Why Spay or Neuter Your Puppy?

Surgically neutering both female and male dogs prevents pregnancy, the heat cycle, and unwanted litters.  It can also improve the health and lifespan of both males and females. The surgery to remove the reproductive organs is called ovariohysterectomy ("spay") in females, and castration ("neuter") in males.

Spaying prevents many problems in female dogs.  Besides pregnancy and false pregnancy, breast tumors are often seen in non-spayed females.  A female spayed before her first heat cycle has a less than 1% chance of developing breast tumors, whereas one spayed immediately after her first heat cycle has a 25% chance of developing breast tumors. The potential for breast tumors increases with age in the non-spayed female. About half of non-spayed dogs will develop breast cancer.

Infections of the uterus (called "pyometra") are increasingly common in older non-spayed females, and these infections are life threatening.  The potential for uterine infection is completely eliminated by spaying.  The threat of uterine and ovarian cancer is also prevalent in older un-spayed female dogs.  By spaying or neutering your puppy, you also eliminate the dangers of mastitis, ovarian cysts, miscarriage, the complications of delivery and injuries related to breeding.

Change in behavior and personality occur during heat cycles.  Females can become nervous, irritable, and vocal during their cycle.  Some animals even become aggressive towards strangers as well as the owner.  With their keen sense of smell, male dogs can detect a female in heat from great distances.  He can become nervous, irritable, aggressive or become less responsive to you.  If allowed outside he will try to get to the female in heat.  For this reason, his chance for injury due to car accidents or fighting increases.  Males will mark their territory by urinating on different objects, even indoors, despite proper training.

Intact males can also develop physical problems.  Over half of all intact male dogs at some point in their life will suffer from enlarged prostate glands that cause pain, constipation, and difficult urination.  Neutering will reduce the size of the gland and prevent future enlargements.  Serious injuries may occur, such as abscesses, due to inter-male fighting. 

You should spay female puppies before their first heat cycle, at around 6 months of age. Male neutering should also be done at 6 months of age just before they reach sexual maturity. Older animals can undergo the surgery provided they are in good health and current on their vaccinations.  Your dog will have a comprehensive physical exam before surgery and you will be given the option of blood tests to evaluate their organ function to ensure good health.

One concern about neutering is that dogs become obese after surgery.  Because the body now requires fewer calories for energy, for the purpose of reproduction, the food consumption should be reduced by approximately 10 %.  Cut down on meals, extra "treats" and allow time for walks and other exercise.

As long as you do not plan to breed your dog, neutering is one of the most caring actions you can take as a pet owner!