What Age Should A Dog Be Spayed

Large breed dogs over 45 pounds projected adult body weight should be neutered after growth stops which usually is between 9 and 15 months of age.

What age should a dog be spayed. According to the aaha canine life stage guidelines small breed dogs under 45 pounds projected adult body weight should be neutered at six months of age or spayed prior to the first heat five to six months. A main reason veterinarians recommend a spay at six months as opposed to six weeks is concern for anesthesia. Neuter a male dog too early generally before he hits 5 months of age and he s likely to grow a little bit taller than he should for his breed and to develop less masculine musculature. Between 18 months to 2 years is probably sensible.

Very small pets can be more of a challenge in terms of temperature regulation and anesthetic safety though with today s advanced protocols we can very safely and successfully anesthetize even tiny pediatric patients. Though these procedures can be done on puppies as young as a few months old dog owners should consult with their veterinarian to determine the best age to spay or neuter their pet. Discharge or bad odor coming from the site. When should i neuter my female dog.

Whining or whimpering because of pain. Bleeding especially 36 hours or more after the procedure. Pethelpful advises watching out for the following signs. The breed of dog is less important for female dogs than for males when deciding on the age to neuter.

In previous studies on the golden retriever labrador retriever and german shepherd dog neutering before a year of age was associated with increased risks of one or more joint disorders 2 4 times. The cons of spaying or neutering early growth issues.