How old was your dog when he was neutered? It is becoming increasingly common to see puppies in shelters and rescue groups being neutered at very young ages, sometimes as young as seven weeks old. Clearly preventing unwanted litters is important and generally the driving force behind puppies being neutered early. But are there any long-term health problems linked to early neutering?
Trends
Previously vets weren’t recommending puppies to be neutered before six months of age but in recent years this is shifting. Dr. Tory Waxman, Chief Veterinary Officer and co-founder of human-grade dog food brand Sundays for Dogs, Inc. explained that the neutering of puppies known as “pediatric neutering” is increasingly common particularly with shelters and rescues “with the goal of preventing unwanted litters and subsequent pet overpopulation.” Dr. Waxman notes that “while there is understandably motivation to prevent overpopulation, pediatric spay/neuter does not come without risks.”
Behavioral Concerns
One of the primary concerns associated with neutering young puppies is that the neutering procedure not only removes your puppy’s ability to reproduce (usually the goal) but you are also impacting a dog’s hormones. This shift in hormones can have an impact on a dog’s temperament and behavior when they reach adulthood. Many people opt for early neutering hoping to prevent some of the more challenging or unwanted behaviors that can be associated with unneutered dogs including marking, humping etc. However, early neutering can backfire in terms of your dog’s behavior. Dr. Waxman noted that early neutering when dogs are still puppies has been shown to lead to an increase in aggression.
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