When Should You Get Female Dog Spayed

The term “spaying” refers to the surgical removal of a female dog’s reproductive organs, the ovaries and uterus.

Female dogs usually have their first heat cycle when they are six to twelve months old. Spaying can be done as early as eight weeks old and should be done before the first heat cycle.

Spaying is a very common procedure that is often performed by veterinarians.

It can also be performed at home with a veterinarian-approved kit, but it is not recommended for most pet owners because it requires medical expertise and significant precision.

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.^[1]

When should you have your female dog spayed?

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.^[2]

Do female dogs change after being spayed?

Due to the prevention of sudden hormone changes, a female dog should return to her normal behavior within the first three weeks after spaying. However, spaying does not change your dog’s personality. She will not be any less hyper or aggressive after spay surgery if those are her normal personality traits.^[3]

Does getting a female dog spayed calm her down?

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. Each dog has its own positive and negative social habits.^[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]

How can you prepare your female dog for spaying?

Preparing a dog for surgery Your veterinarian may ask you to withhold food and/or water the night before or morning of your dog’s spay—it depends on the type of anesthesia that will be used during the surgery. (Your vet will go over the pre-spay requirements with you prior to the procedure.)^[6]

How much does it cost to spayed a dog?

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.^[7]

What are the benefits of not spaying a female dog?

Spaying young females significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer), a common cancer in larger breeds with a poor prognosis. #2: When female dogs are spayed before puberty, distinctly female disorders rise. The risk of recessed vulva, vaginal dermatitis, and vaginitis increases.^[8]

Are dogs in pain when they get spayed?

The pain associated with spay or neuter surgeries is typically more of a discomfort and may last for just a few days and should be completely gone after about a week. If your pet is experiencing pain or discomfort for more than a couple of days it’s a good idea to contact your vet for further advice.^[9]

What are the pros and cons of spaying your dog?

1 PRO of spaying your dog: Heat Period Reduction. 2 PRO of spaying your dog: No Doggy Pregnancy. 3 PRO of spaying your dog: Less Risk of Cancers. 1 CON of dog spaying: Hypothyroidism and Weight Gain. 2 CON of spaying your dog: Cancers and Complications.^[10]

How often do female dogs go into heat?

Most dogs come into heat twice per year, or about every six months, although the interval can vary between breeds and from dog to dog. Small breed dogs may cycle three times per year, while giant breed dogs may only cycle once every 12 months.^[11]

How long does a dogs first heat last?

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]