Spaying and neutering come with many behavioral and medical benefits for dogs. Here, veterinarians explain when you should get your dog or puppy spayed or neutered, and how having them fixed is beneficial.
When should I spay or neuter my dog?
While the most common age for spaying or neutering in dogs is six to nine months, spaying and neutering can be done in younger and older animals safely, as long as they're healthy.
Early spaying of female dogs and cats can help protect them from some serious health problems later in life such as various types of cancer. Having your male dog neutered can also lessen its risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate gland) and testicular cancer.
Having this procedure performed on your dog will have no effect on a pet’s intelligence or ability to learn, play, work or hunt. In fact, it is common for some pets to be better behaved following surgical removal of their ovaries or testes, making them more desirable companions.
What is spaying?
Spaying is the sterilization of female animals through the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus from a female dog. This makes her unable to reproduce and eliminates her heat cycle and breeding instinct-related behavior.
What is neutering?
Neutering is the sterilization of male animals by removing the testes from a male dog. This makes him unable to reproduce and reduces or eliminates male breeding behaviors.
What are the benefits of spaying and neutering?
Spaying
Spaying helps prevent medical problems like uterine infections and breast tumors. Spaying your dog before her first heat cycle provides the best protection from these diseases.
Another benefit is that your spayed female dog won't go into heat. Heat cycles can vary, but female dogs usually go into heat every six months, and it lasts between 2 - 4 weeks. During this time, she will excrete a bloody vaginal discharge and may seem clingy or jumpy and on edge.
Neutering
Neutering your male dog can help prevent testicular cancer and certain prostate problems. Neutered male dogs are less likely to roam or try to escape from home, which in turn minimizes their risk of injury in traffic and fights with other dogs.
Unneutered males are more likely to mark their territory by spraying urine around the house. Neutered males may be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects. Aggressive behavior may be avoided by neutering dogs early in life, too.
Cost
Spaying or neutering your dog can save you money and time in the long run, because the cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is considerably less than the cost of having and caring for a litter of puppies.
Reducing Pet Overpopulation
If all pet owners spayed and neutered their dogs, there would be fewer dogs in shelters, on the streets, and fewer euthanizations, too. Therefore it is incredibly important to do your part and have your pet spayed or neutered.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.