27 November 2020

Benefits and risks of neutering pets – what is the evidence – Age at neutering

spotlight topic: Benefits and risks of neutering pets – what is the evidence? Age at neutering Published 26 November 2020 | Updated 22 November 2024 In recent years there has been a move towards routine neutering at a younger age. However, this move has generated concerns and a significant number of publications to discuss the optimum age for neutering. Links to a selection of these are provided below:

DeForge, T.L. et al. (2024) Age of neutering contributes to risk of cruciate ligament rupture in Labrador Retrievers. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.06.0406
Moxon, R. et al. (2024) Effect of neutering timing in relation to puberty on health in the female dog–a scoping review. PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0311779
Arnason, L.A. et al. (2024) Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for German Short/Wirehaired Pointer, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Siberian Husky: associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1322276
Hart, L.A., Hart, B.L. and Thigpen, B.S. (2023) Decision-making on recommended age of spay/neuter for a specific dog: general principles and cultural complexities. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 53 (5), pp. 1209-1221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.05.005
Kustritz, M.V.R. (2007) Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 231 (11), pp. 1665-1675. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.231.11.1665
Moxon, R. et al. (2023) A prospective cohort study investigating the impact of neutering bitches prepubertally or post-pubertally on physical development. Animals, 13 (9),1431. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13091431
Kustritz, M.V.R. (2014) Pros, cons, and techniques of pediatric neutering. Veterinary Clinic of North America: Small Animal Practice, 44 (2), pp. 221-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2013.10.002
Howe, L.M. (2015) Current perspectives on the optimal age to spay/castrate dogs and cats. Veterinary Medicine: Research and Reports, 6, p. 171. https://doi.org/10.2147/VMRR.S53264
Griffin, B et al. (2016) The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ 2016 veterinary medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 249 (2), pp. 165-188. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.249.2.165

Paediatric neutering of cats In cats the primary driver for early age neutering is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However early age neutering has also raised concerns about the safety of the procedure in very young animals, the most appropriate techniques to use and the nursing care that will be required.

Spain, C.V., Scarlett, J.M. and Houpt, K.A. (2004) Long-term risks and benefits of early-age gonadectomy in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 224 (3), pp. 372-379 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2004.224.372
Joyce, A. and Yates, D. (2011) Help stop teenage pregnancy! Early-age neutering in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 13 (1), pp. 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2010.11.005
Maniaki, E. et al. (2021) Associations between early neutering, obesity, outdoor access, trauma and feline degenerative joint disease, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X21991456
Porters, N. et al (2014) Prepubertal gonadectomy in cats: different surgical techniques and comparison with gonadectomy at traditional age. Veterinary Record, 175 (9), p. 223. https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.102337
Porters, N. (2015) Prepubertal gonadectomy in cats: different injectable anaesthetic combinations and comparison with gonadectomy at traditional age. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 17 (6), pp. 458-467. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X14546919
Clancy, N. (2016) Early neutering in cats with the use of the quad anaesthetic protocol. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 31 (3), pp. 76-79. https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2015.1129920
Polson, S., Taylor, P.M. and Yates, D. (2014) Effects of age and reproductive status on postoperative pain after routine ovariohysterectomy in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 16 (2), pp. 170-176. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X13503651
Gower, L. (2017) Pre-pubertal feline neutering: the role of the veterinary nurse in owner education. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 32 (7), pp. 194-200 https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2017.1321331. An inFOCUS summary of this article is available
Early neutering principles

Factors affecting decision making for age of neutering in dogs In dogs, decisions about the optimum time for neutering are complicated by the range of different sizes and breeds and the variation in disease risk for some conditions which may be affected by neuter status. The following papers give some general guidance regarding the optimum age for neutering but for details of the risks associated with specific conditions please see the sections on the effect of neutering on disease risk.

Yates, D. and Leedham, R. (2019) Prepubertal neutering of dogs—some risks and benefits. Companion Animal, 24 (1), pp. 38-42. https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2019.24.1.38
Hart, B.L. et al. (2020) Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for mixed breed dogs of five weight categories: associated joint disorders and cancers. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, p. 472. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00472
Hart, B.L. et al. (2020) Assisting decision-making on age of neutering for 35 breeds of dogs: associated joint disorders, cancers, and urinary incontinence. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, p. 388. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388