Our mission is to help save dogs' and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links. We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. Show
I think that is often how dog owners (and veterinarians) feel when trying to decide on the right time to spay and neuter their pets. Additionally, many people are unsure as to whether or not they even want to spay or neuter their dog at all. When you spay or neuter your dog is a personal decision based on many factors. Making the choice of doing it early or waiting until your dog is older is truly a very personal decision dependent on many factors. The purpose of this article is to give you, as a dog owner, the information you need to make an informed decision. In no way is it intended to persuade you on when to spay or neuter your pet. But, as I'll dive into further below, it is important to spay or neuter your pet at some point in their life rather than not at all.
Considerations When Deciding When to Spay or Neuter Your DogThere are many things to consider when you are deciding on the right time to spay or neuter your dog. There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" approach that can be used. Here are just some basic things to think about when deciding on your dog's spay or neuter timing:
Veterinary Recommendations for When to Spay or Neuter Your DogPrior to recent studies (which predominately relate to large breed dogs), all pets were recommended to be spayed or neutered between 6 and 8 months, unless they were going to be used for breeding. But with recent studies linking early spay and neuter to certain health issues – which was only evaluated in large breed dogs — it is necessary to rethink the best time to have these procedures done. Research into spay and neuter timing has raised concerns primarily in regards to:
With that said, the research predominately focuses on large purebred dogs, such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds, and the issues early spaying/neutering may have on them. But it also stimulated a review of standards with regards to cats as well as small and medium-sized dogs. There are other studies involving smaller breeds but those studies all have been small. It is universally agreed upon that more research needs to be done.
When we think of dogs, whether it relates to food, toys, and even surgery (the amount of anesthesia and pain medication needed, for example), we tend to classify them as small, medium, large, or giant breeds. These classifications impact owners and veterinarians when making decisions about spaying and neutering due to recent research from UC Davis indicating potential benefits of delaying the procedure based on the size of the dog. To give you a general range of spay/neuter timing typically recommended by veterinarians, I've included the sections below. The following standards, for each size of a dog, follow the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Life Stage Guidelines. When to Spay or Neuter a Small Breed DogA dog is considered to be a small breed dog if their ideal adult weight is less than 22 pounds. Since small breed dogs do not have the same orthopedic issues as large breed dogs, it is recommended that females be spayed before their first heat (around 5 to 6 months) and males be neutered at 6 months of age. When to Spay or Neuter a Medium Breed DogA dog is considered to be a medium breed dog if their ideal adult weight is between 25 and 45 pounds. Dogs that fall in this weight range should be spayed before their first heat (5 to 6 months) and neutered by 6 months of age. When to Spay or Neuter Large a Giant Breed DogA dog is considered to be a large breed dog if their ideal adult weight is over 45 pounds. Giant breeds are dogs weighing 75 pounds or more. Any dog that will be over 45 pounds as an adult should be neutered after their growth stops. This time period is typically between 9 and 15 months of age. For females, the decision to spay is based on additional factors. Some of these factors include your dog’s disease risk as well as your and your dog's lifestyle. After reviewing the pros and cons with your veterinarian, together, you may alter the recommended window to between 5 and 15 months. What if Your Dog's Breeder Requests You to Wait Longer to Spay or Neuter?Often breeders or breed groups will recommend waiting to spay or neuter a dog up until 2 years of age. Why is there a disconnect between veterinary standards and breeder recommendations? The OFA certification (an evaluation of a dog's hips done by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) cannot be done until a dog is 2 years old. This evaluation is integral to reputable breeding programs to limit the occurrence of hip dysplasia and other orthopedic issues in future generations. Therefore, dogs who may potentially contribute to their breeding lines are asked to wait longer until the OFA and other health tests have been completed and their breeding program status determined. In other cases, breeders may recommend waiting to spay or neuter later so the dog can benefit from the prolonged exposure to hormones, even if that dog will not be bred. Challenges of Living With an Intact DogHaving an intact dog means you'll need to be more aware of potential behavior challenges, medical issues, and difficulty in finding certain services for your dog.
Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your DogNow that we've discussed the recommendations for the WHEN to spay or neuter your dog, I do want to touch on why it's important to spay or neuter your dog in the first place. It is important to balance not only the benefits to society but also the medical and behavioral benefits to pets and their owners. It is asserted, by the American College of Theriogenologists and the Society of Theriogenology, that any companion animal that is not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered. They also state that any potential consequences for each animal must be considered with the management of the animal and the overall breed population.
