What Age Should a Dog Be Spayed?

TLDR: spaying your female dog will remove her uterus and ovaries, resulting in her inability to have any new babies. Dog owners commonly get their dogs spayed to avoid unexpected pregnancy while also neutralizing their behavior overall. The best age to get your female dog spayed is about four to six months. By spaying your dog at an early age, you will significantly reduce the odds of breast cancer development.

Dogs are a man’s best friend, that’s the most common sentiment that you will find when asking many pet owners how they feel about their dogs. While this may be true, there are certain instances where your dog may become a burden, that you no longer want to deal with. One of the most common problems that dog owners experience is that of unwanted pregnancy.

Dealing with female dogs

If you own a female dog, the responsibility of taking care of the puppies will likely fall on you since your dog will be the one carrying the newborns. For those dog owners that don’t want to deal with a situation like this, the best solution is to have your female dog spayed.

Spaying your female dog will remove her uterus and ovaries, rendering her incapable of having babies even in the event of sporadic intercourse. Before spaying your dog, you need to take into consideration several factors.

To ensure that you get optimal results from the spaying procedure, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.

At what age should a dog be spayed?

In general, the best age to spay your female dog is about six months of age. At this stage in their development, all of their organs have fully developed, so you won’t have to worry about encountering any medical issues once the procedure is complete. You can also spay your female dog at four months of age, as this will reduce her exposure to developing breast cancer quite significantly.

If you have an adult female dog, you can spay her at any time because there are no developing organs or other hormonal systems that can become impacted by the surgery. When you decide to spay your dog, it’s important to note that you may not get her back the same day as the procedure.

Some veterinarians will keep your dog overnight to ensure they have enough time to recover properly. Your dog’s blood work may also be required before surgery, which is something to keep in mind. It’s also recommended that your dog not eat 8 hours before their operation to avoid any complications.

After-care

After the spaying procedure is complete, you’ll want to take a few after-care measures to ensure your dog recovers as fast as possible. It’s normal for dogs to cough after being spayed due to the anesthesia; pain medication may also be prescribed for pain management reasons. Only remove the stitches your dog has for at least 7-10 days after the surgery has been complete.

It’s common for your dog to feel nauseous for the first 1-2 days after surgery. Consistent moving and high activity levels can cause your dog’s recovery process to become inhibited, that’s why you should avoid letting them engage in any strenuous activity for about a week after the procedure is complete.

People Also Ask

Q: What happens if you spay a dog too early?
A: If you spay your dog too early, you run the risk of exposing them to health problems such as bone cancer, torn ligaments, and hip dysplasia, amongst other things. This is why it’s so vital for you to ensure that you only put your dog through the spaying process when you know they are ready for it.

Q: How much does it cost to spay a female dog?
A: On average, it costs about $35-$400 dollars to spay a female dog fully. Female dog spaying costs more than neutering a male dog by far; however, the specific clinic you decide to take your dog to will also play a significant role in determining the final price you pay.

Q: Do female dogs calm down after spaying?
A: In appropriate-aged dogs, you can expect a significant drop in “wild” behavioral patterns. However, the amount of time that it takes for your dog to calm down will vary depending on their specific breed. Some dogs take months to calm down while others take a few years to do so.

Knowing when to get your dog spayed

Now that you know all of the critical information required to make your dog’s spaying process go as smoothly as possible, have fun with your new dog since you won’t have to worry about unexpected pregnancy anymore. Before taking your female dog to get spayed, ask yourself these two simple questions: “Is my female dog at the appropriate age to get spayed?” and “Am I prepared to care for my dog after the procedure?”