Is it too late to neuter our dog?

Question

My dog is almost 9 months old and he has not been fixed.....at first my husband said he didn't want to do it, but now he has changed his mind....but is it too late? I know that it is pysically possible...but is it going to be harder on him since he is older now? My husband says it will help with agression...but I say that it won't make a difference now. I guess it could help with testicular cancer prevention....what do you think?

Answer 1

Nope, it's not too late to neuter your dog. Most dogs are neutered between the ages of 5 - 8 months.

Shelters neuter them earlier if possible as a way to make them more adoptable (saves the new owner from having to do it and the shelter is positive that the animal has been neutered if they have it done first).

It can make a difference with aggression, it will calm him down. And it is good to get animals spayed and neutered because of the different types of cancers they can get.

Answer 2

It's definitely NOT too late. If he were 9 YEARS, it might be risky... but 9 months... a LOT of people wait longer to have their dogs fixed (then wind up wondering where all the puppies came from!).

At 9 months, you can still expect it to help with aggression, mounting behavior, territorial marking, etc. Even if he's starting to have problems with that stuff... it will get WORSE if he's not fixed. He's still a baby. The teenage years (1-3 or so, in dogs) are the real "forming" years where he's developing his habits, good and bad. Even adult dogs see some reduction in aggression and territorial behavior.

Don't expect miracles right away though. I had my pug fixed at 11mo (when I got him) and the vet said it can take up to a YEAR for all the hormones to leave his body.

Anyway, long story short (lol), yes, it's FINE to have him fixed now. Please do. There are WAYYYYYY too many homeless dogs in this world... we don't need any more.

Answer 3

No, it's not too late, and the sooner the better. I say this because of the dog population being out of control. The advantage to this, is your dog is less likely to wander the neighborhood when there is a female in season. And he'll mind a lot better. However, remember that once you have him neutered, you'll have to change his diet a little, just don't give him large portions of food. And you are right, having him neurtered,will absolutly reduce his chances of cancer. Good luck.

Answer 4

It's never too late and yes! it will help with aggression. It will also help with possible prostate problems, marking, roaming, etc.

Call and make your appointment ASAP, the sooner, the better. Many vets allow the dog to go home the same day as the neuter, depending on the dogs size, surgery time, and how the recovery process goes.

Good choice! AMEN!

Answer 5

There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog’s life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere w/defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.

The only behavior changes that are observed after neutering relate to behaviors influenced by male hormones. Playfulness, friendliness, and socialization with humans are not changed. The behaviors that change are far less desirable. The interest in roaming is eliminated in 90% of neutered dogs. Aggressive behavior against other male dogs is eliminated in 60% of neutered dogs. Urine marking is eliminated in 50% of neutered male dogs. Inappropriate mounting is eliminated in 70% of neutered dogs

Answer 6

No, it isn't too late at all. You can have a healthy dog neutered at any age. It will help some with aggression also, your husband is right....this time. : ) They usually will not neuter a dog less than 6 months old, and yours is only 3 months more than that. I had my chihuahua neutered at over a year old, and he had no problem with the procedure or the recovery. It calmed him down as well.

Answer 7

Some experts don't even recommend that you neuter until 12 months of age.
Having a 9 month old is like having a 9 yr old child. He's still very young. In rescue, we neuter even 8 yr olds.
If you are having an aggression issue, I would advise a dog trainer in addition to neutering. Cutting off his hormone supply doesn't affect his thinking.

Answer 8

It's not too late at all. One of my dogs were neutered at approx. 8yrs old. He's fine without them. He wasn't agressive to begin with, so I can't comment on that. He ended up with a small growth on his rear end, and my vet said that was common on older male dogs that weren't fixed. That's what made us get it done. My other adopted dog was approx. a year old when we got him, and before we brought him home the shelter neutered him. And again, he's fine. I've also heard of implants that can be put in after a dog is neutered, it's makes them feel like manly dogs again. :) I wouldn't do that though.

Answer 9

It will be a plus for both aggression and testicular cancer. And as far as I know there is no age limit when a vet would not preform this surgery. Certainly 9 months isn't to late. He's still a puppy until he reaches one year.

Answer 10

Male dogs can be neutered at any time. We neutered a dog at the age of 3 after he disappeared for 3 days & was found (he didn't come back) suffering from infected puncture wounds. We fixed him & he never strayed away again thank heavens.