When Should a Dog Be Spayed?

Is it time to spay your new female dog? Knowing when to spay a puppy is fairly straightforward, but knowing when to spay a dog who has reached adult age can be harder to determine. For help on deciding whether the time is right to spay your dog, keep reading.

What Is Spaying?

Spaying is a surgical procedure performed on female animals involving the removal of the ovaries and uterus, primarily in order to prevent reproduction. The slightly simpler procedure for removing a male dog's sex organs is called neutering. You might also hear the term sterilization which is just the gender neutral expression of having the reproductive organs removed.

Preventing unwanted puppies isn't the only purpose that spaying serves. Spaying can reduce the risk of your dog developing certain cancers and prevents the possibility of pyometra, a uterine infection that is often painful and sometimes dangerous.

When to Spay a Puppy

It's generally recommended to spay puppies between the ages of 4 to 6 months, says the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). By that age a female puppy's sex organs are fully developed but she hasn't yet experienced her first heat cycle, during which she could become pregnant.

Spaying a puppy at this age will keep her risk of developing breast cancer extremely low. Waiting until after her first heat cycle will increase this cancer risk, says the AAHA. Subsequent heat cycles will increase the risk even more. So if you're planning to spay your puppy, the sooner she can have the procedure done after the age of 4 months, the better for her overall health.

However, keep in mind that in many healthcare fields this continues to be studied, and new research is consistently available that certain breeds of dogs may benefit from being spayed slightly later in life. Be sure to speak to your veterinarian about your dog's specific timeline if you're interested in spaying.

Should an Older Dog Be Spayed?

The decision of when to spay a dog who is fully grown is much more flexible. There is no medical reason why an adult dog in good health shouldn't be spayed. Since dogs can get cancer at any age, even senior dogs can benefit from a spaying procedure. As long as a dog doesn't have any health issues that would make it dangerous to use anesthesia or undergo a surgical procedure, no dog is too old to be spayed, says Chewy.

The ASPCA points out, however, that older dogs might have a slightly higher risk of complications following the surgery. In any case, your veterinarian will likely want to conduct a physical exam and blood tests to make sure your dog is healthy enough for the procedure.

What to Expect

Spaying is a common procedure among female dogs, but keep in mind that it is surgery. While it is true that you may be able to take your pup in for surgery in the morning and pick her up later that afternoon or evening, but some veterinarians may keep her overnight to monitor for bleeding and ensure she remains quiet after surgery. When you drop your dog off you may be asked to sign consent forms for surgery, pain medication and a preoperative screening and blood test if she has not already had one.

When you pick her up later that day, she may still be groggy from the anesthesia. Your vet will provide you with a set of instructions for post-operative care, and this is a good time to ask questions about her recovery and what you can expect. Be sure to bring a carrier or a soft blanket to help make her ride home more comfortable. You can also give her a toy to cuddle, but refrain from giving her any treats until after the anesthesia has completely worn off.