Neutering is a common medical practice that owners do for their pets, but deciding what age to get the procedure done can be a bit difficult to know. Getting your puppy neutered keeps them healthier over time, and it can help prevent any future illnesses that can threaten your pet’s health. By learning more about what neutering is and what it can do for your puppy, you can start learning what age will be the most beneficial for your pet and their health.
Here at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we’ve served the Colorado Springs area with affordable and high-quality services since 2015. Our family-run business is here to give your pet the most comfortable and healthy life possible. Our passionate veterinarians and staff are committed to serving you and your furry family member every step of the way to give them a life full of health. At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we make sure to treat your family like our family!
What is Neutering?
Neutering is a surgical procedure that removes the animal’s reproductive organs. It’s something highly recommended in order to protect your pet’s health. For male dogs, it’s the removal of their testicles and for female dogs, it’s a bit more invasive, removing the ovaries and uterus during a spay. This procedure is performed under anesthesia and can come with a small percentage of risk, but with proper medical care and attention, the risk is very small. During the procedure, your pet will not feel any pain, but afterward, it’s important to give your puppy extra care and attention during recovery to ease any discomfort they may feel.
Benefits Of Neutering Your Puppy
Neutering has become a common practice because of all the benefits that come out of going through with the procedure. According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association), some of the benefits include:
- Reduces Risk of Diseases and Illnesses:
There are a number of diseases that can occur to your pet that can be avoided by neutering your dog. Some health issues that you can protect them from can include urinary infections and breast cancer for females and testicular cancer for males. By deciding on this procedure, you minimize the risk of certain illnesses and will strengthen your pet’s health.
- Prevents Unwanted Pregnancies and Births:
There are many unwanted puppies that are cast aside or euthanized each year. preventing any possible pregnancies, you can reduce the number of neglected dogs by neutering your pet. When done at the right age, neutering your pet will help your puppy’s health and help decrease the number of abandoned puppies.
- Improves Pet’s Behavior:
This procedure doesn’t necessarily change your pet’s learning abilities or intelligence, but it does help reduce some behavioral issues in regards to territorial or mating traits that aren’t very desirable. With a more well-behaved puppy, you can create a better relationship between you and your pet.
What Is The Best Age To Get The Procedure Done?
Depending on the health of your dog, six to nine months is around the best time to get the procedure done. It’s possible to get it done earlier as long as your puppy is healthy and the medical procedure won’t cause any unnecessary health problems. The longer you wait, the most risk for complications can occur. To avoid any possibility of unwanted pregnancies, it is also advised to get it done at a younger age.
This topic is heavily debated and there are many experts who have differing opinions. Depending on the breed and the size of your dog, it can vary what age is best for a puppy to be neutered. Visiting your vet and discussing this with them will help you decide the best course of action for your puppy. By tackling research on the procedure early on, you can give yourself more time to see when the best time to actually get it done will be.
What Can You, As The Owner, Do To Help?
After surgery, your puppy will be facing pain and discomfort during recovery and you, as the owner, need to be there every step of the way to ease those issues. Here are some tips on how you can be there for your pet:
- Check Their Incisions Regularly
- Look Out For Complications
- Avoid Any Strenuous Activities
- Monitor Their Food Intake
- Comfort Them and Keep Them As Comfortable As Possible
Neutering your dog is a common practice and it’s shown to have many benefits for them. It’s highly recommended and pet owners should always consider the option of doing it for their pets. Taking the proper measures and doing thorough research is very important to do early on to optimize the timeline for your pet. Choosing the best age for them is essential to avoid any possible complications. Talk to your vet and discuss what is the best route for your puppy’s health.
At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to guide our patients to do what’s best for their pet’s health. We consider your family our family, and we make you and your pet our top priority. Neutering your puppy can be a scary procedure for your pet, but we are here to care for you every step of the way. Contact us to learn more!
