Sykesville Veterinary Clinic

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When Is the Right Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?

Are you on the fence about whether you should schedule a spay or neuter for your pet? Perhaps you’re a new owner who is wary and wants to know the pros and cons of this routine procedure. That’s okay.

You likely stumbled upon this post because you care about your pet. We respect owners who want to know all of the facts to ensure they’re making the right decision.

That’s why we’ve compiled everything you need to know about spay and neuter procedures into one, easy-to-read blog post.

What is the Difference Between Spaying and Neutering?

Both spaying and neutering serve the same purpose: to eliminate the ability and desire for reproduction within an animal. However, which procedure your pet has depends upon its gender.

Spaying is specifically for female cats or dogs. A routine spay involves removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes from the female reproductive system. This puts an end to their heat cycle while eliminating the possibility of reproduction.

Neutering is a procedure done on male cats or dogs. In this procedure, the vet removes the testes from the animal, which eliminates the desire or ability to breed.

When Should I Schedule a Spay or Neuter for My Pet?

It’s important to spay or neuter your pet at the right time. Completing the procedure too early or much later in life can cause unnecessary risks to your furry friend’s health.

Our facility allows kittens to be spayed or neutered as early as eight weeks old. However, you have to wait a bit longer for dogs. We recommend you spay or neuter your puppy between the ages of four to six months.

The risks of a spay or neuter are very low, especially when weighed against the benefits. Few complications ever happen during the procedure and spaying or neutering your animal can actually prevent many forms of cancer or disease.

However, timing is important. Having these procedures done too early can lead to multiple long-term health issues later on down the road. This is because you remove many of the hormones that play an important role in development.

But you don’t want to wait too long, either. Some believe that it is better to wait until after your pet’s first heat cycle to have them fixed. This is incorrect.

Newer studies have shown that waiting until after an animal’s first heat cycle actually elevates their risk of developing health issues later on.

Schedule Your Pet’s Appointment Today!

If your pet requires a spay or neuter and he or she is of age, don’t wait! Give us a call to schedule an appointment. Our veterinary clinic in Sykesville, Maryland is six days a week.

We pride ourselves on being the “little vet with a big heart,” treating your pets with the same care and compassion as we would our own.

If you have any questions, don’t be shy. Simply pick up the phone or send us an email regarding your inquiries. We’re here to help you take care of your pet in the best way possible.