The Quietly Changing Consensus on Neutering Dogs
A growing body of research has documented the health risks of getting certain breeds fixed early—so why aren’t shelters changing their policies?
TL;DR
- Decades-old practice of early spaying and neutering for dogs is being questioned due to new research.
- Studies indicate links between early sterilization and increased risks of obesity, joint disorders, certain cancers, and urinary incontinence, with risks varying by breed, sex, and age at sterilization.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) now suggests that there is no single recommendation suitable for all dogs.
- Despite emerging research, many animal shelters still mandate or require sterilization prior to adoption, often without informing adopters of potential risks.
- Animal welfare groups emphasize the need for population control as the primary reason for early sterilization policies.
- Research on breeds like golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds has shown elevated risks of joint disorders and, in some cases, cancers associated with early spaying/neutering.
- Obesity is a significant concern, with a link between hormonal changes from sterilization and increased appetite/slower metabolism.
- Some European countries, like Norway, discourage spaying and neutering and have fewer stray dogs.
- The decision of when to spay or neuter should ideally be a case-by-case assessment, considering breed, sex, and individual circumstances.