When should you neuter your pet? This is one of the most common questions I get asked. For many years, there wasn’t a lot of research on the subject, so vets, trainers, and pet owners often had very different opinions. As a result, many pet owners feel confused about what is best for their animals.
In some countries, it is illegal to neuter a pet unless there is a medical reason. In the UK, however, early neutering is very common sometimes even before six months old. I’ve even heard of charities neutering animals at just 8 weeks old.
This difference in approach has created a large sample size of both neutered and un-neutered pets across different countries. Research is still ongoing, but trends are starting to emerge.
What Research Is Showing
Early Neutering and Joint Issues
Early neutering is linked to more arthritis and joint problems, and an increased risk of bone cancer. This is believed to be due to hormone changes that affect growth plates. In un-neutered animals, growth hormones drop during puberty, which helps growth plates close naturally.
Risks in Un-neutered Females
Female pets that are not neutered have a higher risk of mammary tumours and a life-threatening condition called pyometra (a uterine infection). The good news is that these conditions are treatable, and survival rates are generally high.
Behavioural Effects of Neutering Of When should you neuter your pet
Neutering can help reduce inter-male aggression in males, but it can also increase anxiety in some dogs. I’ve heard cases where a male dog became more reactive after neutering and even bit someone. This is rare, but it can happen.
Neutering may reduce behaviours like humping, but it does not always stop it completely. Humping can also be a behavioural issue that needs training rather than surgery.
For females, the behavioural effects of neutering are still unclear in research.
Other Considerations
Un-neutered animals may live longer, but this may be affected by diet and other variables.
Neutering eliminates the risk of testicular and ovarian cancers, but these cancers are treatable if detected early.
Breeding and breastfeeding can reduce the risk of mammary cancer in females.
My Personal Experience When should you neuter your pet
I waited until my dogs were older to neuter them. I didn’t neuter my girls until around 6 years old. Pancakes is nearly 10 and still training in flyball with no signs of arthritis.
Goose had reactivity issues, but I managed them successfully through training rather than surgery.
My Opinion
In my experience, it is often better to wait until your pet is older before neutering. The cancers prevented by neutering (ovarian, testicular, and mammary) are generally more treatable than the cancers more common in neutered animals (like bone cancer).
For male dogs, hormones can support confidence and behaviour, and early neutering can sometimes increase anxiety and reactivity.
Neutering is a permanent decision, so it deserves careful thought and discussion with your vet.
When Should You Neuter Your Pet – PurePawsome
