What Are the Pros and Cons of Neutering a 9-Month-Old Male Pug?

Dear VetBabble,

I wanted to ask you about the pros and cons of neutering my dog. I have a 9-month-old male pug and I have heard that there are more advantages than disadvantages to neutering. Can you clarify the benefits of neutering and whether it’s the right choice for my dog? Also, when is the optimal age for neutering? I appreciate any advice you’d be willing to provide.

The Advantages of Neutering Your Dog

There are indeed several great advantages to neutering your dog, and you’ve already mentioned a number of them in your question. I’ll expand on them here:

1. Prevents unwanted litters: One of the primary reasons to neuter your dog is to prevent unplanned pregnancies. This can reduce the strain on animal shelters and help control the pet population. Plus, it’s a responsible decision as a pet owner.
2. Prevents straying: Neutered dogs are less likely to roam and try to escape in search of a mate. This can reduce the risk of your dog getting into fights, getting lost, or getting hit by a car while wandering off.
3. Prevents testicular and prostate cancer: Removing the testicles eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Additionally, neutering can significantly reduce the risk of your dog developing prostate issues later in life.
4. Prevents unwanted behaviors: Neutering can help curb undesirable behaviors like marking territory, humping, and excessive barking. It may also help prevent spay urinary incontinence in dogs.
5. Helps prevent aggression and dominance issues: Neutered dogs tend to exhibit fewer aggression and dominance issues compared to their intact counterparts, which can lead to a safer environment for the dog, their human family, and other pets they encounter.

One thing to note is that the younger the dog is when neutered, the more effective the procedure is in terms of behavioral benefits. Desexing your dog around the age of your pug (9 months) is generally considered to be a good time.

The Potential Disadvantages of Neutering

While the benefits of neutering greatly outweigh the few potential disadvantages, it’s still important to be aware of them:

1. Anesthetic and surgical risks: As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with anesthesia and the surgery itself. However, neutering is a routine procedure, and complications are rare, especially when performed by a skilled veterinarian.
2. Weight gain: Some dogs might gain weight after neutering due to a decrease in sex hormone production, which can affect metabolism. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help manage this potential side effect.
3. Growth plate closure: Neutering before a puppy has finished growing can potentially lead to incomplete growth plate closure, which may affect their skeletal development. This is a less common issue, and consulting with your vet about the appropriate age to neuter your dog can help minimize this risk.

Neutering in Cats and Dogs

The benefits of neutering go beyond just dogs, as desexing cats is also quite common. Like in dogs, neutering cats can prevent unwanted litters, reduce roaming, and reduce the risk of various health issues.

In conclusion, it is generally a responsible and advantageous decision to neuter your dog. Beyond the benefits you mentioned in your question, you’ll also be contributing to the overall health and happiness of your pet. Given that your pug is 9 months old, it’s a good time to consult with your vet about desexing your dog. And if you’d like more information about pregnancy in dogs, we have an article that can help you understand the process more in-depth.

We hope this information has been helpful and wish you and your pug the best!