The outdated recommendation of having your puppy spayed or neutered in between 4-6 months of age is finally being rethought.

Veterinarians have been speaking out on the subject for years, as they understood the prior reasoning was false.

It used to be believed that having your dog spayed or neutered earlier would prevent specific cancers; however, research has shown this isn’t true. These cancers are found more often in specific breeds no matter what age the surgery takes place.

The real reason for taking a puppy in for this surgery was to control the animal population, which isn't all bad, as it should not be a shelter’s job to euthanize dozens of unwanted dogs a day.

Your dog should absolutely still be spayed or neutered to help prevent unexpected pregnancies, but the research says that delaying the surgery has many benefits.

Benefits of Delayed Spay and Neutering

Talk with your vet about your dog's specific breed and the perfect timing to perform the surgery, but remember to do your own research as well. Waiting until your dog’s 1st birthday (and after puberty) gives your dog a longer timeline and exposure to important hormones needed for proper growth and development.

Growth

Studies show that as puberty begins, an increase in estrogen is released, triggering maturation of the skeletal system. More specifically, estrogen is responsible for the steady closing of growth plates, keeping your dog at the size he or she was meant to be to lead a healthy life.

By removing the ovaries or testicles prior to puberty, your dog’s bones are not properly told slowly stop growing. This means that they continue to grow larger than they were meant to before maturing, causing future health problems including stressed and torn ligaments.

Hypothyroid

Research now shows that early spaying or neutering increases the chances of hypothyroid. This can lead to heart problems, obesity, hair loss, skin rashes, and high cholesterol. Blood work would need to be done regularly to keep your dog safe.

Cancer

Bone cancer has been linked to the age of getting spayed or neutered. Dogs who go through the procedure prior to a year of age are at a greater risk of contracting bone cancer later in life. This seemed to be especially true in larger breeds.

Prostate cancer has now been shown to have no correlation to neutering, as it was once believed that the procedure reduced the risks of having this cancer. The thought is that prostate cancer may not be related to the hormones released by the testicles.

Make sure you weigh your pros and cons before committing to putting your dog under for this surgery. The ultimate decision is yours to make, and if you are not comfortable dealing with the changes that puberty brings, you may choose to spay or neuter earlier. Research and understand your options and do the best for you and your pet!