Many old school veterinarians may tell you that you have to wait until they are over 6 months old.  Veterinarians are now realizing that waiting until 6 months is no longer neccessary.  It is just as healthy to do the procedure earlier... and for something as important as spaying and neutering, the earlier the better.  There are so many unwanted puppies and kittens filling shelters that over half don't even make it out alive.  Too many pets and not enough homes make for a bad mix so getting your pet fixed is far more important that most people realize.  You can't take any chances.

I worked with many shelters and veterinarians and most do spays and neuters as soon as the pup reaches a certain weight and is otherwise healthy (usually around 8-12 weeks old).  Not all vets are on board with this yet for the general public, so ask your vet what their policy is.

To quote a veterinarian, "The research available on the physical, behavioral, short and long-term effects of prepubescent neutering in dogs and cats shows no adverse results. Based on this information, the American Humane Association supports this practice as a feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths. Early sterilization practices are also endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association and the California Veterinary Medical Association.

"On a personal note, I heartily endorse this program also. I have been actively participating in ESP [Early Sterilization Program] since 1984 and have performed ESP on approximately 1000 animals. We have not noted any negative results, in fact, clients typically report these puppies and kittens are the "best we have ever had". We have not lost a single animal because of this procedure!"

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Stephanie
www.PinkPuppyDesigns.com

Thinking about getting a pet? Try PetFinder.com!

From my experience when a puppy starts being "sexually" active as in humping and things to relieve the tension that is a good point to have them fixed. That is how we have done our last 6 dogs and they have gone on to live normal healthy live thus making our lives easier. We dont have to worry. If that helps you any let me know.

Here are some interesting facts about spaying and neutering from the ASPCA...

"Research has shown that sterilized animals are less likely to behave aggressively, bite or be involved in fatal attacks.  The illegal blood sport of dog fighting involves intact dogs. According to Karen Delise, author of Fatal Dog Attacks, there were 28 fatal dog attacks in the United States in 2005—and 90 percent of the dogs involved in fatal attacks were not spayed or neutered.  Additionally, a 2002 Texas Severe Animal Attack Survey revealed that 81 percent of the dogs involved in severe attacks on people were not spayed or neutered."

This is from an article on new laws in Illinois regarding dogs owned by felons.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_122806&JServSessionIdr012=cchn6k3581.app25b

 

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Stephanie
www.PinkPuppyDesigns.com

Thinking about getting a pet? Try PetFinder.com!

Thanks Everyone!  That is very helpful. 

well...i am a dog walker and also a dog owner.

Unfortunately, due to years of backyard breeding and owners who refuse to get their dogs "fixed" due to testosterone or the unfounded myths about spaying and neutering, we are now at a point where approximately 7 times as many dogs and cats are born than people.  Where are they all to go?  Shelters are forced to euthanized them if they can't find a home simply to keep up with the thousands of homeless animals pounding on their doors in need.

• Benefits of Spaying (females):

  • * No heat cycles, therefore males will not be attracted
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  • * Less desire to roam
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  • * Risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and/or uterine cancer is reduced or eliminated, especially if done before the first heat cycle
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  • * Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies
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  • * Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives

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• Benefits of Neutering (males):

  • * Reduces or eliminates risk of spraying and marking
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  • * Less desire to roam, therefore less likely to be injured in fights or auto accidents
  • 
    
  • * Risk of testicular cancer is eliminated, and decreases incidence of prostate disease
  • 
    
  • * Reduces number of unwanted cats/kittens/dogs/puppies
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  • * Decreases aggressive behavior, including dog bites
  • 
    
  • * Helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives
    
    

• Top 3 Reasons to Spay and Neuter

  • * It helps to reduce companion animal overpopulation. Most countries have a surplus of companion animals and are forced to euthanize or disregard their great suffering. The surplus is in the millions in the United States. Cats are 45 times as prolific, and dogs 15 times as prolific, as humans.They do not need our help to expand their numbers; they need our help to reduce their numbers until there are good homes for them all.
    
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  • * Sterilization of your cat or dog will increase his/her chance of a longer and healthier life. Altering your canine friend will increase his life an average of 1 to 3 years, felines, 3 to 5 years. Altered animals have a very low to no risk of mammary gland tumors/cancer, prostate cancer, perianal tumors, pyometria, and uterine, ovarian and testicular cancers.
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  • * Sterilizing your cat/dog makes him/her a better pet, reducing his/her urge to roam and decreasing the risk of contracting diseases or getting hurt as they roam. Surveys indicate that as many as 85% of dogs hit by cars are unaltered. Intact male cats living outside have been shown to live on average less than two years. Feline Immunodeficiency Syndrome is spread by bites and intact cats fight a great deal more than altered cats.
    

• Additional Benefits:
  

  • * Your community will also benefit. Unwanted animals are becoming a very real concern in many places. Stray animals can easily become a public nuisance, soiling parks and streets, ruining shrubbery, frightening children and elderly people, creating noise and other disturbances, causing automobile accidents, and sometimes even killing livestock or other pets.
    - The American Veterinary Medical Association
    
    
  • * The capture, impoundment and eventual destruction of unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private humanitarian agencies over a billion dollars each year. As a potential source of rabies and other less serious diseases, they can be a public health hazard.
    - The American Veterinary Medical Association

Dogs and Cats can start having litters as early as 5 months of age.  To wait for years before spaying and neutering is, quite frankly, irresponsible pet ownership.

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Stephanie
www.PinkPuppyDesigns.com

Thinking about getting a pet? Try PetFinder.com!