The Proper Time to Neuter Puppies

Every year thousands of stray dogs are needlessly put to sleep, a sad occurrence that could easily be avoided if more dog owners had their animals spayed or neutered. The proper time to neuter dogs is when they are puppies. The health and behavioral benefits of this simple operation are innumerable.

  1. Age

    • As a general rule, puppies should be neutered when they first become sexually mature. This happens in most breeds at about 4 to 6 months. At this point, most dogs will have gone through puberty and are just about to enter their first heat cycle. This is also when most dogs have completed their first round of inoculations. You should have your dog neutered after the first series of shots is completed, whether this happens at 4 months, 6 months, or any other time.

    Preparation for Surgery

    • Your vet will be able to give you specific instructions leading up to the neutering surgery, but there are some basics that any vet will tell you regardless of the breed and age of your dog. Dogs should not eat for 8 hours before the surgery because the anesthesia your pet will be administered can cause nausea that is often worse if the dog has eaten recently. Your puppy can certainly drink water before the surgery. Your vet will also do a number of tests leading up to the surgery to make sure the dog is healthy and ready to undergo the procedure.

    Post-surgery

    • Castration may sound like a painful procedure, but it is actually not that hard on your pet if it is done correctly by a professional. Your dog̵7;s scrotum and genital area may appear swollen and irritated, and your dog will probably want to lick itself. Ask your vet for an Elizabethan collar (a plastic lampshade-shaped contraption) to prevent the dog from licking. If your vet has used stitches, you̵7;ll need to have them removed about 10 days after the surgery. Be gentle with your dog and don̵7;t force it to do anything it doesn̵7;t want to, like play or eat.

    Benefits of Neutering

    • There are numerous benefits to neutering, including a lowered risk of diseases such as testicular cancer and prostate disease, decreased aggression, less tendency to roam or run away in search of a mate, decreased humping and other sexual behaviors, and a decreased tendency to mark territory with urine.