One of the most common questions we receive here at Total Veterinary Care is, “When should I spay/neuter my pet?” As a responsible pet parents, we appreciate that you take this seriously and want to know how to best approach the procedure.
First, let’s start with why you should have your pet spayed or neutered. The most obvious reason is pet overpopulation. Every year close to 3 million animals are euthanizedin shelters across the U.S. When you take the time to spay/neuter your pet, you help to decrease the number of animals that could potentially wind up as unfortunate victims of overpopulation.
There are other benefits as well. When pets are spayed and neutered, certain health risks like mammary tumors, pyometra, prostatic hyperplasia and transmissible venereal tumors are dramatically decreased. It can also help deter hormone-induced bad behavior by heading it off at the pass, especially urine-marking in cats. Some may worry that it can cause weight gain in pets, but as long as you’re providing regular exercise and monitoring their food, this really isn’t something that should cause concern.
Now that we’ve covered why you should spay/neuter your pet, let’s discuss when. The best time to spay or neuter your pet is before they reach sexual maturity, which falls anywhere between four to six months for most cats and dogs. Not only does it prevent an accidental litter, but by doing so before this timeline, your pet benefits from the reduced risks mentioned above. The longer you wait, the likelihood of health issues increases.
If your uncertain if your pet is ready to be spayed or neutered, bring them in to Total Veterinary Care today and we’ll discuss what makes the most sense for your furry best friend.
