When to Neuter or Spay Your Goldendoodle: 6 Steps to Follow

Are you lucky enough to adopt a Goldendoodle puppy? These beautiful animals make great family pets. If you’re bringing a puppy into your home, you may be wondering when you should spay or neuter a Goldendoodle. 

This procedure is not only available at just about any vet, it’s a great way to prevent unintentional puppies! Most humane societies and shelters spay and neuter any animal that walks through their doors. 

If the task is on you, here’s a helpful guide to make the process easy! 

What Is Spaying and Neutering a Dog?

Spaying is an incredibly common procedure called an ovariohysterectomy. As the name suggests, this procedure is for female pups. The veterinarian removes the dog’s ovaries and uterus. 

Depending on where you bring your pooch for the operation, it may be done laparoscopically or by the surgery making small incisions by hand. Some veterinarians choose to do an ovariectomy, which just involves the removal of the ovaries, leaving the uterus in place. 

Male dogs get neutered. This is a procedure commonly known as castration. The vet will remove the dog’s testes. Again, this is relatively invasive and each vet may have preferred methods for surgery. 

Why Should You Spay or Neuter a Goldendoodle?

There are several benefits and reasons why you’ll want to spay or neuter a Goldendoodle. These beautiful pups can live a long and happy life with the right care. This procedure can reduce the chance of certain cancers such as testicular or ovarian. 

Another thing spaying and neutering your dog does is change the amount of hormonal behaviors. When they’re ready to breed, dogs can go wild and even break out of your home. This can lead to your dog running away to mate with another dog. 

When they’re spayed or neutered, they no longer display such a strong desire that leads them to these behaviors. When a male goldendoodle isn’t neutered, he will mark his territory with his urine. If you don’t want your male dog peeing all over your home, neutering should help. 

There is an abundance of dogs on the streets and in shelters across the country. By having your pooch spayed or neutered, you can prevent the overpopulation of dogs. 

When Should I Have My Goldendoodle Spayed or Neutered?

You may be wondering what age your pooch should be to have them spayed or neutered. If you have an adult Goldendoodle, it’s ideal to get it done as soon as possible. If you have a puppy, the standard age is six months. 

You want your dog to go through puberty before they can get this procedure done. When it comes to spaying a small breed female, you’ll want to wait until they are around six months old. For larger breeds, spaying should be done when their growth stops at around 15 months.

For neutering a small breed dog that weighs 45 pounds or less fully grown, six months is ideal. Larger breeds should be neutered when they stop growing between nine and 15 months old. 

Of course, it’s best to talk with your veterinarian to see what’s right for your furry friend! 

Cost of Spaying or Neutering a Goldendoodle

The price of getting one of these procedures done can vary depending on your vet’s location. It’s typically a few hundred dollars. If you have a public agency near you, you might find it as low as $50.

For those living in larger cities, spaying or neutering your Goldendoodle can cost between $200 and $500! If you have pet insurance, you may be wondering if these procedures are covered.

While it depends on the provider, the vast majority of them do not include spaying and neutering as part of their coverage. It’s technically an elective surgery that may be covered under plans with broader terms. 

Reach out to your plan provider to get specific information about potential reimbursement. 

Recovering After Spaying or Neutering

As a good pet parent, you want to make sure you know what to expect in terms of recovery before the surgery takes place. Generally speaking, spaying and neutering procedures are easy to recover from. 

Goldendoodles need about two weeks with more downtime and less intense exercise. Your vet will likely let you know that you should avoid giving them baths after surgery. A pet should never be left alone after surgery. In fact, you should closely monitor them and schedule a follow-up exam to have any stitches removed. 

Lastly, feel free to ask your vet any questions you may have. It’s normal to be concerned about your furry friend. You can inquire about how much rest your pooch should get, any potential changes in behavior, and dietary adjustments post-op.