When should I get my dog (pitbull) neutered?

One question I get a lot from people not interested in their Pitbull reproducing is usually to know the best time for it to be neutered. Surprised right!, some people find it difficult to believe some pet owners are not interested in their pet reproducing. And it is a procedure carried out on both genders.

For medium-sized breeds like Pitbulls, a lot can be considered before deciding the best time to Neuter them but most times it is recommended to be between 6 to 12 months for males and between 9 to 12 for females except when they are on their first heat (Estrous).

synonyms for Neuter, castrate, mutilate, spay, sterilize, alter, change, desexualize, doctor, dress, fix, geld, unsex, make barren, make sexless, make impotent, make infertile.

Should I get my Pitbull Neutered?

I don’t think I can make a definite recommendation on whether to neuter your Pitbull or not, however, I can give you points to consider which will help you make a more informed and logical decision if you want to neuter your Pitbull. 

If you are here, you already know and understand very well what the term Neutering a dog means. However, for the interest of those not clear on that let’s define the term.

Neutering is a surgical procedure where the testicles of a male dog or the Ovaries and uterus of a female dog are removed. That’s it the reproductive organs are removed preventing the dog from reproducing.

Now that we understand what it means to neuter a dog, to make a better-informed decision to go ahead with it or not, we need to consider factors, including your dog’s age, breed, health, behaviour, and lifestyle.

There are benefits and concerns you should know about regarding neutering your dog. 

Benefits are:

• Reduced risk of certain types of cancers, such as testicular cancer in male dogs and uterine and ovarian cancer in female dogs.
• Reduced risk of certain health problems, such as prostate problems in male dogs and pyometra (a serious uterine infection) in female dogs.
• Reduced risk of certain behavioural problems, such as aggression, marking, and roaming.
• Control overpopulation by preventing unwanted litter.

Concerns are:

• Possible risk of surgical complications, such as infection or bleeding.
• Possible changes in behaviour or temperament, such as reduced aggression or energy levels.
• Possible changes in physical appearance, such as weight gain or changes in coat texture.

That being said, the decision to neuter your dog is best made with your vet who can tell you the benefits and drawbacks as relates to your pet based on its age, Breed, lifestyle and your desired outcome. Also depending on your country, despite surgical neutering being approved as responsible pet ownership in most countries, Some (Germany and some Scandinavian Europe) still classify it as mutilation and as a result illegal to practice. So be well to know what the law in your locality says about it before making the decision.

When should I get my Pitbull puppies Neutered?

To decide when to neuter your dog, you would have to make some considerations on things like the breed size. This is because studies have shown differences in neutering dogs before sexual maturity and after sexual maturity. 

For Male

For male Pitbulls and other bully breeds classified as medium-sized breeds, it is advised to wait till they are at least 6 months up until 12 months before neutering them. Despite some people clamouring for the neutering to be done way earlier before sexual maturity when the procedure is a bit easier and their healing factor is still very high. Allowing them some time for maturity can help their musculoskeletal system develop better and help them prevent certain orthopaedic-related health challenges and injuries in the future as well as help them avoid some types of cancers.

For Female

Usually, most medium-sized dogs (Like Pitbull) will see their first heat (Estrous) around 6 – 10 months depending on size. The period is characterised by the dripping of blood, moodiness and unnecessary attention from male dogs from very far away. It is not recommended to neuter a female dog during heat as their blood vessels are extremely fragile and there is a very high chance of them having internal bleeding. On estimate, 4 weeks after the Estrous, the blood vessels should have stabilized and it’s safer to perform the surgical procedure around that time. Like their male counterpart, it is beneficial to spay your female pitbull after maturity to have a lower risk of most Orthopedic health challenges and reduce the risk of having urinary incontinence (unintentional passing of urine) and certain cancers or malignant especially breast cancer.

What is the best age to Neutered a Pitbull?

The best age to neuter a Pitbull isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on several factors:

General Recommendations:

Veterinarian Consensus: Most veterinarians recommend neutering male Pit Bulls between 6 months and 1 year of age. This balances the benefits of early neutering (reduced aggression, lower risk of certain health issues) with proper physical and hormonal development.

Small vs. Large Breeds: For large breeds like Pit Bulls, some recent studies suggest waiting until 9-18 months might be optimal for preventing potential orthopaedic issues and certain cancers. Smaller breeds may be fine with neutering at 6-12 months.

Benefits of Neutering a Pitbull?

There are several good reasons why you should neuter your Pitbull such as:

• Reduced risk of some cancer: When a female dog is neutered, there is a significant reduction in the risk of having mammary cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. Also in male Pitbulls, neutering reduces the risk of testicular and prostate cancer as shown in many studies.
• Help increase and improve Life Span: Having your Pitbull neutered does improve its chances for a longer and healthier life span as it will eliminate chances of many illnesses and cancer infections which are mostly fatal or lead to terminal illness.
• Reduce Some unwanted behaviours: When a male pitbull is neutered, some unwanted habits like excessive aggression, urine territorial markings, too much roaming, and response to pheromones from female dogs in heat. For females, it can eliminate habits that manifest during Estrous such as  Vocalisation, restlessness and attracting males.
• Reduced risk of certain health problems: Neutering can help reduce the risk of certain health problems, such as pyometra (a serious uterine infection in female dogs) and prostate problems in male dogs.
• Population Control: Neutering dogs help control the dog population which if allowed unchecked can have many bad effects.
• Reduce grooming and mating attention and needs: If you have not experienced it on your own, you won’t know how much time, care and attention you would have to invest in a dog’s reproduction, especially for females. From cleaning those drops of blood, picking out a healthy and worthy stud, and routing vet checks, vitamins and medication administering. Handling a pregnant bitch, labour and nursing the new litre. 

How much does it cost to Neuter a Pitbull?

The cost of neutering a pitbull can vary widely depending on factors such as the dog’s age, size, and location. Some rough estimates of the average cost of neutering a dog in different parts of the world would look like this:

United States: Depending on the location, the veterinarian, and the size of the Pitbull. Prizes can range from around $50 to $250, 

United Kingdom: Depending on the location, the veterinarian, and the size of the Pitbull. Prizes can range from around £150 to £400.

Europe: In Europe, the cost of neutering a Pitbull can vary widely depending on the country and location. In general, the cost can range from around €50 to €300 or more, depending on the veterinarian and the size of the dog.

Other places: While the cost can be low in places such as India or Thailand, in others, such as Australia or Canada, it may be more expensive. It’s best to check with local veterinarians or animal welfare organizations to get an estimate of the cost in your area.

It’s important to note that in addition to the cost of the surgery itself, there may be additional fees for pre-operative tests, anaesthesia, pain medication, and follow-up care. It’s also a good idea to inquire about any available discounts or financial assistance programs, particularly if you have a low-income or rescue dog.

Neutered  Vs UnNeutered Pitbull

Always tricky to compare, however, I will make these comparisons on Physical attributes, Health attributes and behaviour. 

Physical:

Neutered Male: Less built and have a leaner body and muscular mass, Smaller head

Unneutered Male: More physically built, muscular, bigger and broader head

Neutered Females: Have a smoother and thinner coat and a smaller build than intact females.

Unneutered Females: Can easily develop rougher coats but are slightly more built.

Health:

Neutered Male: Lower risk of testicular and prostate cancer and other illness

Unneutered Male: Higher Lower risk of testicular and prostate cancer and other illness

Neutered Females: Reduced risk of developing certain cancers and reproductive health issues.

Unneutered Females: Higher risk of developing certain cancers and reproductive health issues.