How old was your dog when it was neutered? It is more and more common for puppies in animal shelters and rescue groups to be neutered at a very young age, sometimes as early as seven weeks. Preventing unwanted litters is important, and generally the driving force behind early neutering of puppies. But are there any long-term health problems associated with early neutering?
Trends
Veterinarians used to recommend not having puppies neutered before six months of age, but this has been changing in recent years. Dr. Tory Waxman, chief veterinary officer and co-founder of the human-quality dog food brand Sundays for Dogs, Inc., stated that neutering puppies known as “pediatric neutering,” especially at animal shelters and rescue operations, “is aimed at” preventing unwanted litters and subsequent overpopulation of domestic animals. ”Dr. Waxman notes that “while there is understandably a motivation to prevent overpopulation, pediatric castration / neutering is not without its risks.”
Behavioral concerns
One of the main concerns about neutering young puppies is that the neutering process not only kills your puppy’s fertility (usually the target), but affects a dog’s hormones as well. This hormone shift can affect a dog’s temperament and behavior by the time they reach adulthood. Many people choose to be neutered early in hopes of preventing some of the more difficult or undesirable behaviors that may be associated with uncastrated dogs, including tagging, humping, etc. However, neutering early may affect your dog’s behavior backfire. Dr. Waxman found that neutering early when dogs are still puppies leads to an increase in aggression.
Health / Orthopedic Concerns
Dr. Waxman explains that early neutering “can predispose certain breeds to cancer, which is more common in modified individuals (such as lymphoma and bone cancer).” Additionally, one of the main reasons for delaying neutering is to protect your dog’s growing joints. “Puppies that have been altered at a young age can be prone to orthopedic problems in addition to certain types of cancer,” said Dr. Waxman. Particularly in large breed puppies and large breed puppies, early neutering can have a significant impact on the orthopedic development of these dogs, which can lead to lifelong complications, pain, and injury. “In general, current research suggests that neutering or neutering large breed dogs at a younger age puts them at higher risk of cancer and orthopedic problems compared to their small breed counterparts,” advises Dr. Waxman. Spaying and neutering early means that it takes longer for a dog’s growth plates to close, which can mean that they will grow larger and be at increased risk of injury during this growth period. Regardless of when your dog is neutered, “It is important to wait for the growth plate to close before engaging in any vigorous activity (long distance running, agility, etc.),” advises Dr. Waxman.
When to neuter a dog
The best age to neuter depends largely on the breed and size of your dog. “It is important to weigh the benefits and risks of when to spay and neuter with your veterinarian,” encourages Dr. Waxman. The larger the breed of puppy you have, the longer you will likely want to wait before neutering, with some veterinarians not recommending neutering large breed puppies until they are well over a year old. As always, discuss with your vet what age is right for your dog to be neutered.
Castration alternatives
Spaying and neutering dogs as young puppies comes with risks, but ultimately, getting your puppy neutered is important. In addition to the risk of accidentally giving birth to litters, castration eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. In addition, neutering dogs has been shown to significantly reduce a dog’s risk of developing prostate disease. If you are concerned about unplanned litters, a canine vasectomy is an alternative to early neutering. A vasectomy makes it impossible for the dog to reproduce, but it also preserves the hormones. In these cases, castration can be carried out later to prevent testicular diseases.
Added responsibility
One of the main reasons for neutering and neutering early is to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies. Dr. Says Waxman, “To the best of my knowledge, there is no conclusive evidence that early castration / neutering has a major impact on population control. Unfortunately, even with early neutering / neutering, pet overpopulation is still a major problem. ”However, delaying neutering brings with it some additional challenges and increased responsibility for dog guards. Dogs that have not yet been neutered will be overexcited / aroused by the smell of a bitch that may be in heat. Additionally, uncastrated males may be more tempted to leave your yard or run out the door to run around if they smell a bitch in heat. This requires special care, attention, and management to protect your puppy as it matures, before it is neutered.
Already neutered?
If you have adopted a puppy and the puppy has already been neutered, it does not mean that your puppy will automatically have negative behavior or health problems. Talk to your dog’s veterinarian about everything you can do to support your pup’s orthopedic health as he continues to grow. Dr. Waxman advised that your veterinarian may recommend that your puppy, who was neutered at a young age, “be fed a puppy-specific diet for an extended period of time that should be discussed with your veterinarian”. It’s also a good idea to schedule a training session with a positive reinforcement-based trainer in your area to get a feel for your dog’s current temperament and training goals. This will help you proactively address any behavioral challenges that may arise or be exacerbated by early castration.
