The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) recommends that castration should be considered in the following circumstances:
- As a treatment to limit straying, particularly in response to bitches in season. Straying causes nuisance and unwanted litters.
- As a treatment for excessive and unacceptable sexual behaviour towards bitches, people and inanimate objects.
- For medical reasons e.g. to prevent or remove testicular tumours, or reduce perianal adenoma or prostatic hyperplasia.
- As a treatment in some cases of dominance aggression. Whether castration can be helpful can be proved first by the use of hormone injections.
- To prevent the perpetuation of genetic defects.
Castration rarely produces undesirable changes in temperament. Any weight change can be controlled by management of the diet. It is notable that there is little problem with male Guide Dogs that have all been castrated.
Veterinary advice should always be sought on each individual case.
Approval: BSAVA Council as Policy Statement No. 25 (Castration of dogs) 1999.
Recent update: May 2006