Unleashed: L.A.’s recent spay/neuter law mandates that pet dogs and cats be sterilized by the time they’re 4 months old. … However, the benefits of neutering early far outweigh the risks of neutering later when it comes to cancers of the testicle, prostate, and area around the anus.
What is the earliest a male dog can be neutered?
When to Neuter
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 is the best age to neuter a dog?
The recommended age to neuter a male dog is between six and nine months. However, some pet owners have this procedure done at four months. Smaller dogs reach puberty sooner and can often have the procedure done sooner. Larger breeds may need to wait longer in order to properly develop before being neutered.
Can you neuter your 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.
Is 3 too old to neuter a dog?
It is best for dogs and cats to be spayed/neutered before puberty which can be as early as 5 months old. We prefer 3 to 4 months old for dogs and cats: the procedure is minimally invasive at this age and patients make a quick recovery. How young is too young? The minimum requirement is 2 pounds.
What happens if you neuter a male dog too early?
Dogs who are spayed/neutered too early have an increased chance of developing undesirable behavioral issues such as phobias, fear aggression and reactivity. Early spay/neuter triples the risk of developing hypothyroidism and becoming obese.
Is 5 months too early to neuter a puppy?
Neutering at 5 months of age not only benefits patients, pet owners, and veterinarians, but it also reduces the number of presterilization litters, which drive pet overpopulation. … The rule should be neuter by 5 months of age.
Is 5 years old too old to neuter a dog?
Because we were able to catch it early, he successfully underwent a neutering procedure; the cancer has not metastasized, and several years later he still lives a very comfortable and active life. So yes, you can neuter an older dog—with a happy and healthy outcome!