Spay/Neuter... Later??

[Jessika]

I'd always heard to spay around six months or before a female's first heat.

But then I read this article the groomer put up in the breakroom and you know it really kind of makes sense to me.

http://www.caninesports.com/SpayNeuter.html

Grant it, so long as you're a RESPONSIBLE owner, it shouldn't be a problem for a year or so until you get them fixed. Then again for every responsible owner there are 50 irresponsible ones...

[Scooby4]

My opinion is that you should fix the animal AFTER the first heat or first litter. (First litter ONLY if intentional for breeding). The 6 months rule should correlate with the first heat anyways. For male dogs fixing should be done after the testicles have "dropped".
I say this from experience. My cat got "fixed" at around 3 months. It was the BIGGEST mistake! Her mentality is a little "immature" and never seemed to become a full adult. She is over 10 years old! Her physical status has been the worse effect. Everyone has commented that she is a "fat cat". However, she is NOT fat in any shape or form. Her "breasts" fell down and it is a lump of droopy skin! A fat cat's skin is taught well hers is extremely loose.
I've noticed other animals that have gotten fixed too early and they have "maturity" issues. That's just my opinion. My next time getting my animals fixed I will wait. I am just NOT comfortable with the trend of fixing animals early. I do see the point of it. There are too many unfixed animals without responsible owners. This provides a "protection" from encouraging more unwanted animals from neglectful owners.
Talk to a few vets and decide what is best for your animal. This is just MY Opinion. Please make your own.

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I have heard that extra large breed male dogs should be neutered at 18 months. When you buy from a breeder though -- you HAVE to follow the contract.

[Jessika]

Her "breasts" fell down and it is a lump of droopy skin! A fat cat's skin is taught well hers is extremely loose.

Every one of our cats who were spayed as young kittens at the shelter before we adopted them (in most cases, earlier than three months) all have this exact problem. I knew it had something to do with being fixed because EVERY CAT we've had fixed that young has this problem.

What about male cats, though? I don't want Double-Oh to start spraying... and getting him fixed will help stop the behavior, but if you get him neutered before he starts spraying he doesn't "lose" the ability to spray but he's never done it before to know he can do it. O_o If that makes any sense. lmao

[BC_MoM]

I noticed it said "canine athlete" several times in that article, including in the title. "Early Spay/Neuter Considerations for the Canine Athlete".

Canine ATHLETES differ a lot from ones that are family pets, regardless of it's breed.

I think a dog should be spayed/neutered ASAP after it's first heat cycle; only because the cycle itself is natural for the dog. I would also say that I think every dog should have at least one litter because it is natural, but I know that would be a devastation and I know better because of all the irresponsible people on this Earth.

Molly's getting spayed on Monday and is approx. 6 1/2 months old but hasn't reached a heat cycle yet, so could she be younger than 6 1/2 months?

[Jessika]

I know the article was written with canine athletes in mind, but the article also states "particularly for the canine athlete" meaning including (and stressed for), but not limited to, canine athletes.

EDIT: There's a very good chance she IS 6 1/2 months and just hasn't had her first heat yet. Jamie was 11 months before she got her's

[lv4dogs]

Thats an interesting article, one that makes a lot of sense.

I've always been a fan of spaying/neutering at an older (between 6 months to 2 years of age) *IF* you are responsible AND are having no behavioral issues.


Jessika, I understand what you are saying about male cats. Thats a tough call, just like male dogs though. Male dogs can continue to mark if they have already learned the behavior too. Do you want to neuter them late & take the chance that they may start to mark (or spray when relating to cats) or just get it done early so you have less of a chance to deal with the problem? I think thats a personal choice, if you want to risk it or not.

I went through a lot of worrying with Tiki about that issue. I wanted to wait until he was between 6-9 months of age but I did NOT want him spraying. I couldn't keep him inside for the life of me so luckily that made up my mind for me. I didn't want any stray cats to get pregnant. I got him fixed when he was right around 5.5 months or so.

BTW, I have also noticed the saggyness associated with female cats that are spayed at a real early age.


BCMom, there is a good chance she just hasn't had her heat yet, not all dogs have them at the exact same age. A dog her size usually (but not always) has their first between the ages of 6-9 months of age. Just like with people the age is not always the same for each person.