Spaying and neutering are essential procedures for pet owners who want to contribute to reducing overpopulation and promoting the health and well-being of their animals. These surgeries, which involve removing reproductive organs, are common for both cats and dogs. In this section, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about spaying and neutering. Whether you’re considering the procedure for your pet or simply want to learn more, this guide will provide you with helpful information on the benefits, process, recovery, and potential concerns surrounding these important practices.
The most obvious way to prevent mating is to keep your female pet confined during its fertile periods. 100% confinement is extremely difficult for males. Females may become pregnant only during their estrus or “heat” periods. These cycles usually occur twice a year in dogs and at least 2 or 3 times a year in cats. Many cats go into “heat” as often as once every 2 or 3 weeks during certain times of the year. Because they are capable of mating so often, confinement is not particularly convenient for pet owners. It also does nothing to eliminate accompanying problems, such as spotting, spraying, or susceptibility to uterine infection and breast cancer. Veterinary medical scientists are currently working to develop a pill or other convenient method of birth control, but such nonsurgical methods are not currently available in the United States. At present, other than confining your pet, the best way to keep your pet from mating is to have it surgically spayed or neutered.
Spaying a female cat or dog helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer. Spaying an animal before her first heat will provide the best defense against these conditions. If done before 6 months of age, neutering a male cat or dog will prevent testicular cancer.
Spaying and neutering pets may help reduce the problem of unwanted dogs and cats, but surgery alone is not enough. Stray animals are a large part of the problem because these animals give birth to unwanted puppies and kittens at an alarming rate. Many communities have greatly reduced their over-populations by enforcing existing animal laws. Other communities have found they needed to pass more stringent laws and enforce them more rigidly. Making sure that your pet doesn’t contribute to the problem of unwanted offspring is an important part of that responsibility.
The cost for dogs starts at $150 and cats $100. As a nonprofit we work hard to secure grant funding to offer even further discounts on spay/neuter so be sure to check our spay/neuter service pages for the most up-to-date pricing.
During the surgery, your pet is given general anesthesia and will not feel any pain during the procedure. There will be some discomfort after the surgery, but this is normal. You will receive post-op instructions from our medical team on how to keep your pet comfortable and what to look for.
As early as possible. An unwanted litter is possible as soon as your pet becomes sexually mature. Most veterinarians recommend that females be spayed before their first estrus or “heat” period to maximize the procedure’s cancer-sparing benefits.
Removing the ovaries or testicles does affect metabolism. For this reason, spayed or neutered pets will tend to put on weight more easily if permitted to overeat. The diet of every cat and dog should be carefully regulated to prevent him/her from becoming overweight.
