When Should You Spay or Neuter Your Dog

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If you recently adopted a dog from a rescue or a shelter, your pet is most likely already spayed or neutered. But if you've just brought home a puppy, you may be unsure whether to spay or neuter them.

We'll cover the best age to spay or neuter your dog, the advantages of doing so, and where to go.

What is spaying and neutering?

Spaying and neutering are the surgical processes of removing the animal's reproductive organs to prevent them from having babies. Spaying is performed on female dogs, and neutering is performed on male dogs.

Spaying and neutering dogs has many advantages. In addition to curbing the excess pup population in the U.S., getting your pet "fixed" can also prolong their life. It also makes males less likely to mark their territory and prevents heat cycles in females.

What is the best age to spay or neuter a dog?

The best age to neuter a small (male) dog is when they are around 6 months old. For small female puppies, spaying is recommended when they are 5 to 6 months old, or before their first heat.

For large-breed dogs, it's recommended you wait until they've stopped growing. Large-breed male dogs can wait until they are 9 to 15 months old to get neutered. Large female dogs can be spayed when they're 5 to 15 months old.

Small-breed dogs weigh less than 45 lbs as an adult. Large-breed dogs weigh more than 45 lbs as an adult.

Your dog's veterinarian can help you understand what's best for your dog.

Is there an age when it's too late to spay or neuter a dog?

There is no age limit to spay or neuter a dog, so long as the animal is healthy.

"Because spay or neuter is a surgery, it requires general anesthesia," said Erin Katribe, DVM, medical director at Best Friends Animal Society. "There is a small risk associated with any anesthesia, though that risk is very low in an otherwise healthy animal."

Can you spay a dog in heat?

There's a bit more risk to spaying a dog in heat. But the procedure is widely performed and generally considered safe. However, the surgery may take longer and require extra precision with surgical instruments.

Some veterinarians don't feel comfortable spaying a dog in heat, so check with your veterinarian before scheduling.

Where can you have your dog spayed or neutered?

To get your dog spayed or neutered, you have a few options available in different price ranges.

A local veterinarian practice

Your general private-practice veterinarian can perform spay/neuter surgery when your dog is the appropriate age. The procedure can cost anywhere from $129 to $590 for females and $99 to $489 for males, depending on age and weight.

But keep in mind your pet will likely also need bloodwork before surgery to make sure they can safely undergo anesthesia. And in some cases, the cost of anesthesia will be billed separately from the surgery itself.

A low-cost clinic

Spay/neuter clinics and local shelters may offer the service at a lower cost.

"Some require income qualification. Others do not and are open to anyone needing services," said Katribe.

Low-cost spay, neuter, and vaccine clinics may charge $10 for a spay or neuter. Nonprofit clinics often charge around $65 to spay or neuter.

Free spay/neuter services

Many rescues and shelters offer the option of spaying/neutering the animal before finalizing your adoption. Even if you bring your adopted pet home prior to surgery, your shelter/rescue may foot the bill if you take your pet to a low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Your local SPCA/Humane Society also offers spaying and neutering for free or at a low cost.

Keep in mind that spaying can be more expensive. This is because it is more invasive than neutering.

What are the benefits of spaying or neutering a dog?

Spay and neuter surgery has several benefits for dogs and their owners.

Less animal overpopulation

Overpopulation of companion animals is a major societal issue. Each year, close to 1 million healthy dogs and cats are euthanized due to lack of space in shelters. Pet parents can do their part by spaying and neutering their companion animals. This prevents more animals from being born and adding to overpopulation.

"Spay/neuter is our primary tool to combat pet overpopulation by reducing the number of unplanned litters. For this reason, I consider spay/neuter lifesaving," said Katribe.

Lower risk for certain cancers and infections

Spayed or neutered dogs have a lower risk of reproductive cancers and life-threatening infections. These include:

• Mammary cancer: "If performed early (before heat cycles), spaying females can nearly eliminate the risk of mammary cancer," said Katribe. Mammary cancer is fatal in about 50% of dogs.

• Testicular cancer: Neutering will lower your male dog's risk of testicular cancer.

• Pyometra: All unspayed female dogs are at risk of pyometra, a life-threatening uterine infection. It tends to mostly affect older, nonspayed female dogs.

Spaying/neutering is also more cost effective than having to treat these diseases.

Behavioral benefits

According to Katribe, neutering your male pup can lower the likelihood of some problematic behaviors. Neutered males are less likely to try and get out of the yard, looking for possible mates. Neutering could also get rid of undesirable habits, such as urine-marking inside and fighting with other males.

No more heat cycles

Spaying a female dog will eliminate heat cycles and everything that goes with them, such as:

• Bloody vaginal discharge

• Yowling

• Crying

• Unpredictable behavior

What are the risks of dog spaying or neutering?

Spaying/neutering is a surgery and involves anesthesia. Because of this, it comes with a small amount of risk, which includes:

• Urinary incontinence: It's possible that your dog will experience urinary incontinence after spaying or neutering. It's more common in larger breeds than smaller ones.

• Cancer: In some cases, there is a small risk that spaying/neutering can lead to cancer. But the cancer risk is based only on small studies. More research is needed to understand the connection between spaying/neutering and disease.

• Weight problems: Spaying/neutering your dog does change their hormones a bit. These changes make it more likely that your dog will gain excess weight. This can be managed with a good diet and plenty of exercise.

Katribe says that general anesthesia may carry higher risk in seniors, especially if they have an underlying illness. Your pup may need "different anesthetic medications and/or additional diagnostic testing prior to anesthesia," said Katribe.

Based on what we know, though, the benefits of spaying and neutering outweigh the risks for most dogs.

Recovery from spay or neuter procedure

Your pet will need time to recover from their surgery. Your veterinarian will most likely give you aftercare instructions. But we've put together some tips for you and your furry friend.

• Give your dog a quiet space to relax.

• Get them to move around indoors to better recover from the anesthesia.

• Keep an eye on your pet. The anesthesia may make them woozy, nauseous, or cranky.

• Give them small amounts of their regular food and water for the first 24 to 48 hours.

• Don't let them run or jump for the next 10 to 14 days.

• Keep the incision dry and avoid baths, swimming, and playing in the snow.

• Don't let your dog lick or chew their incision. Your vet may recommend an Elizabethan collar (also known as an e-collar or cone).

Keep male dogs away from unspayed females for a month.

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