What is the earliest you can neuter a dog

Spaying or neutering your pet helps to reduce the number of unwanted pets in US shelters, protects against a number of serious diseases, and may help to curb some undesirable behaviors. But our Santa Clarita vets know how confusing it can be to decide when to have your dog spayed. Below we provide some advice on deciding the best age to have your dog spayed or neutered. 

Fixing, Spaying, or Neutering Your Dog

It is estimated that 6.5 million unwanted animals enter US shelters every year. One essential way to help reduce the number of unwanted pets is to get your dog spayed or neutered.

There are a number of terms used when discussing surgeries used to sterilize pets, so let's begin by clarifying what we are discussing in this article.

• Getting your dog 'fixed' means that your pet (male or female) is going to be operated on in order to prevent them from being able to produce puppies. Getting a pet fixed can involve either spaying or neutering.
• Spaying involves removing a female dog’s reproductive organs via either an ovariectomy (removing only the ovaries) or an ovariohysterectomy (removing both uterus and ovaries). After the vet has spayed your female dog, her heat cycle will be eliminated and she will not be able to have puppies.
• Neutering is also known as castration and involves a vet removing both testicles, along with their associated structures. Your neutered dog will not be able to reproduce. Though alternative options, such as vasectomies for male dogs (where the tubes which conduct sperm from the testes are severed) are available, they are not usually performed.

Wondering what the benefits of having your dog spayed or neutered are? Learn more about HERE.

Determining The Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Dog

Up until recently, it has been common practice to advise pet-parents to have their pets spayed or neutered when the dog is between 6 - 9 months of age, however, more and more often that advice is being questioned.

Risks Associated with Spaying & Neutering

Some recent studies appear to show that spaying or neutering pets at that age may, in some breeds, lead to an increased risk of conditions such as joint disorders,  cranial cruciate injuries, and some cancers. These increased levels of health risks appear to be related to how sex hormones affect each animal's musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and immune systems develop, and the age at which different breeds reach sexual maturity. 

Dog Breeds & Age of Maturity

Toy, miniature and small dogs reach maturity at a much younger age than larger breeds. In fact toy breeds can reach full maturity as young as 6 - 9 months, whereas medium to large breed dogs typically reach maturity around 12 months of age, and giant breeds can take as long as 18 months to reach maturity. Which means that while it is generally considered safe for small dogs to be spayed or neutered between 6 -9 months of age, some vets recommend delaying spay and neuter surgeries until the pet reaches maturity.

Best for Your Unique Pet

Your veterinarian understands your pet's health better than anyone and is typically in the best position to recommend that ideal time to get your pet 'fixed' based on breed, overall health, and lifestyle. When attending your puppy's early appointments for vaccinations and checkups have frank and open conversations with your pet's veterinarian about the best time to have your dog spayed or neutered, and any concerns you may have.

Plan Well Ahead for Your Pet's Spay or Neuter Surgery

In recent years the number of pets across North America has greatly increased, resulting in the need to plan well ahead of time when it comes to treatments such as spay and neuter operations. As soon as your vet gives you an idea of the best age to get your dog fixed, book your dog's surgery, even if it's months in advance. Booking your dog's appointment last minute can result in long delays leading to female pet's going into heat cycles, the development of undesirable behaviors, or unplanned puppies.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Ready to book your dog's spay or neuter surgery, or just want more information on getting your dog fixed? Call Valencia Veterinary Center to book an appointment with our experienced Santa Clarita vets.

Will neutering make my dog fat?

Due to the hormonal changes associated with neutering, your dog will need around 30% less calories once they have been spayed or castrated. We recommend that you reduce your dog’s portion sizes, or find a food specifically for neutered dogs, which is naturally lower in calories. If your dog is putting on weight after neutering, talk to your vet or vet nurse about the best ways to keep them in shape.

Will neutering change my dog’s personality?

If your pet is confident, happy and well socialised, then it’s very unlikely that neutering them will change their behaviour or personality.

However, if they are under-confident, fearful, or have behavioural problems, neutering could make them worse. This is because sex-hormones such as testosterone, tend to boost confidence, so a reduction in these hormones away at the wrong time might reduce your dog’s confidence, making them more fearful and/or aggressive.

If your dog is over-confident, or urine marks in the house, they might benefit from neutering, but the decision to neuter should always be thoroughly discussed with your vet and an ABTC accredited pet behaviourist if you are worried about their behaviour.

When is the best time to neuter a large/giant breed dog?

If your dog is a large or giant breed, your vet may advise waiting until they are a bit older before neutering them. This is because they are likely to take longer to reach their adult size, and their growth plates (which control bone growth), take a few months longer to close. There is some evidence to show that neutering large/giant breed dogs at 4-6 months can lead to joint problems in later life. Always speak to your vet about the best time to neuter your dog.

