Sounds like an April Fool doesn’t it? But actually, it’s surprisingly common how often people ask us this! We asked our vet blogger Lizzie to look into the question of what happens to “his bits” after they’re removed…
I’ve worked in veterinary practice for over a decade, and there are very few questions left which would surprise me! Pet owners are often understandably curious about what exactly occurs when their pet goes in for surgery, and what happens to their pets’ missing “bits”! In some, this curiosity extends to a desire to keep the testicles after a neutering procedure. If this is you – you’re not alone! I have been asked this question before, and the answer is not as simple as you might think. Taking a pet’s testicles home is possible, but there are some safety issues that should be considered.
Ever looked at your newly neutered furry friend and thought “Wait a minute… where did his balls go? Or… why are they still there?!” You’re not alone in this confusion. Many dog owners are surprised by what they see (or don’t see) after their pup’s big snip.
I’ve been working with dogs for years, and this question comes up ALL the time Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all!
The Quick Answer
No, dogs don’t keep their testicles after being neutered – that’s literally what neutering is! However, they often retain the scrotal sac (the skin pouch that held the testicles), which can look like they still have their balls, especially right after surgery.
Why Your Dog Still Looks Like He Has Balls After Neutering
If you’ve just picked up your boy from the vet after his neutering procedure and you’re scratching your head wondering if they actually did the surgery, don’t worry. There are several normal reasons for this appearance:
1. Post-Surgery Swelling
The most common reason your dog appears to still have balls is simply swelling after surgery. This is totally normal! Your dog’s scrotum area will likely remain swollen for about 5-7 days after the procedure.
Think of it like if you had your wisdom teeth removed – your cheeks don’t immediately go back to normal size right? Same concept!
2. The Empty Scrotum Remains
Here’s something many pet parents don’t realize: during a neutering procedure, the vet removes the testicles but typically leaves the scrotal sac intact. They don’t remove this extra skin pouch because:
- It would require additional, unnecessary surgery
- It would increase healing time
- It’s perfectly harmless to leave it
Over time, what happens to this empty pouch depends on your dog’s age:
- Young dogs: The empty sac will usually flatten out as they grow
- Adult dogs: A small flap of skin often remains permanently
3. Age Matters
If your dog was neutered when he was very young, you probably won’t notice much of anything left behind. The area tends to flatten out completely.
However, if your pup was neutered as an adult, that scrotal tissue has been stretched out for a longer time. Just like a deflated balloon doesn’t return to its original tiny size, your dog’s scrotum won’t completely disappear.
What Actually Happens During Neutering Surgery?
To understand why your dog might look like he still has balls, it helps to know what actually happens during the procedure. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
- Your dog receives general anesthesia and pain medication
- The surgical area is shaved, cleaned, and disinfected
- The vet makes an incision, usually just in front of the scrotum
- The testicles are pulled up through this incision
- The blood vessels and tubes are tied off
- The testicles are removed completely
- The incision is closed with sutures (either dissolvable or removable)
- Your dog begins the recovery process
The key thing to know is that the testicles are 100% removed during a proper neutering. If your dog truly still had testicles, he wouldn’t be considered neutered!
Rare Complications: When It’s Not Just Swelling
While post-surgical swelling and remaining scrotal tissue are the most common explanations, there are a few rare situations where something else might be going on:
Undescended Testicle (Cryptorchidism)
Some male dogs have a condition where one or both testicles never descend into the scrotum. This requires a more complex surgery to find and remove the undescended testicle(s).
In very rare cases, if the vet couldn’t locate an undescended testicle, your dog might still have one inside his body. This is uncommon with experienced vets but technically possible.
Testicular Remnant Syndrome
In extremely rare cases, a tiny piece of testicular tissue might be left behind during surgery. This can sometimes continue producing hormones, though your dog would still be sterile.
Fake Neutering (Unfortunately, It Happens)
In the worst-case scenario, an unethical person might claim to have neutered your dog but didn’t actually perform the surgery correctly. This is very uncommon with licensed veterinarians but has been known to happen in some sketchy situations.
