What Is the Best Age to Neuter a Pitbull? [Explained Simply]

Neutering or spaying is the procedure of removing the reproductive organs in male or female dogs.

Pit Bull owners consider this procedure because of its many benefits for the dog’s health and quality of life. However, it’s important to consult a veterinarian first about the best time to do it.

The best age to neuter a Pitbull is between 5 and 10 months old. Male Pit bulls should be neutered once they have reached puberty, whereas female Pit bulls need to be spayed after they get their first heat cycle. 

But what makes this the best age to neuter a Pitbull? What happens if you neuter them earlier or later than that? Keep reading to learn more.

What Is the Best Age to Neuter a Pitbull? 

When deciding to move forth with the neutering procedure, it is best to be fully informed about how the procedure works and, more importantly, when is the best time to do it.

As a general rule of thumb, Pit Bulls should be neutered after they reach puberty age, which is at 5 to 10 months old, because, by that time, the dog will be mature enough to tolerate being under anesthesia during the procedure.

The age at which you neuter or spay your Pit Bull is important. For instance, neutering Pit Bulls usually does calm them down, especially in the case of male Pit Bulls, so it’s usually better if you get it done as early as possible.

However, if you neuter or spay your dog too early, you will put it at risk of health problems, as it will not be able to handle the anesthesia or any complications during the procedure. On the other hand, if you wait too long when the dog is older, you will be putting it at risk of accidentally getting pregnant when it’s in heat.

Your veterinarian will help you narrow down the age window and will give you more personalized advice, so don’t forget to consult them. 

Need more advice? I have another article where I discuss the pros and cons of neutering Pit Bulls in more detail, which you might find helpful.

The Best Age to Neuter a Male Pit Bull 

Most vets will recommend that you neuter male Pit Bulls between 5 and 10 months. Many studies have found that dogs usually get the most benefit when they are fixed at this age range while also minimizing the risks of the procedure. 

This age is recommended because this is typically when male Pit bulls hit puberty. However, if your Pit Bull is small in size, there’s a chance that it will hit puberty sooner, typically around 4 months. Thus, some Pit bulls get this procedure as soon as 4 months. 

In all cases, you should always consult your veterinarian; they will know exactly what your doggo needs. 

The Best Age to Spay a Female Pit Bull

Naturally, with female Pit bulls, it’s a bit different. Waiting until your female pitbull has exceeded six months of age is recommended. The older your female dog is, the better the benefits of spaying are. 

When it comes to female Pit Bulls, some vets recommend spaying them before their first heat, while others recommend spaying them after their first heat.

Spaying your female Pit Bulls before their first heat will prevent them from getting mammary tumors.  But, if you want to spay your Pit Bull after its first heat, it’s best to wait at least 2 to 3 months after the cycle is over. You can learn more about when Pit Bulls first go into heat here.

Female dogs will no longer have their periods, aka go into heat, after the procedure, which will save you a lot of cleaning time. You will also notice that they are less stressed or irritated because the hormonal changes they undergo are not an issue anymore. 

What Happens If You Neuter A Dog Too Early?

Neutering your dog early is usually frowned upon, as it can get in the way of their development. When you fix a dog too early, you deprive them of necessary sex hormones that contribute to its maturation and growth. 

Also, as mentioned before, there are health risks if the dog is too young to handle the anesthesia or any complications occur during the procedure.

The Difference between Neutering and Spaying 

These terminologies can get confusing, I know! However, you are about to see that it is simpler than you thought. 

Neutering, also known as castration, is when a professional (for example, a veterinarian) removes your pet’s testicles. The surgery makes your dog infertile, meaning they can’t get any female dogs pregnant when they’re in heat.

Spaying, on the other hand, is when a professional removes your female dog’s uterus and ovaries, making them unable to get pregnant. This can be beneficial as unwanted pregnancy is then avoided. 

In short, neutering happens to male dogs, whereas spaying happens to female dogs. 

How to Take Good Care of Your Pit Bull After Neutering 

A dog who has been neutered or spayed needs special attention. So, let me give you some tips on how you can take care of your Pit Bull after the procedure:

Restrict their movement

Firstly, dogs don’t know better, and they most probably won’t understand that their incision is still not healed. 

After any surgery, your dog needs some rest to recover, just like humans. Keeping your dog still for most of the day is challenging, especially if your Pit Bull is energetic and playful, like most Pit Bulls. 

You can keep your dog on a leash, remove any distractions, and preferably invest in a good and comfortable crate.  

If you have children who like to run around with your dog and be the playful and joyful creatures they are, make sure they understand not to trigger your Pit Bull because they need their rest. 

Protect the wound

Do you know how it suddenly becomes very itchy and irritating when you have a wound, and you are just curious to see what’s there? Dogs feel that, too, after being neutered or spayed. 

Your Pit Bull will have the urge to scratch the area, which might cause problems. If your dog keeps scratching their wound, there will potentially be an infection, which will lengthen the recovery time. 

Some people use a cone to keep their dog from accessing the wound by licking, biting at it, or scratching it. 

It would help if you also kept an eye on the wound. Make sure it does not look red or smell bad. If it is, it is probably infected, and you should visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. 

When you go out, use a leash.

If your dog is feeling up to it enough and wants to go on a walk, they can do so. However, you need to be careful, and they still can’t be too active. 

It is better if they don’t jump around or run. The problem is that such activities would probably re-open the wound if it is not 100% healed. Again, that would lengthen the recovery time. 

Use a leash and stay in control of your cute little dog to prevent them from facing complications during their recovery time. If you’re looking to get a good, sturdy leash, check out my guide on the best leashes for Pit Bulls here.

Potential Problems After Neutering your Pit Bull 

The following might be tough to hear (or read), but your dog will be in pain after the procedure, and they may potentially face some complications. Be patient with them and monitor their recovery. Here’s what you can expect: 

Dehiscence of the surgical incision

Dehiscence is the opening of a wound followed by a lot of blood. Experts claim that dehiscence is caused by self-trauma. 

This problem is highly dependent on how the procedure is performed. Ensure that the veterinarian does not stitch the wound too tightly, as tight stitches can lead to pain and discomfort.  Consequently, your dog will try to bite or scratch it, which is also why a cone might be helpful.

Scrotal hematoma

Sounds too complicated? It’s actually pretty simple. The Scrotal is the skin around the dog’s testicles, and hematoma is the swelling of clotted blood. 

If the swelling is large enough, it will compromise blood flow. However, most of the time, Scrotal Hematoma is a mild case that solves itself with time. 

If you notice hematoma forming, use ice packs on the area and, of course, consult your veterinarian. 

Bruising

Post-procedure bruising is entirely normal because some bleeding may occur a couple of hours after the surgery. 

The tissue should be healed within 7 to 10 days. However, constant bleeding for consecutive hours is not normal and requires immediate attention. 

Infection 

Infection after neutering or spaying your dog is rare, especially if you and the veterinarian have taken all measures. 

Infection can occur for many reasons, the most common of which is your Pit Bull scratching or licking its wound. You should avoid that at all costs and make sure they keep that cone on. 

You can also cover the incision area to keep it out of your dog’s touch. 

Vomiting or diarrhea 

Anesthesia can make your dog feel woozy, which ultimately can result in vomiting and diarrhea. These are normal side effects that can occur within the first 24 hours after the procedure. 

If it continues for longer, you should pay your veterinarian another visit.  

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