Neuticles were introduced to the world in 1995 by an inventor named Greg Miller. These are fake testicles designed just for dogs that have been neutered.1 After Miller’s bloodhound Buck was neutered, he became convinced that the dog was bothered by his missing testicles—Miller was certainly bothered about the situation. So, after designing a set of faux testicles, he implanted them in Buck so the dog would regain his “natural look.”
This product is purely for aesthetic purposes and has no health benefits for your dog. So while Neuticles likely won’t hurt them, they may not be worth the time and money.
What Are Neuticles for Dogs and How Much Do They Cost?
Neuticles are simply sets of balls that are meant to replace the real ones that are extracted during the neutering process. They were originally made of hard plastic that created a “clunking” noise in some dogs when they groomed themselves, moved around, or sat. While the original Neuticles are still available, newer ones that are made with solid silicone have hit the market and are considered superior because they don’t make noise after implantation.
Some Neuticle models are also textured to help prevent scar tissue from developing around them. These fake testicles come in 11 different sizes to accommodate a wide range of dog breeds. Pricing ranges from as low as $159 for the original product version to as high as $700 for Ultra testes that feature ScarRetard®.
Are These Fake Testicles Safe for Dogs?
According to the company’s website, the materials used in the production of Neuticles, such as polypropylene, have been FDA medically approved. However, none of the fake testicle products have been tested by any official organizations to confirm whether any side effects could be possible, and Neuticles as a product has not been FDA approved. That said, there is no evidence that any problems have arisen in dogs that have been implanted with Neuticles in the last 20-plus years.
Are Fake Testicles Beneficial in Any Way?
The availability of fake testicles for dogs can help owners feel better about having their pets neutered. Some owners don’t like the idea of altering their dog’s genitals through neutering and want to keep everything intact. They think that their dogs will miss their testicles, just like Greg Miller did. So, if they can replace the real testicles with fake ones, they can feel less guilty about the neutering process and have confidence that their dogs won’t be mourning the loss of their parts.
The evidence of a psychological benefit of Neuticles to our canines is anecdotal and mostly based on anthropomorphism and owner preference. However, there is also an argument that fake testicles can help encourage more people to have their pets neutered and reduce the number of homeless dogs in the world.
In some countries, such as the UK, using fake testicles is considered unethical. The UK’s Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVCS) states that “the insertion of prosthetic testicles is not a procedure that benefits the animal and is not in the animal’s interest”
The Bottom Line
Neuticles are not a necessity, and dogs will never even know that they’ve been implanted with them. The only reason to consider having your dog implanted with fake testicles is for your own peace of mind in knowing that they look “fully intact.” If that is what it takes to consider neutering your pup, it’s worth thinking about. However, don’t do it for your dog’s sake, as they can live just as happy a life without fake balls.
Featured Image Credit: Mary-Swift. Shutterstock
