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What Is the Best Age to Spay or Neuter Your Dog?

Chipman Road Animal Clinic • October 7, 2021

Spay and neuter surgeries for your dog are a good idea for many reasons. The most important reason is that they help alleviate the problem of pet overpopulation. Millions of dogs are euthanised each year at shelters and choosing to spay and neuter your pets is a way to do your part to reduce this number. But spaying and neutering pets is also good for the pet. There are a number of health benefits associated with neutering or spaying a dog.

What Are the Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Dog?

Spaying and neutering pets has many benefits for your pet, and for you as a pet owner, including:

 

  • Health benefits: A dog that has been spayed or neutered has a reduced risk of cancer and other diseases. They are also less likely to run away from your home and into danger because they are no longer looking for a mate. A spayed or neutered dog will live an average of 1 to 3 years longer than an intact pet.
  • Behavior benefits: Choosing to spay and neuter your pets can impact their behavior. Males are typically less aggressive after being neutered and can be less likely to bite. Spay and neuter also helps reduce occurrences of mounting and marking.
  • Benefits for your home: Eliminating the heat cycle in your female dog avoids the resulting mess and potential stains on your carpets and furniture. It also keeps neighboring dogs from trying to get to your pet.

When Should I Neuter My Male Dog?

The choice to spay and neuter your pets is easy once you understand the benefits. As you consider when to neuter a dog, it can be any time after he is eight weeks old, though most experts recommend 4-6 months. However, it’s never too late. If your dog is older than 12 months, he will still experience health benefits from being neutered at any age.

 

For male dogs, the neuter procedure is simple. The operation is completed under anaesthesia and takes just a few minutes. It will take up to two weeks for your dog to recover and he may need to wear a protective collar to keep him from licking his incision and causing infection.

When Should I Spay My Female Dog?

Having your female dog spayed is best done before their first heat for the greatest reduction in cancer risk. The optimal time is between 6 and 12 months old. But older dogs can still benefit from being spayed.

 

Spaying a dog involves removing her ovaries and uterus, or sometimes just her ovaries. Your veterinarian will recommend the best procedure for your dog. Spaying a dog is a little more complicated than neuter surgery for a male but is still a very safe and quick procedure. Your animal care clinic may prescribe pain meds for a few days to help with her comfort and she will have to wear a special collar to keep her from licking her incision. The recovery process should take 10-14 days.

#1 Animal Care Clinic: Chipman Road Animal Clinic

When you’re looking for a spay and neuter clinic in the Kansas City area, look no further than Chipman Road Animal. We are an animal care clinic serving Lee’s Summit and the Kansas City community with comprehensive veterinary care for your pets. Our caring veterinarians have over 70 years of combined experience and expertise. We offer affordable wellness services, vaccinations, spay and neuter surgery, and other treatments in our state-of-the-art facility. Everyone on our friendly veterinary team cares for each pet like they’re part of the family. Contact us today or visit our website to learn more!

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