When Should My Pet Be Spayed or Neutered?

What is the Right Age to Fix Your Pet?

Every year, millions of unwanted cats and dogs are dropped off at already overwhelmed shelters. Many of these are simply unable to find forever homes, and many face euthanasia.

To prevent overpopulation, improve overall animal health, and prevent needless deaths, it’s important for responsible pet parents to have any dog or cat they are not planning on breeding spayed or neutered.

In this piece, we’ll help you determine the right timing for maximizing health and behavioral benefits while minimizing the risks of complications from “fixing” your pet.

Spaying & Neutering

Often described using the gender-neutral term “fixing,” spaying and neutering refer to the surgical procedure of removing a dog’s or cat’s reproductive organs.

Spaying refers to the removal of a female pet’s ovaries and uterus, while neutering is the removal of a male animal’s testes.

Both processes prevent the animal from reproducing while removing the source of reproductive hormones.

Why Should I Spay or Neuter My Pet?

There are many benefits to fixing your dog or cat, in addition to eliminating the risk of unwanted offspring. These include:

Better behavior — Spayed and neutered pets tend to have fewer behavioral problems, including spraying and yowling. They are also less likely to roam or engage in other heat-related behaviors.

Improved health — Pets that are fixed often live longer, healthier lives than those that aren’t because they are not at risk of health conditions like testicular or ovarian cancer.

When Should I Get My Pet Spayed or Neutered?

The ideal age at which you should have your pet fixed depends on whether it’s a cat or dog, as well as a dog’s size and breed.

When to Spay or Neuter Cats

Most vets agree kittens should be fixed between the ages of four and six months old, which is before they reach sexual maturity. In some shelter settings, it is performed as early as eight weeks old.

When Small Dogs Should be Spayed or Neutered

Small breed dogs, that is, those who will be under 45 pounds when full grown, should be fixed earlier than larger dogs. Generally, vets recommend spaying females before their first heat cycle, which can occur as early as four to six months in smaller dogs. Males are usually neutered at around six months.

When Neuter or Spay Large Breed Dogs

Larger dogs grow at a slower rate than their smaller relatives. As such, it’s important to wait to spay or neuter until after their growth plates have closed. This helps reduce the risk of joint disorders and orthopedic issues later in life.

For most large breeds, this means they will be fixed at between nine and fifteen months old.

Where Can I Have My Pet Fixed?

Spaying and neutering is a responsible action by pet parents. If you adopted your furry friend from a shelter, it likely already has been fixed.

However, if your dog or cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered, this routine surgical procedure can usually be completed in any trusted veterinarian’s offices. In most cases, your pet will come home with you the same day.

Your vet will work with you to determine the risks and advantages of fixing your pet and help you find the right time.