- Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures to remove reproductive organs. These procedures are typically recommended for puppies and kittens before they reach sexual maturity (at about 5 months old).
- Spaying or neutering your pet prevents him or her from having unwanted offspring. It also has very important health and behavior benefits for your pet.
- General anesthesia is required.
- Spaying is a more involved procedure than neutering.
What Is It?
Spaying and neutering are surgical procedures used to remove the reproductive organs of dogs and cats. Spaying is the removal of the uterus and ovaries of a female dog or cat. Neutering is the removal of a male dog’s or cat’s testicles. These procedures are also sometimes referred to as “sterilizing” or “fixing” pets.
How It Works
Both of these procedures are performed by a veterinarian while the pet is under anesthesia. Spaying is generally a more involved procedure than neutering because the reproductive organs being removed are internal.
Although all surgical procedures carry some risks, spaying and neutering are the most common surgeries performed in dogs and cats, and most pets handle the surgery very well. Be sure to follow instructions regarding withholding food and water before surgery. Your pet will need to stay at the hospital anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on his or her age, size, sex, and condition, and the hospital's policy. Also be careful to follow all recommendations for home care or aftercare, such as pain medications and appointments for suture removal.
Pets can be spayed or neutered when they are as young as 8 weeks of age, and many animal shelters follow this policy before releasing pets for adoption. Otherwise, the procedure is typically recommended for dogs and cats before they reach sexual maturity (at about 5 months old).
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