What Should A Dog Look Like After Being Neutered? (9 Clear Facts)

One question that dog owners tend to raise is on what a dog should look like after being neutered. In this article, we set out to answer that question.

What should a dog look like after being neutered? Immediately after the neutering operation, there may be some swelling in the scrotal area. Eventually, the dog’s scrotum flattens or remains as a skin flap, depending on the age of the dog when it was neutered. An incision scar may also remain.

If the dog was reasonably young when neutering was done, the scrotum will eventually flatten out completely.

But if the dog was older at the time of the operation, the scrotum will remain, hanging as an empty skin flap thereafter.

Of course, neutering the dog does affect its hormones. That in turn often has an effect on its metabolism. Thus without dietary and exercise changes, a neutered dog may tend to look bigger (fatter) than one that is not neutered.

But when you compare pictures of a neutered dog with those of an unfixed dog, this is not always so clear.

Shorter after the operation, how exactly the dog looks depends on how far down the male dog neuter recovery path it is. Complete dog neutering healing process takes a bit of time.

In a newly neutered dog, the male dog neuter incision may look like more of a wound. Then the neuter wound healing starts, and progresses. Ultimately, what remains is a dog neuter scar.

And in some cases, the male dog neuter scar may be very small. So small that you have to examine the site very closely to pick it.

What Does Neutering A Dog Entail?

The first step in answering the what should a dog look like after being neutered question is to find out what neutering entails.

In fact, attempting to answer the what should a dog look like after being neutered question without understanding what the neutering entails would be illogical.

Therefore the first thing should be to find out what the neutering operations entails.

After that, we can proceed to answer questions like what should a dog look like after being neutered or what does a neutered dog look like or, more personally, what will my dog look like after he’s neutered.

So, indeed, what does neutering a dog entail?

At its core, the process of neutering a dog entails first putting the dog under anesthesia.

Thereafter, the vet makes an incision on the dog’s scrotum. Then the vet removes the dog’s two testicles through that incision.

After that there is stitching the incision, and then just allowing the dog to heal naturally.

So in a nutshell, that is what neutering a dog entails.

But that description of the dog neutering process raises other interesting questions.

Those are questions like, what should my dog’s neuter incision look like, what should a healing neuter incision look like and what does a healed neuter incision look like.

Moreover, the fact that there being ‘incision’ means that there is the possibility of infection. That then leads to questions like, what does an infected neuter incision look like?

All in all, what is clear is that neutering a dog entails putting it under anesthesia, making an incision, removing the testicles, then stitching the incision.

With that background information, we can proceed in answering the what should a male dog look like after being neutered question.

What Should A Dog Look Like After Being Neutered?

There are two approaches we can use, in answering the what should a dog look like after being neutered question.

The first approach is in which we seek to know how the scrotal area should look, after neutering.

And the second approach is one in which we seek to know how the dog’s general appearance should be like, after neutering.

Let’s start with the first approach. How should the dog’s scrotal area look after neutering?

In the first few days after the neutering operation, there may be swelling in the scrotal area. This can actually get you wondering whether the neutering operation was a success.

Eventually though, the dog’s scrotum flattens. That is if the dog was still reasonably young at the time of the neutering operation. If the dog was older, the scrotum will remain, but hanging as a skin flap…

Turning to the dog’s general appearance, this may not change much. But neutering may make the dog bigger, due to the metabolic changes it induces.

There are also those who say that the dog may look sadder and less vibrant, due to less testosterone. But this doesn’t happen to all dogs.

If you make reference to picture of male dog after neutering, the dog often looks as vibrant and zestful as any other. That much is clear, from most neutered dog pictures.

Looking at dog neuter before and dog neuter after pictures, you don’t see much of a difference in the dog’s disposition.

Thus the only guaranteed change in appearance will be in the scrotal area. The scrotum will either flatten completely, or remain hanging as an empty skin flap.

That is how best to answer the what should a dog look like after being neutered question.

How Long After Neutering Does Testosterone Drop?

In answering the what should a dog look like after being neutered question, it is important to understand how long it takes for the dog’s testosterone levels to drop.

Testosterone is the male hormone, which the dog’s testicles produce. Neutering entails removing the testicles. That should in turn lead to a drop in testosterone. But how long does that take?

The answer is that it typically takes up to 6 weeks for the dog’s testosterone levels to drop, after neutering.

