At OneHowTo we've talked about what is a female dog in heat like and how to tell if your dog is pregnant. But if you clearly do not want your dog to have puppies, you should consider the option to spay or neuter your pet. But what is the best age to do this? It is a sensitive subject because there are many opinions. In this article we are going to give you some advice on this so you can make an informed decision, but it is essential to trust your vet, as they will know the characteristics of your dog better. In this article we will discuss what the best age to spay or neuter a dog is.
Why Neuter a Dog?
The sterilization of your pet is a good decision because it will avoid overpopulation and unwanted pregnancy. It is a sad reality that most stray animals end up, unfortunately, killed or abandoned. In addition, sterilizing your pet gives health benefits to both males and females. Female dogs will never be in heat and male dogs will typically be less distracted by dogs in heat.
What is the Best age to Neuter or Spay a Dog?
It is generally advisable to carry out the procedure when the dog is around six months old, although some wait for the full maturity of the dog or even after the first heat for females. It's best to listen to your vet on this issue as they will know best what suits your individual dogs needs.
What are the Risks of Neutering/Spaying a Dog?
Some dogs may be at risk of developing health problems caused by the neutering or spaying, especially at a young age. It might be that there is an alternative procedure to sterilize your dog without getting rid of sex hormones, so you should inform yourself on the benefits for your pet, but also on the associated risks of the surgery.
What if I do not want to spay or neuter my dog?
Nobody will force you to spay or neuter your pet, it is a decision that you must consider carefully. However, if you choose not to spay or neuter your pet and but do not want it to reproduce, you need to take precautions. For example, if you have a female that has not been spayed or sterilized, you have to exercise caution when she is in heat that she is not mounted by a male. And of course, if you have a male dog as a pet and decide not to neuter or sterilize him, it is your responsibility to make sure he doesn't impregnate any females.
If you want to read similar articles to What Is The Best Age To Neuter or Spay a Dog, we recommend you visit our Pets category.