What does spaying and neutering mean?
Neutering and spaying are both terms, which refer to the surgical sterilization of an animal while under general anesthesia.
Spaying is the surgical procedure for female animals. Technically known as an ovariohysterectomy, spaying removes a female's reproductive organs.
Neutering, also known as an orchiectomy, removes the testicles from a male patient and is generally held to be a simpler surgery than a spay. The term 'neutering' can also, in some cases, refer to the desexing or 'fixing' of either gender.
Benefits For Cats
There are 6 benefits cats experience from being neutered or spayed:
- It puts a stop to poor behaviors like spraying to mark territory.
- It may decrease the risk of mammary (breast) cancer.
- Neutered cats are less likely to stray from home.
- Your cat may become more affectionate.
- It reduces the risk of your cat contracting certain diseases.
- It decreases the risk of uterine infection in female cats.
Benefits For Dogs
There are 5 benefits dogs experience from being spayed or neutered:
- It can reduce sexualized behaviors.
- It reduces the risk of prostate and other cancers.
- It reduces marking and spraying issues.
- It stabilizes the mood of the dog.
- It reduces the mating urge.
Spaying & Neutering FAQs
Here, our knowledgeable veterinary team in North Boulder addresses some of the most common questions we receive about spays and neuters from our clients.
- When should I have my pet spayed? What age?
Pet owners should always consult with their vet in order to determine the best age for neutering or spaying their dog. Some research shows that there may be lifelong health benefits to waiting until after your pet has passed puberty to neuter or spay them.
Many veterinary professionals recommend that female animals be spayed before their first heat, which can occur as early as 5 months of age. However, there is increasing evidence that this is too young as the animals have not been allowed to fully develop and grow.
- What should I know about the recovery process for my pet?
SPAYING After spaying your pet, we send her home in the late afternoon. We request that your pet’s movement be restricted to leash walks only for two weeks after surgery.
NEUTERING If there are no complications or other health issues, your dog or cat can usually go home on the same day of the procedure, with activity restricted for two weeks while the incision heals.
For both procedures, we may send your pet home with a protective collar to keep it from licking the incision.
We typically book a follow-up visit to check on how well your pet has healed and to remove the stitches.
- Will my pet feel anything during the procedure?
Your pet will be under general anesthesia during the entirety of the procedure and won't feel anything.
- Will my pet gain weight after the procedure?
Your puppy or kitten will continue to grow to their full adult weight after the spay or neuter procedure, and this naturally includes some weight gain.