One aspect of responsible pet ownership is having your dog spayed or neutered. Not only are you helping to control pet overpopulation, spaying and neutering can help completely eliminate or significantly reduce the risk of a dog developing certain health and behaviour issues.
What does neutering/spaying do to a dog?
Neutering is the removal of the testicles in a male dog. Spaying is the removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female dog.
How old should a dog be before they are neutered/spayed?
Dogs should be around six months old before they are spayed or neutered. Under certain circumstances, they can be done at a younger age. We do recommend females to be spayed at 6 months of age. For male dogs, some people prefer to wait until they are fully grown, at around 18 months of age before they are neutered. This will sometimes give them a more “male” appearance or prevent some joint issues later in life. However, if at any point, your male dog starts displaying undesirable behavioural attributes, we would not recommend waiting to have it done! It is also best to not spay your female dog while they are in heat, or within 2 months of a heat to allow the uterus to return back to its normal size.
How much does it cost to neuter/spay a dog?
The price will vary based on the gender and weight of your dog and sometimes whether or not they have had puppies or are overweight. There are also some elective procedures you may wish to have done at the same time as their surgery which will affect the price. Feel free to call our office and we can give you a more accurate estimate tailored to your pet’s needs.
