends on lifestyle, climate, and the dog’s size. Each package includes a feeding guide that can help you determine the correct portion, although consulting a veterinarian specialized in nutrition is recommended to define the exact amount your sterilized dog needs.
What is the best food for a sterilized dog?
Natural foods for sterilized dogs are always preferable. The best food for neutered dogs contains no GMOs, sugars, artificial colorings, flavor enhancers, or preservatives — just like Naxos products. In addition, the Naxos brand uses exclusively Italian-sourced ingredients, short supply chains, and is cruelty-free.
Are you wondering which are the best kibbles for adult sterilized dogs? Take a look at our Sterilight range for dogs, which — in addition to meeting the needs of all sizes and even the most demanding palates —:
- Is enriched with valuable superfoods;
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and strengthen cartilage;
- Includes chicory pulp and brewer’s yeast, rich in prebiotic FOS and MOS;
- Contains natural ingredients such as spirulina algae, pomegranate, and prickly pear seeds, plus vitamins A, B, C, and D and essential minerals to compensate for dietary restrictions, including folic acid, magnesium, zinc, and L-carnitine.
Try your favorite product now — buy it online or find the nearest store.
