Have you heard the term “early neuter” and wondered what it means? Do you question whether it’s a good idea for your dog? Early neutering traditionally meant having surgery to prevent reproduction in male or female pets before six months of age. More veterinarians are performing neuters earlier for several reasons, including being sure to have the surgery before the first heat, having fewer surgical complications and quicker recoveries. The first heat can be at or before four months in small breeds of dogs, and does not occur at an exact age in any animal.

The veterinary community now widely accepts “early neuter” to mean “pediatric neuter.” This implies having the surgery at six to eight weeks of age, with the animal weighing at least two pounds¹. Pediatric neuter has become the best way to deal with overpopulation in shelters. Concerns veterinarians used to have, such as anesthetic and surgical risk, are now minor, thanks to safer anesthetic drugs and more available information regarding pediatric surgery.

The decision whether to have your pet neutered is a complicated one that opens up another discussion. This article addresses only pediatric vs. regular age at neutering. There are a few negatives associated with pediatric neuter. The main three are:

Female Dogs’ Increased Risk of Incontinence:

All spayed female dogs have a 4.9-20% risk of incontinence. One study shows a possible increased risk if these dogs are spayed before 3 months of age². More research must be done to determine the real risk. Female incontinence due to spaying is treated with medication and usually responds well to treatment.

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