We recommend spaying and neutering pets AS EARLY AS
6-8 MONTHS OLD
once they've finished their puppy or kitten shots. This is because female dogs and cats can begin their heat cycles as early as seven months old, and males may start developing aggressive behaviors. Large breed dogs, in most cases, usually need to wait until 12 months of age so they can finish growing. We'll help you choose the best timeframe for your pet's spay/neuter surgery.
Spaying and neutering can be quite beneficial to your four-legged family member. Some notable benefits to your pet’s health and behavior include:
Elimination of Heat Cycles
When your female dog or cat goes into heat, they can become highly uncomfortable, and will likely attract attention from male dogs and cats in the area. Spaying eliminates heat cycles, making your pet much more comfortable.
Behavior
An important benefit of neutering your male cat or dog is that it reduces aggressive, destructive, and territorial behaviors such as urine spraying, mounting, and roaming.
Overpopulation and Homelessness
There are approximately 6.5 million dogs and cats in shelters, and about 1.5 million of these animals are euthanized each year. Making the decision to spay and neuter can help reduce overpopulation in shelters, which in turn can save the lives of countless animals.
Healthier Pets
Pets that are “fixed” can potentially live longer, since spaying and neutering may reduce an animal's risk for reproductive cancer. Spay and neuter surgeries can also prevent conditions such as pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection in females, and prostate issues in males. At Hudson Animal Hospital, we wouldn't recommend spaying and neutering if we did not believe it could benefit your pet in many important ways. We are invested in keeping your loved one healthy and happy for as long as possible, and spaying/neutering them is a key factor in that goal.
