When To Get Female Dog Spayed
There are many reasons to get your female dog spayed. First, it can prevent a number of medical problems. Female dogs who are not spayed can develop uterine infections or mammary cancer. Spaying also helps to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the difficult process of giving birth.
Female dog spaying is a surgical procedure that removes the uterus and ovaries from female dogs. The surgery is done under anesthesia so the dog does not feel any pain during the procedure.
The surgery takes about 30 minutes, but it will take at least 7-10 days for your pet to recover from the anesthesia and return home with you.
What is the best age to spay a female dog?
When should I spay my female dog? We recommend waiting until your dog is at least over 6 months and likely even older for larger dogs. The benefits are much more pronounced in larger dogs, but there is not a lot of difference for lap dogs.[1]
Should you let a female dog go into heat before spaying?
Q: Should I let my dog have a heat before I spay her? A: Medically, it’s better to spay your dog before their first heat. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary tumors. People who wait to spay their dogs until after their second heat greatly increase the risk of mammary tumors in their pets.[2]
How do I know when my dog is ready to be spayed?
Your vet can consider your dog’s individual needs and make a recommendation. Most female dogs can be spayed any time after eight weeks of age, and preferably before their first heat for the best health benefits. The first heat cycle occurs somewhere around six to seven months of age, depending on the breed.[3]
How long after a female dog is in heat can she be spayed?
Spaying a dog in heat is NOT desirable for the dog, the owner during aftercare, or the surgeon. The best choice, unfortunately, is to wait until the heat cycle is finished-about 4 weeks from the day you first noticed her attractiveness.[4]
What happens if a female dog is spayed too early?
Spaying your dog too early can result in health problems later on since her hormones should have some time to work. Early spaying can increase the risk of hip dysplasia, torn ligaments, bone cancer, and urinary incontinence.[5]
Do female dogs live longer if they are spayed?
On average dogs who are spayed or neutered live one and a half years longer than those who are not. Typically, dogs who are not fixed live to be about 8 years of age, where fixed dogs average about nine and a half years.[6]
Is 6 months too early to spay a dog?
In general, in small breed dogs (less than 50 pounds) we recommend spaying around 6 months. In large breed dogs (greater than 50 pounds) we recommend waiting until after skeletal maturity but before the second heat cycle(usually 12-15 months) in spaying female dogs or anytime after skeletal maturity in male dogs.[7]
Can I get my dog spayed during her first heat?
YES! Most people are under the impression that once a dog is in heat, you have to wait until she is done the cycle before she can be spayed. It is, however, quite possible, but you should be aware that there are higher than normal risks associated with performing the procedure at this time.[8]
Will spaying calm a female dog?
Can Spaying or Neutering Make a Dog Less Hyper? The short answer is that no, your dog isn’t likely to be less hyperactive after getting spayed or neutered. It won’t change their personality much, if at all.[9]
Should I have my dog spayed before her first season?
Also if she was producing milk, the enlargement of the milk glands would make it more difficult for the spay wound to heal. For all of these reasons, the ideal time chosen to spay is usually either before the first season occurs, at around six months of age, or three to four months after the first season.[10]
How much does spaying a dog cost?
While there are a lot of variables, spaying will typically run $50–$500. Costs at the low end of that spectrum are typically subsidized through a public agency. “There are many low-cost spay and neuter clinics around the country to help make the process more accessible to all pet owners,” Moore says.[11]
How do I know when my dog is no longer in heat?
Heat usually lasts between 2-4 weeks. Early in the cycle, a female dog may not be receptive to male dogs, although some are receptive through the entire cycle. It can be shorter or longer and you’ll know the cycle is over when all her vulva returns to its normal size and there’s no more bleeding or discharge.[12]