From a behavioral standpoint, aggressive dogs should always be spayed or neutered. This is not because spaying or neutering will necessarily diminish aggressive behavior (studies are still looking into whether it has a consistent and positive impact on aggression), but because we do not want any aggressive genetic traits to be passed down to future generations of dogs. Benefits and Risks of Canine Spaying and NeuteringPersonally, I am one of those people who can’t make a decision without looking at the pros and cons. Then even after I make a list, I re-evaluate the list again to see if the pros are really pros and the cons are really cons, based on my situation and circumstances. Hopefully, with the help of your veterinarian, your decision-making process for spaying and neutering will be much simpler. I want to provide you with a list of general benefits and risks that will help (I hope) you make the best choice for yourself and your pet. Remember, this decision is based entirely on what works best for you, your pet, and the lifestyle you both live.
Health Benefits of Spaying Your Dog
Health Benefits of Neutering Your Dog
Behavioral Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog
Behavioral Risks of Spaying or NeuteringWhen dealing with problematic behavioral issues, in the past many dog trainers and behavior consultants had recommended spaying or neutering as a first course of action. However, with increasing studies being done on the impact of this procedure on certain behavioral traits, this standard is changing. Some study results have noted an increase in possessive aggression (resource guarding), fear-related behaviors, and over-excitability in male dogs after neutering, more so when they are neutered earlier rather than later. Spaying may also cause an increase in owner-directed aggression, resource guarding, and fearful reactivity in female dogs, also linked to the timing of the spay.5 The question for professional canine behavior consultants then comes down to not if someone should spay or neuter their dog, but when. More studies are needed to help us better understand the behavioral consequences of early spaying and neutering. But the trend does point towards the benefits of allowing our dogs to remain intact longer to allow for more hormonal exposure and growth. Risks of Spaying or Neutering
How Much Does a Dog Spay or Neuter Cost?Average Cost for Spaying or Neutering a DogThe average price of a spay or neuter procedure depends a lot on where you are located and the presence of low-cost clinics.
Factors that Affect Cost of a Spay or NeuterWhen it comes to the cost of spaying and neutering dogs, there are several factors that impact the cost.
Should You Have Your Dog Spayed or Neutered at a Low-Cost Clinic?Low-cost spay and neuter clinics typically charge much less than general practice veterinary clinics. This is due to the fact that they can obtain grants and have volunteer help. Additionally, many of these clinics do not perform pre-surgical exams, bloodwork, place catheters, run IV fluids, etc., which helps in keeping their costs lower. General practice veterinary clinics are using the highest quality medications, equipment, and highly trained staff, which costs more. Since low-cost clinics typically aren't able to monitor your dog’s temperature, oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rhythm, carbon dioxide level, and pulse rate, this increases the risks of complications. Fluids are essential to maintain hydration during surgery as well as manage your dog’s blood pressure. Additionally, in emergency situations, the lack of fluids and a catheter can potentially increase the chances of death since the veins often collapse which makes administering emergency drugs difficult. Many low-cost clinics are not held to the same standards for surgical room protocol and instrument sterilization. This increases the risk of infection. Infections in the surgical site can risk the area opening up which will require surgery as well as intensive antibiotic treatments. Normally dogs are discharged from the facility at closing. If your dog has any complications it will require a visit to an emergency clinic which can be costly. Typically, a general practice veterinary clinic will hospitalize your pet overnight or they are available for emergency calls. If they do not perform the procedure, they cannot advise you on what to do without extensive evaluation, which can be expensive. When deciding where to have your dog's spay or neuter procedure done, do your research and ask the clinic lots of questions about pre-op testing, procedural protocols, and post-op support. Low-cost spay and neuter clinics have played an integral role in helping control pet overpopulation and providing this essential service to those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. However, it's important that you feel comfortable with how your dog's surgery will be done and what support you will have should complications arise. As I have said repeatedly, the decision to spay and neuter your dog is dependent on a variety of factors. I recommend you discuss these things with your veterinarian and make the choice that suits you and your dog. What is the best age to neuter a male puppy?The traditional age for neutering is six to nine months. However, puppies as young as eight weeks can be neutered as long as there aren't other health problems. An adult dog can be neutered at any time but there is a larger risk of complications.
What happens if you neuter a dog too early?Some veterinarians say that spaying and neutering too early will deprive your dog of the sex hormones necessary for their maturation. These hormones are responsible for skeletal growth. If the procedure occurs too early, it may take much longer for your dog's growth plates to close.
|