What Should A Neuter Incision Look Like?

People whose dog’s undergo neutering tend to pose lots of questions about the incision itself.

Top among those is the what should my dog’s incision look like after neutering question?

Other aspects of this question are, what does a neuter incision look like normally, what does an infected neuter incision look like and actually, where is the incision on a neutered dog?

All these are matters of interest to the people who pose the broader question on how do dogs look after neutering.

Now the normal neuter incision dog gets is on the front side of the scrotum, below its penis.

When you make reference to pictures of normal neuter incision, that is the location you see.

Further, the neuter incision should be ‘clean’. Not zigzag, or otherwise lacking in neatness. That is what you discover, browsing through normal dog neuter incision pictures.

Actually, if you were to look at real life dog neutering pictures, you would observe the alacrity with which the vet makes the cut.

Further, the edges of the dog neuter incision should touch each other. This is very important.

Thus if you had the what should my dogs neuter incision look like question, this is another key aspect

If you make reference to all clear dog neuter incision pictures, you see the incision’s edges touching. Dog neuter incision healing is easier and faster if the edges touch…

In terms of skin color, this may be normal. But sometimes, it turns out to be reddish or pinkish, and this is quite normal too.

Again, if you make reference to dog neuter incision healing pictures, this color appearance is quite clear.

What Should A Healed Neuter Look Like?

In answering the what should a dog look like after being neutered question, we need to explore how the area should look like after healing.

This is specifically the area within which the vet makes the incision. So what should the healed neuter incision dog is left with look like? Before that, what should a healing neuter incision dog remains with look like?

Generally, what should neuter incision look like, while healing and after healing?

While it is healing, the neuter incision area may have some scabbing. Color will normally be pinkish. It will have no major swelling (beyond the first few days). And it will also be discharge free.

Thus if you had the how should a neuter incision look while healing question, that is the answer to it.

This also answers the how should a dog look after being neutered question at some level.

If you make reference to pictures of male dog after neutering, you see these features clearly.

In some dog neuter incision pictures, there is scabbing. But it is also possible for the healthy neuter incision dog receives not to scab too much.

The dog neuter incision healing process does, however, often include considerable scabbing. That is due to clotting of blood at the site.

If there is proper closure of stitches at the incision site of neutered dog, that is another good sign.

Indeed, if you research on how should neuter incision look, this aspect keeps on coming up. That is the aspect of stitch edges closing properly.

In a fully healed neutered dog, the incision turns into a scar. You sometimes see these scars in pictures of neutered dogs.

Will My Dogs Sack Shrink After Neutering?

In answering the what should a dog look like after neutering question, we need to pay some attention to the sac.

Will it shrink after neutering? The answer is ‘yes’. But not necessarily immediately. Initially, there may be swelling. Then it shrinks, and actually flattens out or remains hanging as an empty skin flap.

Thus if you had the does a dogs scrotum shrink after neutering question, now you know the answer.

Indeed, a shrunk sack is one sign of a neutered dog. In answering the what does neutered dog look like question, this is one of the key things they mention.

The whole thing is akin to asking, do dogs balls shrink after neuter? Or does a dogs sack shrink after neutering? Does dog scrotum shrink after neutering?

And the answer to all these questions is ‘yes’. After all, the whole point of neutering is to remove testicles from the ‘sack’. That is sure to leave it smaller in size/shrunk, isn’t it?

Consequently, in answering the how can you tell if a dog was neutered before question, examining the sack is essential. A shrunk sack would indicate prior neutering.

And in answering the what is a dog supposed to look like after neuter question, this shrunk sac appearance is also essential.

For male dogs, the signs of neutering (like a shrunk sack) are so easy to pick. It is not like asking, what should a dog look like after being spayed: in which case there are fewer outward signs.

While at it, how long for neutered dog scrotum to shrink? That is normally in a matter of months. Sure, within 2-3 days, the immediate swelling should go away. But full shrinkage/flattening can take as many as 6-12 months.

Is It Normal For A Dog’s Scrotal Area To Swell After Neutering?

Often, the people who pose the what should a dog look like after neutering question have an interest in the aspect of swelling.

They seek to know whether swelling is normal after neutering. Is it? The answer is ‘yes’. Some degree of swelling is normal.

But the swelling shouldn’t persist beyond the first few days. Thus the swelling is only normal in the early stages of the neutered dog healing process.

