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“Above all we should address your pet’s personality and your family’s lifestyle. There are many outside factors that affect spay and neuter timing, including behavior concerns, risk of accidental breeding, or participation in day care. These also play a role in the decision making process. It is also important to know that there is no ‘wrong’ time for this procedure, just information to help decide a better time frame for you and your pet..” – Dr Penn
We wish there was a hard and fast rule when spaying or neutering your pet, but there is no perfect age. Your pet’s health and breed, among other factors, determine the right time.
What’s the right age to spay or neuter my pet?
Discuss this with your veterinarian. In general:
-Cats: before 5 months
-Dogs: between 6-18 months
We’ll discuss the topic with you and come up with the best plan for you and your pet.
The benefits:
There are many reasons spaying or neutering your pet can help your pet. These include:
-Helping them live longer into their senior years.
-Lowering aggressive behaviors that provoke your pet to roam the streets looking for a mate or fight with other animals and behavioral problems at home.
-Preventing uterine infections in pets (pyometra). It’s deadly when not found or treated immediately.
-Reducing the likelihood of female dogs from developing diabetes.
-Lowering the risk of prostate cancer in male dogs.
-Lowering the risk of prostatitis in male dogs.
-Reducing or eliminating cancers such as mammary, ovarian, testicular, skin tumors.
-Making cats less likely to contract feline leukemia virus (FeLV),
What Are Common Myths about Spaying/Neutering Your Pet?
There are lots of varying opinions that come with spaying/neutering pets. Some common myths:
-Increases aggression
-Makes pets fat
-Will change your pet’s personality
Overall:
Spaying or neutering your pet is a safe procedure that has been practiced for years with minimal risk of complications.
In the end, it’s a personal choice that should be made with lots of thought, research, and consulting with a veterinarian.
Are you ready to discuss a plan for your pet’s spay/neuter? Give us a call!