How To Tell If Your Dog Is Actually Neutered
If you’re concerned about whether your dog was properly neutered, here are some ways to check:
- Wait for swelling to subside: Give it 1-2 weeks for post-surgical swelling to go down
- Look for the incision scar: There should be a visible scar near the base of the penis
- Observe behavior changes: Properly neutered dogs usually show reduced marking, mounting, and aggression over time
- Consult your vet: If you’re still unsure, your veterinarian can perform an examination
Benefits of Neutering (Even If The Sac Remains)
Even though your dog might still appear to have his balls, a properly neutered dog receives all these benefits:
- Elimination of the risk of testicular cancer
- Reduced risk of prostate problems
- Decreased aggression in many cases
- Reduced marking behavior
- No unwanted litters
- Less desire to roam in search of females
Recovery: What To Expect After Neutering
After your dog’s neutering surgery, you should:
- Keep the incision site clean and dry
- Prevent your dog from licking or chewing at the area (the dreaded “cone of shame” helps)
- Limit activity for 7-10 days
- Monitor for excessive swelling, redness, discharge, or opening of the incision
- Follow all your vet’s post-operative care instructions
Is It Normal For The “Balls” To Change Over Time?
Yes! What you see immediately after surgery isn’t what you’ll see a month later. The swelling will subside, and depending on your dog’s age, the scrotal sac will either flatten completely or remain as a small flap of skin.
Common Questions About Dogs and Their Balls After Neutering
Will my dog be able to reproduce if he still looks like he has balls?
No. If properly neutered, your dog is 100% sterile regardless of how his scrotum appears.
Do I need to have the scrotal sac removed for cosmetic reasons?
Nope! There’s no medical reason to remove the empty scrotal sac. It’s purely cosmetic, and most vets don’t recommend an additional surgery just for appearance.
Can my dog still experience hormonal urges if he looks like he has balls?
Generally no. Neutering removes the source of testosterone, so hormonal urges significantly decrease over time regardless of how the scrotum looks.
My dog was neutered but still tries to mount other dogs. Why?
Mounting behavior isn’t always sexual – it can also be related to play, dominance, or habit. Neutering reduces sexually motivated mounting but may not eliminate all mounting behavior.
When should I be concerned about my dog’s appearance after neutering?
Contact your vet if you notice:
- Excessive swelling that doesn’t improve after a week
- Discharge, odor, or opening of the incision
- Swelling that moves locations or comes and goes
- Your dog seems in pain or unwell
The Bottom Line
Your neutered dog doesn’t still have his balls, even if it looks like he does. What you’re seeing is either post-surgical swelling or the remaining scrotal sac that once held the testicles.
This is completely normal and nothing to worry about! The important thing is that your dog is now sterile and will experience the health and behavioral benefits of neutering.
If you’re ever concerned about your pet’s surgery or recovery, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. They’ve seen it all and can quickly determine if what you’re seeing is normal or needs attention.
Remember, getting your pet neutered is one of the most responsible things you can do as a pet owner. It prevents unwanted litters and provides significant health benefits for your furry best friend!
Have you had your dog neutered? Did he look like he still had balls afterward? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
What happens when my pet is neutered?
Castration – the term for neutering male pets – is a routine procedure at most veterinary surgeries. However, it is still a surgery, performed by a qualified veterinary surgeon and with the animal asleep. The surgery differs slightly between dogs and cats, and will also vary between veterinary surgeons. There are many correct ways of performing the same procedure.
In cats, the scrotum is first cleared of hair (for hygiene), and thoroughly cleaned. Two small cuts are made into the scrotum, and a testicle removed from each. The blood vessels and spermatic cord are tied off, and the testicles removed. The small incisions (cuts) in the skin of the scrotum are left to heal. Pain relief is given, and the cat is woken up and monitored in their recovery.
In dogs, often only one incision is made, just above the scrotum at the very bottom of their belly. Both testicles are removed through this cut, which is stitched up afterwards. The stitches may be internal (inside the wound), or external that you can see. Pain relief is given, and the dog monitored as they wake from the anaesthetic.
What happens to my pet’s testicles?
Vets perform thousands of castration procedures – so what happens to all the testicles?
Veterinary surgeries have a fairly complicated waste system. Vets need to dispose of all sorts of things, including medicines, needles, blood, surgical by-products, contaminated products and more. Testicles, as long as they don’t contain any disease which could be transmitted to humans, are anatomical waste and will be disposed of as such. Anatomical waste is usually removed by a professional disposal company and incinerated.