At Derry Animal Hospital, we recommend cat and dog neuter and spay surgeries when pets are around
6-8 months
of age. This is typically when puppies and kittens have completed their initial vaccinations. It’s important to spay dogs and cats before they have their first heat cycle and to neuter pets before they develop aggressive behaviors. Large breed dogs, however, should wait until they are at least 12 months old to undergo sterilization.
What are the Benefits of Spay/Neuter for Dogs and Cats?
There are a variety of health and behavioral benefits dogs and cats can experience as a result of their spay/neuter surgery. These benefits include:
Elimination of Heat Cycles
Going into heat can be very uncomfortable and stressful for your pet, and it can be frustrating for you, too! In-heat females are liable to attract the attention of males nearby and this can put them at risk of becoming pregnant. Spaying your dog or cat will prevent the heat cycle entirely so you won’t have to worry about any of these issues.
Improved Behavior
Another benefit of spaying and neutering dogs and cats is that it can lessen or prevent unwanted and potentially destructive hormonal behaviors. These include aggressiveness, urinating in the house, mounting, and escape attempts to go search for a mate.
Animal Homelessness and Overpopulation
Unchecked reproduction among dogs and cats leads to millions of them being homeless or ending up in shelters, where many healthy animals are in danger of being euthanized. Spaying and neutering reduces overpopulation, which in turn helps to ease the burden on shelters and allow more dogs and cats to find homes. Spaying and neutering literally saves lives!
Better Overall Health for Your Pet
Cat and dog sterilization procedures can lead to a healthier, longer life for your pet. They reduce behaviors that can put your pet in danger and reduce the risk for reproductive cancers. Some cancers, such as uterine cancer and testicular cancer, can be prevented altogether.
Pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection, and mammary cancer, can also be prevented with spay surgery.
For more information about how spay/neuter surgery can benefit your pet, contact Derry Animal Hospital today!
