Spaying and neutering come with many behavioral and medical benefits for dogs. Here, our White Settlement vets explain when you should get your dog or puppy spayed or neutered, and how it's 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.
What is spaying?
Spaying is the sterilization of female animals by removing their reproductive organs.
What is neutering?
Neutering is the sterilization of male animals by removing the testes.
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 spray urine around the house to mark their territory. Males who have been neutered may be less likely to mount other dogs, people, or inanimate objects. Aggressive behavior can also be avoided by neutering dogs at a young age.
Cost
Because the cost of spaying or neutering your dog is significantly less than the cost of having and caring for a litter of puppies, spaying or neutering your dog can save you money and time in the long run.
Less Pet Overpopulation
There would be fewer dogs wasting away in shelters if all pet owners spayed and neutered their dogs. This reduction would result in fewer animals on the streets as well as fewer euthanizations.