There are several dog neuter healing stages. Keep that in mind.

Earlier, while answering the what should dog neuter incision look like question, we saw that it depends on the stage.

Similarly, the stages of neuter healing determine whether or not swelling is normal.

Early in the neuter healing process, some swelling is expectable. It is part of the dog neuter wound healing.

With the dog healing from neutering, there can be inflammation, hence the swelling.

You can see the swelling in certain post neuter pictures. Early healing after neutering dog often comes with a bit of swelling.

Then again, there is normal swelling after neutering. And then there is abnormal swelling after neutering.

You just need to take a look at pictures of normal swelling after neuter dog. Or make reference to dog neuter recovery pictures.

From the dog neutering healing process pictures, you may be able to tell the normal swelling from abnormal swelling.

One of the signs of infection after neutering dog can be abnormal swelling. It is therefore essential to know the difference between normal and abnormal swelling.

Is It Normal For A Dog To Look Fat After Neutering?

Another natural extension to the what should a dog look like after being neutered is this one: in which people seek to know whether the dog looks fat.

Thus in answering the what should a dog look like after neutering question, we have to pay attention to this as well.

Some dogs do look fatter after neutering. Neutering entails removal of testicles. This affects production of sex hormones. And that in turn leads to metabolism changes.

It is on account of those metabolism changes that a dog may look fatter after neutering. But this doesn’t happen immediately. And it doesn’t have to happen, with proper diet and lifestyle modifications.

If you research on what do neutered dogs look like, not many sources mention anything about the dogs being fatter. Therefore it may not be so common.

Does A Dog Look Sad After Being Neutered?

Neutering entails removing a key part of the dog: namely its testicles, which define its masculinity. Many people imagine that this can make the dog look sad.

Thus in asking the what should a dog look like after being neutered question, they seek to know whether the dogs generally look sadder.

In fact, due to the impression that the dogs become ‘sad’ after neutering, we also have people asking, how do I comfort my dog after neutering?

The true position is that neutered dogs don’t really look sadder than others. But they may be somewhat more aggressive, due to the immediate pain.

But you may comfort a dog following the neutering operation by giving it treats, and generally soothing it. Also ensure that the dog doesn’t engage in vigorous activities in the immediate days.

Does A Dog Look Feminine After Being Neutered?

Sometimes, the people who pose the what should a dog look like after being neutered question turn out to be individuals who are worried about the dogs becoming ‘feminine’.

Therefore in asking the what should a dog look like after being neutered question, this is what they seek to establish.

Consequently, in answering the what should a dog look like after being neutered question, we have to address this too.

The true position is that dogs don’t look significantly feminine after this operation.

What changes are the masculine behaviors, rather than the appearance.

In terms of behavior, will my dog stop marking after he’s neutered? The answer is ‘yes’. Even if the dog doesn’t stop completely, there should be significant reduction in this behavior.

But in terms of how does a male dog look after being neutered, there isn’t much of a difference from what he looked before.

He certainly doesn’t become significantly more feminine in appearance.

How Long For A Dog To Heal After Being Neutered?

Quite often, alongside the what should a dog look like after being neutered question comes this one: on how long it takes the dog to heal.

So, indeed, how many days does it take for a dog to heal after being neutered?

It normally takes 10 to 14 days for most dogs to heal, following neutering operations.

Thus if you had the how many days for a dog to heal after being neutered question, that is the answer to it.

At the very least, after 10 to 14 days, examination should reveal a fully healed neuter incision.

Final Verdict – What Should A Dog Look Like After Being Neutered

After undergoing neutering a dog will either have a flat scrotum or its scrotum will be hanging as an empty flap of skin.

Dogs that undergo neutering while still reasonably young are the ones that end up with fully flat scrotums.

The scrotums of those that undergo neutering later don’t flatten fully. But they remain hanging, as empty flaps of skin.

Dogs that have undergone neutering may tend to be fatter than those that haven’t. This is due to the hormonal and hence metabolic changes that neutering brings about.

In the days following the neutering operation, the dog has a wound. This wound should have clean edges. The color may be pinkish or reddish initially, after which scabbing sets in.

A dog may experience some swelling in the first 2 or 3 days after neutering. But this should soon disappear.

Eventually, once there is complete healing, what may remain is a thin scar. This is at the point where there was the neutering incision.

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Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️