Neutered my boy today, im nervous!

[fillcee85]

Hey Guys, I have a male rottie who just turned 12 months this week. Hes a great dog but i figured it was time to do the deed because he had been marking excessivley and even on people somtimes! anyways I took him early this morning to the vet. I hope all goes well i am a little nervous. The lady at the vet told me that after neutering the dog his metabolism will slow down. I know rotties are prone to Hip problems and i defenitly do not want this for my dog. So after the procedures been done I want to switch foods and make sure he wont gain too much weight. I currently feed him Nutro controlled growth, I chose this brand because i thought the controlled growth would be healthy for him and there was even a picture of a rottweiler pup on the bag, but i know that doesnt mean anything. although i have heard this is not a very good brand of dog food to feed your dog

My question is: what kind of food do you guys suggest to keep my dog in good shape and not turn into a fatty :P lastly what do you guys think of the Costco brand dog food, by kirkland I read the ingredients and they seem to be pretty good, containing low amounts of wheat and higher amounts of meat and lamb. Ive heard some good things about thtat dog food from other dog owners. What do you guys think?

thanks

[mikimm]

The best way to manage your dog's weight is to keep him active. As for food, do a search here on food and you will find lots of info.

[brunie's mom]

Good for you for being a responsible pet owner and having your dog neutered.
Honestly, at 12 months, your dog still has some more growing to do, and I would not be cutting back on his food.

Nutro is a mid-grade food, as is Kirkland...nothing too special about either food. For the same amount that you pay for Nutro you could feed Canidae, and for a few dollars more, Innova, or Wellness...or some of the grainless foods such as EVO or Orijen.

I would just keep an eye on his weight, and exercise him...and he should not get fat. All my dogs have been neutered and spayed and I've never had an overweight dog.

Gina

[fillcee85]

He is 12 months old and weights 120, i know thats a little on the heavy side, but i do exercise him daily and feed him the suggested amount. He is particularly large, everyone always says wow hes such a big boy! etc. He is relativley tall and is pretty lean. I know he will only get heavier, hopefully not too much heavier. I will look into Canidae, and other brands. Thanks for the suggestions thus far!

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by fillcee85

He is 12 months old and weights 120, i know thats a little on the heavy side, but i do exercise him daily and feed him the suggested amount. He is particularly large, everyone always says wow hes such a big boy! etc. He is relativley tall and is pretty lean. I know he will only get heavier, hopefully not too much heavier. I will look into Canidae, and other brands. Thanks for the suggestions thus far!

Don't follow the guidelines to a tee here on food amounts. They tend to suggest to feed WAAAAY too much food. You really need to measure the food out based on how your dog looks and feels. It all depends on energy level, activity level, can you feel his ribs etc...don't just follow the guidelines.

I too applaud you for neutering your dog and being responsible, but please, neutering is not the cure all for behavior, you'll still need to train, train and train some more.

Hudson too just got neutered 1 week and 4 days ago, his energy is just about the same, I am feeding him a bit less because we've been limiting his exercise, but I don't worry about his metabolism, just keep an eye on his weight and make sure you measure out his food with a meaduring device. Also get him on a better food.

[fillcee85]

Hey Guys, just an update, My boy Malone is doing fine. HE is still a little groggy, He wasnt in the mood to eat when i got home but i fed him a couple of treats and gave him a little water. I have been doing reesarch and reading posts on neutering your dog too early may lead to bone cancer. THis scares the crap out of me. I have read many posts of members saying to wait 18 months. My boy just turned 12 months, Do you think this was too early? I kind of feel like i should have waited now after reading these posts. Hes always been a mellow boy and well behaved, it was just he was showing signs of dominating on other dogs at the park and excessive marking so i thought it was time. What do you guys think? lastly do you think neutering my boy at 12 mon may lead to bone cancer? :( im so scared of it, ACK i cant sleep!

[FilosFolks]

The biggest problem with speutering too early is related to bone growth. How long has he been the size he is now? NOT his weight, but his frame?

Ailee

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by fillcee85

Hey Guys, just an update, My boy Malone is doing fine. HE is still a little groggy, He wasnt in the mood to eat when i got home but i fed him a couple of treats and gave him a little water. I have been doing reesarch and reading posts on neutering your dog too early may lead to bone cancer. THis scares the crap out of me. I have read many posts of members saying to wait 18 months. My boy just turned 12 months, Do you think this was too early? I kind of feel like i should have waited now after reading these posts. Hes always been a mellow boy and well behaved, it was just he was showing signs of dominating on other dogs at the park and excessive marking so i thought it was time. What do you guys think? lastly do you think neutering my boy at 12 mon may lead to bone cancer? :( im so scared of it, ACK i cant sleep!

Please don't take much heed in those posts. The study that was done...said that dogs neutered before 12 months had a bit greater chance of getting bone cancer. We have dog owner's on the forum that have had their dogs die of bone cancer that were still intact. So neutering or spaying is not the cause of bone cancer.
Millions of shelter dogs as well as many pet owners neuter/spay from 6 months of age....they are all fine, and healthy and living long lives.

18 months is not the magic age....just because a few members keep quoting that age...it does not mean anything.

You did the right thing...waited till he was sexually mature (if he was marking..then he was).

I am concerned about his weight. He really should not gain anymore weight....cut back on his food.

Gina

[Shelby427]

Originally Posted by fillcee85

Hey Guys, just an update, My boy Malone is doing fine. HE is still a little groggy, He wasnt in the mood to eat when i got home but i fed him a couple of treats and gave him a little water. I have been doing reesarch and reading posts on neutering your dog too early may lead to bone cancer. THis scares the crap out of me. I have read many posts of members saying to wait 18 months. My boy just turned 12 months, Do you think this was too early? I kind of feel like i should have waited now after reading these posts. Hes always been a mellow boy and well behaved, it was just he was showing signs of dominating on other dogs at the park and excessive marking so i thought it was time. What do you guys think? lastly do you think neutering my boy at 12 mon may lead to bone cancer? :( im so scared of it, ACK i cant sleep!

No, you did the right thing. 12 months is fine, as long as most of his growing is done (which it is). Also, you posted several times about his behavior, and how he was jumping around, not listening, peeing on people...definitely time to neuter your boy and get some training.