The Risks of Castration in Dogs Too Early in Life
Doggy Day Care at the Willows
At Doggy Daycare at the Willows, we’re aware that some of our customers are receiving mixed advice from the vets on spaying and castration. There are risks of castrating dogs too early in life. So, we decided to share our knowledge on this subject to help you understand some of the issues.
Why do dogs need to be fully grown before castration?
Dogs shouldn’t be spayed or castrated until they are fully grown because it can affect their growth and development, as well as causing health problems. When it comes to dogs being spayed or castrated, the recommended age varies depending on the size of the dog.
We usually advise that smaller breeds should be at least 12 months old and larger breeds should be 24 months old. However, it’s always best to check with your vet to ensure your canine companion is fully grown before going ahead with any procedure.
What happens if you neuter a male dog too early?
There are a number of problems that can arise in either a male or female dog if they are neutered too young. These include joint issues, hip dysplasia, and a loss of confidence due to either testosterone or oestrogen being taken away.
When a dog is surgically castrated too soon in life, it can affect the growth and development of their hip bones and joints. This can lead to hip instability and abnormal wear, which could affect the dog in later life, resulting in pain, discomfort and arthritis. Early neutering can cause hip dysplasia, which is a very painful condition. It can also cause ligament tears.
Chemical castration vs surgical castration for dogs
It’s advisable for male dogs to have chemical castration first, instead of full castration, which is done through surgery. The main benefit of chemical castration is that it doesn’t affect a dog’s growth, and your furry friend can continue to grow and develop. This is also a good test to see if there are any negative side effects before going ahead with full castration.
Chemical castration can be removed if there are any issues, or you can just decide not to have it done again if there are any problems. Also, chemical castration lasts either six or 12 months, but this is a good temporary method before going ahead with anything more permanent. Once a dog has been surgically castrated, they will be unable to breed.
What happens if a dog doesn’t get neutered
Many people are unaware of the various benefits for dogs to be neutered. From a health perspective, uncastrated male dogs are more prone to prostrate issues in later life, such as cancer. Studies show that castrated dogs usually have a longer lifespan too, are less aggressive, and are at less risk of certain diseases. They are also less likely to display humping behaviours or stray when they pick up the scent of a female dog in season.
For more information on dog neutering, see our blog The Importance of Castration and Spaying.
What happens if a dog doesn’t get neutered
When done at the right age neutering has various benefits for a dog’s health, behaviour, lifespan, and for the wider world. With an ever-increasing number of dogs ending up in local rescue centres or being put down, neutering reduces unwanted litters.
At Doggy Daycare at the Willows, we believe strongly in the importance of castration and spaying. It’s worth remembering there are always pregnancy risks for female dogs and her pups too. If you need vet recommendations, please contact us.
Want to find out about our doggy day care centres? Get in touch for a chat with our friendly team.
Thank you for reading our latest blog, The Risks of Castration in Dogs Too Early in Life.
Sources:
(Lisette’s supplied information)
https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/three-reasons-to-reconsider-spayneuter/
https://www.pet-medcenter.com/patient-resources/health-topics/hip-dysplasia