Does neutering help reduce aggression in dogs?

We now know that neutering doesn’t prevent aggression in dogs, and in some circumstances, can even make it worse. If your dog is showing signs of aggression, we advise speaking to your vet and an ABTC accredited pet behaviourist ASAP – getting help early is extremely important.

I am a PDSA client, how do I get my dog neutered?

We face a huge demand for our services at PDSA, and although our priority is urgent and lifesaving treatment, wherever possible we also provide preventive services such as neutering. To find out whether your local PDSA is offering neutering visit our eligibility checker. If your local PDSA is unable to offer neutering at present, we recommend that you try another local vet practice. Don’t worry, if you are registered with PDSA client and have your dog neutered elsewhere, you will stay registered with us should they become unwell at any point.

Does my dog need to have a litter before I spay her?

No, there is no evidence to show that having a litter of puppies is of any benefit to your dog. Pregnancy and giving birth can come with complications, and looking after a litter of puppies is hard work, expensive and time consuming – certainly not something to enter into without a great deal of thought and planning. If you are certain you want to breed from your dog, speak to your vet for advice beforehand.

Will neutering make my dog incontinent?

Spaying your dog when she is extremely young (less than 3 months old) can increase her risk of developing a type of incontinence called USMI, but once she is 3 months old, there is no evidence to show that it increases risk of incontinence later in life. Speak to your vet if you’re worried about the best age to neuter your dog.

Can a dog be speyed while in heat?

Ideally not. Spaying a dog in heat is much more risky because the blood vessels around the uterus become much bigger, and hormonal problems such as a long lasting false pregnancy can develop afterwards. For these reasons, it’s best to spay your dog 2-3 months after her season (unless there is a specific reason to do it sooner).

Why does my male dog still look like he still has testicles after his castration?

When a dog is castrated, the testicles (balls) are removed but the scrotum (ball sack) isn’t. This means sometimes they look like they still have testicles after their operation. Over time the scrotum will shrink and become less noticeable. If you notice swelling or redness in your dog’s scrotum after their surgery, contact your vet for advice. There are also two spherical glands called the ‘bulbus glandis’ that sit either side of the penis and swell when they become excited or aroused. These glands are often mistaken for testicles.

Will my dog need to wear a buster collar after being castrated/spayed?

Yes, most dogs need to wear a buster collar or medical shirt for a few days after they are neutered to protect their wound. If your dog licks or damages their wound they might develop an infection or cause the wound to open up.

Will neutering stop my dog humping?

There are many reasons why dogs hump; sometimes because of hormones, but also because of excitement or habit. For more information, read our article on humping behaviour in dogs, and speak to your vet to discuss whether neutering might help.

Is it too late to neuter my older dog?

No, in most cases neutering is a very safe and worthwhile operation, regardless of age. 

My dog has accidentally mated, what should I do?

If your dog has accidentally mated, contact your vet to discuss your options.

Can pregnant dogs be neutered?

Yes, in many cases it is possible to spay a pregnant dog. If you think your dog might be pregnant, contact your vet as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Can I neuter my dog before her first season?

Yes, your dog can be neutered before her first season. In fact, neutering a female dog before her first season significantly reduces the risk of certain medical conditions such as mammary (breast) cancers and pyometra (womb infection).

What is a laparoscopic (lap) spay?

A laparoscopic spay (lap spay) is when a dog is spayed via keyhole surgery.  Lap spays create much smaller wounds, tend to be less invasive, and reduce the risk of certain complications. However, at present, they are only performed by certain vets, and require special equipment, so aren’t available everywhere.

I have an unneutered female and male dog, what should I do to avoid an unwanted pregnancy?

If you have an unneutered male and female in the same household, it’s a good idea to consider neutering one or both of them. If this isn’t possible, you will need to keep them completely separate for 2-4 weeks every time your female dog is in season. They will both want to get to each other, so you will need to keep them distracted and in secure areas. If possible, it may be easier for someone else to look after your male dog while your female is in season.  

Will dog siblings mate?

Dogs aren’t selective about who they mate with, and given the opportunity will mate with their siblings. Their offspring would be closely related, and could have serious health problems. If your pets accidentally mate and they’re related, contact your vet as soon as possible – or better still get them neutered before any accidents happen.

Will neutering give my dog cancer?

Neutering won’t give your dog cancer – in fact neutering reduces the risk of many types of cancer. There are people who believe that neutering can increase the risk of certain cancers, but there is no solid evidence for this despite lots of scientific studies. As neutered dogs tend to live longer than un-neutered dogs, it may be that any increase in cancer rates we see are related to the longer lifespan, instead of neutering.

What happens if you neuter a dog too early?

Can you neuter a dog at 8 weeks old?

Can you neuter a 3 month old dog?

Can a dog be neutered before 6 months?