will neutering a dog stunt his growth?

When it comes to neutering your male dog, you may have questions and concerns. Most dog owners fear neutering too early, too late, and how the surgery will affect the dog’s health in the future. One concern is whether the procedure hinders muscle growth in any way.

Poe is our dog of the day. Hormones play a considerable role in the way Poe’s muscles grow. However, your fears are probably larger than the reality. See, diet also plays a huge role in Poe’s development, especially when hormones are absent, as well as environment and genetics. You need to look at the complete picture before you move to the fainting couch.

Thus far, no scientific studies link neutering to muscle loss in dogs. There are, of course, exceptions, but more often than not, you have nothing about which to worry. A dog predisposed to joint problems as they age may exhibit some muscle loss, though, and your vet will inform you of this potential problem.

Before you drive yourself crazy, there is no way to know for certain whether Poe will lose muscle after being neutered. Larger breeds appear to have a more considerable loss, while smaller ones have less (if any). No matter what, if you chose to neuter, remember it will change your dog in various ways, including potential behaviors.

Having Poe neutered won’t stunt his growth. If he’s a large breed, it may affect his joints, causing longer legs. This is why many vets recommend waiting to neuter big dogs until his bone growth is stable.

As to bigness? Neutering won’t make your pet fat. Poe won’t suddenly become a lazy bum and eat everything in the house overnight! Yes, neutering slows metabolism, but a responsible dog owner observes their dog’s eating and exercise routine so they can adjust it for a healthy weight.

The risk for weight gain due to neutering is highest in the 2 years afterward. So stick to the 10% rule about treats (they should make up no more than your dog’s daily caloric intake) and look to healthier treats like carrots. This is a great rule even if Poe is not neutered.

If you neuter Poe before puberty, he may grow more than those neutered afterward. Testosterone is involved in bone growth.

Dog overpopulation is staggering, and it leads to euthanizing large numbers of canines. Neutering is one way to prevent unwanted litters. Removing the testes likewise removes the primary source of Poe’s testosterone. So, no, a dog’s testosterone won’t increase with neutering.

Thanks to the depleted hormones, any behaviors caused by testosterone (such as aggression) will likely improve after castration, especially when combined with behavior modification. This is not an overnight transformation, however. You will still have to guide Poe in appropriate responses.

If you neuter Poe before he reaches full maturity, he will still go through changes. Some appear as differences in the way he fills out compared to other unaltered dogs. Neutering him won’t eliminate his desire to breed (get him a humping bunny), and at young ages, puppies still act like puppies. They can be irrepressible, silly, uncoordinated, and stubborn, much like a teenager.

Many pet owners report that neutering improves their dog’s disposition, making them better companions, and they’re not marking the house all the time. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that all dogs, even Poe, are not created with the same mindset. If you are using neutering to combat behavioral issues, think again. It’s not the answer. You may find an intact dog who doesn’t mark, roam, or hump, for example. Just as with humans, you’ll have tendencies but many variables in between.

TIP: A reputable breeder will not do pediatric neuters unless there is a health problem that necessitates it.

Absolutely yes, neutering impacts growth plates in dogs. As Poe grows, his hormones drive the proper closing of bone growth plates. When you spay Poe before full bone growth occurs, it delays the normal closure of plates, sometimes by months. This, in turn, means Poe grows a little taller.

Nearly all owners of dogs like Poe notice some changes outwardly with their male dog after neutering, but there are things happening in his body too.

Poe can usually come home with you on the same day as his surgery. He might be a little nauseous for a day or two. Don’t try to force eating. He WILL let you know when he’s hungry again.

Early-age neutering does not stunt growth in dogs or cats (a once-held belief), but may alter metabolic rates in cats. The anaesthetic and surgical procedures are apparently safe for young puppies and kittens; morbidity is lower and recovery is faster than in adult animals.

There has been ongoing research into the potential effects of neutering and spaying large breed dogs prior to them reaching “Puberty”, around 11-12 months in males and the first “heat” or estrus in females.

A recent research paper looking at samples of around 1500 dogs per group, specifically Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, assessed the incidence of orthopedic diseases including hip and elbow dysplasia and ACL (Cruciate) injuries as well as several forms of cancer.

The results show a significant increase in the risk for orthopedic problems in both these breeds if neutered before sexual maturity. The cause of this increased risk is thought to be due to the effect that rising hormones have on long bone growth. The rise in estrogen/progesterone and testosterone with puberty in dogs induces closure of the growth plates in the long bones, stopping further growth. Dogs neutered before puberty don’t experience this rise in hormones and their long bones particularly continue to grow for a longer time resulting in greater height when growth does cease than their un-neutered counterparts.

This increased height changes the bio-mechanics of joint function and appears to cause some instability in developing joints leading to an increased incidence of orthopedic problems.

The effect on the incidence of certain cancers seems to be the most pronounced in Golden Retrievers and especially in female Golden Retrievers. The assumption is that hormones and especially estrogen have a protective effect or improve immune surveillance in decreasing cancer incidence. There appears to be no or minimal effect on increasing the risk of cancer in the Labrador Retrievers in the study.

The authors of the study also have soon to be published data on German Shepherds showing the same increased risk of orthopedic problems with neutering before puberty.

Although this research was directed at the 2 most popular dog breeds in North America we see ACL or Cruciate injuries as the most common orthopedic injury in all large and giant breed dogs.

Based on this information it is our general recommendation that clients consider delaying neutering of large breed dogs (60 – 100 lbs at maturity) until 11-12 months of age or after their first heat and giant breed dogs (100+ lbs at maturity) to 14 months or after their first heat. The study showed no difference in risk with age of neutering for smaller breeds which would include all breeds less than 40-50 lbs at maturity.