When To Spay And Neutering Dogs And Cats

[connda]

I have 1 female puppy, 1 male puppy, and 1 male kitten.

At what should I have the female spayed and the males neutered? Any time difference in neutering the puppy and kitten?

BTW, I'm not Thai and these are not free-roaming soi dogs (and never will be if I can help it). We have about a 1/2 rai fenced area around our home that the dogs run free in.

Thanks!

[villagefarang]

We did ours around six months. A Google will give you tons of information.

[Riley'sLife]

I have always had my dogs or cats done when their last vaccination is given. i.e. at 3 or 4 months of age.

As females can go into heat as young as four months of age, they should be spayed before then to avoid the possibility of mammary tumours.

In the UK it is routine for RSPCA, and other animal shelters to undertake neutering on animals weighing a minimum of 2lbs and 6 weeks of age. Recovery is usually rapid without any problems the younger the animal, subject to the above.

Hope that helps.

PS It is more important for a dog to have regular walks with its owner than to be able to have the free run of a garden. This becomes even more important when you have more than one dog as they will then - provided you know what you are doing- relate to the owner properly and become more controllable. Always reinforce discipline and training before they eat, and mmediately before and immediately after a walk. If you don't know how to walk a dog correctly, as a responsible owner you should definitely learn. ....and remember they are animals, not human children! Hope you have as much pleasure and devotion from your animals as I have been blessed with from mine.

[AyG]

Though in the west neutering is often done when the animals are very young, Thai vets seem to be reluctant to do this and prefer to wait until the animal is fully grown.

[isanbirder]

Vets here seem not to like neutering male dogs before the age of six months. However, my puppy was neutered at five months; his mother appeared to be coming on heat again, and I did not want him to breed with her. Trouble-free.

[Nienke]

Mostly the decision to spay or neuter at an early age is to prevent unwanted litters. Therefore, for stray dogs it is recommended to Spay/Neuter at an early age, or at least before the female gets her first heat cycle (which is, in general, around 8 months of age).

However, as reproduction hormones have a great influences on the growth, S/N a pet dog before it is fully physical and mentally matured I wouldn't recommend due to the increased chance on some nasty side-effects.

I would suggest to first read the following article, including the links given at the end of the article, before deciding when to spay or neuter: http://www.luckydogs...s_and_Con_s.pdf

As for cats, I've always understood that a female can come into heat as early as 4 months of age. I do not know about any possible side-effects on early S/N in cats.

Edited August 20, 2012 by Nienke

[topt]

Mostly the decision to spay or neuter at an early age is to prevent unwanted litters. Therefore, for stray dogs it is recommended to Spay/Neuter at an early age, or at least before the female gets her first heat cycle (which is, in general, around 8 months of age).

However, as reproduction hormones have a great influences on the growth, S/N a pet dog before it is fully physical and mentally matured I wouldn't recommend due to the increased chance on some nasty side-effects.

I would suggest to first read the following article, including the links given at the end of the article, before deciding when to spay or neuter: http://www.luckydogs...s_and_Con_s.pdf

As for cats, I've always understood that a female can come into heat as early as 4 months of age. I do not know about any possible side-effects on early S/N in cats.

When we were looking to get our GS cross neutered only one of about 5 vets we visited mentioned the growth aspect. Unless you already have a vet you are comfortable with I would suggest getting a range of views before proceeding.

In the end we waited until after the second period. Everything seems to be okay......and she hasn't changed in any discernible way.

[connda]

Thanks for the replies. Our vet had said to wait until 8 months to a year. Now I understand why. Young male cats, from my reading, don't get territorial and start spraying until after 1 year although they are sexually mature before that. And my dogs are fenced. As long as I don't have problems with our male and female doing "The K-9 Tango" together, I'll hold off to enable them to become more mature.

[Nienke]

A long-time tv-member, who's a retired zoo-curator, mentioned a few times that by giving the female 1 chlorofyl tablet a day, when in heat, you can reduce the 'attractive' smell considerably.

I've tried that and it seemed to work. Normally the males would be aroused for at least a week, but then it was only during the real peak (about 3 days) that they became a little aroused. Of course, still the female was kept strictly separated.

You could give that a try. Chlorofyl tablets you can buy at health shops or online.

Edited August 21, 2012 by Nienke

[mangotogo]

^Hi,

^{I have always recommended to spay/neuter animals before they reach sexual maturity to avoid unnecessary litters. Yesterday I spayed/neutered a litter of kittens and their mother. The kittens are 4 months old and the mother under 1 year. They are looking for new homes as the owner is a maid living in an apartment complex and the landlord told her to dispose of them. I stepped in to spay /neuter them so they have a better chance of finding a new home. They are all very well socialised with children and dogs. Very laid back cats. I don;t have any picture available at the moment but will return there monday and can provide some photos then. ! tabby female(the mother), 1 female kitten black and white, 1 mink colored male and one male siamese cross colors. Very healthy and already desexed so you avoid these expenses. So if anyone is looking ofr a healthy cat, please contact me.}

^{Thank you.}