As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to not just look out for your pet’s health, but the health of other pets around yours. For example, owners train their pets and get all the necessary shots as another way to protect their pet and others.
Another common practice for pet owners is to spay or neuter their pets. Spaying or neutering a pet highly recommended for the safety of your pet and others.
When To Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Shelter puppies and kittens are spayed or neutered at 8 weeks old. Shelters do this to stop overpopulation issues as soon as possible. However, most vets recommend that dogs and cats be a little older before sterilization happens.
The most ideal age, health wise, to
spay or neuter your pet is around 6 to 9 months, but most dogs have the procedure done at around 4 months according to The American Veterinary Medical Association.
Dogs can be neutered at any age, but younger animals will recover more quickly. Depending on what kind of pet you have and your pet’s personality, the time you decide to get your pet spayed or neuter can change.
Spaying and Neutering Dogs
As mentioned, puppies in shelters might be sterilized as young as 8 weeks old, or when they get to be heavy enough. Most dogs are spayed or neutered between 6 to 9 months of age. This gives the puppy optimal time to heal properly and reduces risks that come with surgery.
Let’s face it, puppies are clumsy during their first few months of life, so it can be difficult for a pup not to tear at their wounds if they’re younger than 6 months old. And although a fully grown dog can be sterilized safely, there’s an increased risk of post-op complications.
Spaying and Neutering Cats
Kittens can be spayed or neutered at 8 weeks of age.
Most kittens need to be spayed or neutered before it’s 5 months old. This will help reduce urine spraying and eliminate chances of unwanted pregnancies.
Over 41% of cats that enter shelters end up euthanized, so it’s vital for cats to be sterilized to reduce the risk of overpopulation.
Female cats can still be spayed even if they’re in heat.
How Does Spaying or Neutering Your Pet Work?
Once you’ve decided to go ahead with surgery, you’ll speak with your vet about when to have the procedure. The age best to spay or neuter your pet can change depending on what kind of dog you have- both breed and personality. For instance, if you plan to have your dog compete in shows, spaying or neutering your pet might not be a viable option.
During the surgery, your pet will inject or inhale anesthetic so it won’t feel any pain or discomfort. Next, your vet will commence with the surgery. After the surgery is done, your vet will either use absorbable stitches, surgical staples, or even skin glue to seal the wound. Your vet will also give you specific instructions to aftercare.
Spaying or neutering your pet can cost up to $600 depending on who you go to. Some cities and organizations subsidize all surgery costs for spaying and neutering a pet. This reduces the risk of overpopulation, especially in larger cities with frequent problems like pet overpopulation.
If you have pet insurance, the insurance may be able to cover the costs of spaying or neutering your pet.
Although pet insurance is generally reserved for accidents and major surgeries, your pet’s wellness coverage might handle spaying and neutering. Wellness coverage can cover a number of procedures such as:
- Routine vet visits
- Vaccinations
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Gastropexy
- Flea, tick, and deworming preventatives
- Dental cleaning
- Microchipping
This can change depending on your pet insurance provider. Be sure to speak with your
pet insurance provider to see if you have this coverage. If you don’t have pet insurance, you can always call Quote Purple to talk to one of our partners who do have wellness coverage pet insurance.
Benefits of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
There’s a number of benefits aside from keeping an unexpected litter out of your home. Spaying and neutering your pet can have a lot of health benefits as well! Both cats and dogs can see life-long improvements in their health and wellness.
For instance, female pets will:
- Have a longer, healthier life
- Lessen the chances of uterine infections and breast tumours
- Won’t go into heat and eliminates any yowling, crying, irritation, and bloody discharge
- Depletes the risk of mammary cancer that is fatal in 50% of dogs and 90% of cats
Male pets will also see several benefits as well including:
- Preventing testicular cancer and other prostate problems
- Less aggressive and aggravation issues
- Potentially better and more controlled behavior
Spaying and neutering your pet is incredibly cost-effective if you can find a subsidized program or already have pet insurance.
Risks of Spaying or Neutering Your Pet
As with any procedure, there are risks involved. Puppies and kittens need to reach a certain age before they can have this procedure. And although you can sterilize an adult pet, the risks of infection and other complications increase as they get older.
Spaying and neutering a pet will not completely solve all behavioral issues. Although it can help with behavioral problems, it will not solve issues with your pet’s training. It’s also vital that pet owners properly follow all the vet’s aftercare instructions to reduce the risk of any complication. Complications can include, but are not limited to:
- Bleeding
- Lethargy
- Depression and weakness
- Loss of appetite or decreased water intake
- Increased appetite
- Shivering
- Increased or decreased body temperature
- Unsteady gait
- Pale gums
- Troubles breathing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
Serious complications only occur in 1 to 4% of pets. Contact your vet immediately if your pet chews out their incisions to reduce infections, abscesses, and ruptures. However, only 0.01% of cases end up fatal. If you have a concern about your pet showing symptoms or what you can do to alleviate symptoms, discuss options with your vet.
Even with the best of care, accidents and other unexpected issues post-op can happen. These issues can cost pet owners thousands of dollars. If you want to know more options about
pet insurance and how it can cover any of those accidents, call one of Quote Purple partners through the number at the top of the page.
