Neutered Dog Food

Spaying/neutering prevents your dog from reproducing - that much is clear to all dog owners. But did you know that spaying/neutering has far-reaching effects on the entire organism of your four-legged friend?

Obesity as a result of spaying/neutering

Studies show that spayed/neutered dogs are more likely to be overweight than uncastrated animals. Female dogs in particular tend to become obese after the procedure. The risk of weight gain is twice as high as in non-spayed female dogs. Male dogs also tend to put on excess fat after being neutered. But why is this the case?

Lower calorie requirement, but more appetite

Spaying/neutering changes the entire hormonal balance of your pet and therefore also their metabolism. The loss of the female sex hormones, oestrogens, increases the feeling of hunger in female dogs. This is because sex hormones play a significant role in the regulation of appetite and metabolic rate. The inhibiting effect is absent, causing the craving for dog food to increase significantly. This is particularly problematic because the dog's activity often decreases after being spayed/neutered, which also significantly reduces its caloric requirements. Reduced exercise is therefore also a key cause of obesity in neutered male dogs. Male dogs put on weight after being neutered, less due to a change in their hormonal balance than through a reduction in spontaneous activity. And if one eats more than they actually need, they will logically put on weight. 

Obesity in dogs must be taken seriously. It is not only an aesthetic problem, but can actually reduce a dog’s life expectancy. Even more frequently than in humans, obesity in our pets can lead to many secondary diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular problems, digestive problems and increased stress on the joints.

The good news is: By introducing a diet that is adapted to your dog's changing needs, you can help reduce excess weight or, even better, avoid it in the first place. It is not advisable to simply give them less of their usual food. After all, although calorie requirements decrease after spaying/neutering, the need for important vitamins and minerals remains the same. Simply feeding your dog less would mean that they not only get fewer calories, but also fewer nutrients such as calcium or magnesium, which in turn can lead to deficiency symptoms. In addition, a smaller food ration can cause your dog to constantly beg for food due to their increased feeling of hunger after being spayed/neutered. For this reason, instead of giving your dog less of its previous food, you should switch to food that is less calorie-rich yet still guarantees sufficient nutritional intake and fulfils your dog's needs.

Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” answer to this question. Even after spaying/neutering, each dog has its own individual nutritional requirements, which depend on breed, age, sex, activity level and state of health. If in doubt, it is best to speak to an expert, such as your vet, who can help you draw up a precise feeding plan for your dog. As a rough rule of thumb, the calorie content of the new food should be around 20 to 30 per cent lower than that of the usual food. Spayed/neutered and overweight dogs need approx. 52 kcal per kg body weight. If your dog gets a lot of exercise even after being spayed/neutered, its caloric requirements will naturally be comparatively higher.

As a general rule, you should change your dog’s familiar eating habits as little as possible. If they have been doing well with ready-made food so far, you should continue to use ready-made products. Suddenly starting to prepare all of your dog's food yourself after spaying/neutering could prove overwhelming for many dog owners who have previously relied solely on convenience. However, if you have already been cooking your pet's food yourself or are feeding your dog "BARF", i.e. raw food, you should stick with it. The best way to control calorie and nutrient intake is, of course, to prepare your own dog food. Suitable, low-calorie products for your own mixture include lean muscle meat, lung, low-fat quark, vegetables, bran, middlings or grass meal.

If you prefer to buy ready-made food, you should pay attention to the list of ingredients and the calorie content of the individual products. Do not simply rely on the various product descriptions such as "light", "diet food", "weight control", "neutered" or "low calorie", because apart from the addition "diet food", none of these terms are legally protected. As a result, there is no standardised regulation as to when a product may be declared as "light" or "low calorie". In most cases, it is simply at the discretion of the manufacturer. For example, "light" only means that this food has fewer calories than other foods from the same manufacturer. A nutrition expert, however, would not necessarily describe the supposed "light" content as low in calories. Because of this, you can only be sure of the calorie content if you closely examine the ingredients and their corresponding calorie values.

Many "experts" advise introducing the lower-calorie food a few weeks before spaying/neutering to prevent obesity from developing in the first place. However, a prophylactic change of food is not necessary in every case. There are also dogs for whom spaying/neutering has little effect on feeding habits or activity. In this case, it would therefore make more sense to simply keep a close eye on the dog and weigh it regularly. This way, you could recognise any tendency towards obesity at an early stage and take countermeasures. Giving your dog a weekly pat down can also be helpful to assess whether they may have put on a little too much “padding”. Ideally, you should be able to feel the ribs easily under the fur - seeing them with the naked eye would mean your dog is underweight. However, if your dog already shows a tendency to be overweight before being spayed/neutered or is already overweight, it is advisable to change their diet as soon as possible, in this case preferably before the operation. When changing your dog's food, it is important to take your time - regardless of whether you change the food before or after they are spayed/neutered. A sudden change of food can be very stressful for your dog and could in some cases lead to severe digestive problems such as diarrhoea or constipation. A slow and gradual acclimatisation to the new food is recommended.