We recommend spaying and neutering pets AS EARLY AS
6-8 MONTHS OLD
once they have fully undergone their puppy or kitten vaccinations. The primary reason you should have your pet spayed or neutered early on is that female dogs and cats can begin their heat cycles as early as seven months and males can develop aggressive behaviors during puppyhood or kittenhood. Large breed dogs, in most cases, are recommended to wait until 12 months of age.
Spaying and neutering your pets comes with a myriad of health and behavioral benefits that allow them to live longer, happier lives. Some of the benefits of spaying and neutering your pets include:
Elimination of Heat Cycles
When a female dog or cat goes into heat, they can become highly uncomfortable, will seek attention and will likely attract attention from male dogs and cats in the area. Spaying eliminates heat cycles, making your pet more comfortable.
Behavior
For many pet owners, a major benefit of neutering their male cat or dog is that it reduces aggressive, destructive and territorial behaviors such as 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 your pets prevents overpopulation in shelters, saving the lives of animals in shelters.
Healthier Pets
Pets that are “fixed” live longer than those who aren't. This finding could be related to pets’ strong urge to roam when they are not “fixed,” putting them at high risk of being hit by a car and getting in fights with other animals. What’s more, altering pets greatly reduces their risks of certain cancers and disease. For females, pyometra, a fatal uterine infection, and mammary cancer can be prevented with spaying. For males, neutering prevents enlargement and infection of the prostate gland, and is the curative treatment for testicular cancer.
