How old does a puppy have to be to get it spayed?

Answer 1

Generally, most vets spay and neuter at 6 months of age, prior to their first heat. There are some vets that do pediatric spays and neuters and some vets, when the dog is very large, will do a spay or neuter sooner.

Prior to the first heat and about 6 months of age is healthiest.

GREAT DECISION!! You must be an awesome, responsible dog owner! Good job!

Answer 2

You can spay a puppy at 6 or 8 weeks- its an easy surgery at that time. However, most veterinarians wait until all the vaccines have been given about 4 to 6 months, because the surgery is a stress and lowers their immune capabilities. I do recommend that you spay by at least 6 months because it lowers the likelihood of cancers and behavioral issues.

Answer 3

From what I understand, you should spay a dog BEFORE her first heat cycle typically gives a longer and healthier life. Your vet can give you an idea of when that would be for your breed of dog.

Neutering a dog is a bit different depending on the traits you're looking for. If you want your male a little taller and thinner, neuter around 4-5 months. If you like a little shorter and stockier representation, neuter around 6-7 months.

Answer 4

6 months. I would NOT spay at 8 weeks like has been suggested. I have seen WAY to many dogs with spay incontinence because it was done that young. Why would anyone put a dog so young under for an unnecessary surgery?

Answer 5

The earliest a puppy can be spayed is 4 months.

Answer 6

Most vets like to wait until they are about 6 months old, but as a vet tech, I have seen them spayed as young as 3 months of age.

Answer 7

My vet said 6 months. I have heard of some being spayed earlier.

Answer 8

Ideally she should be spayed around 4-6 months. She should not enter her first heat. many vets will spay earlier though.

Answer 9

I get them done at 8 weeks.

The younger the better they heal much faster and don't run and play as much as when they are older so they don't have as much stress on the incision.

If you are just doing one I would suggest waiting until the third set of shots between the third and fourth month. The vets office is a breeding ground for disease and viruses and you want your puppy safe before you leave her there.

Answer 10

When to Neuter and Spay:

Pets can become capable of reproduction as early as 6 months of age, so it is important to spay and neuter pets by that age. Not only is there no evidence to support the old wives� tale about benefits of letting pets go through a heat cycle or have a litter, there is a preponderance of evidence that it is healthier for pets to be spayed or neutered before the first heat cycle (estrus) and sexual maturity. Sterilization can safely be done before then, as endorsed by the AVMA and other major animal health and welfare organizations.

Research from the AVMA and other sources indicates that younger animals heal faster and are lower surgical risks. However, older animals can typically be spayed and neutered safely as well.

Early-Age Neuter/Spay

Early spay/neuter starting at 8 weeks of is endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Humane Society of the United States, the American Kennel Club, the Cat Fanciers Association, the American Humane Association and many other organizations.

As long as a pup or kitten weighs more than two pounds and is 8 weeks old, he or she can be neutered or spayed. Many veterinarians practice safe early sterilization. Some of the many benefits of early sterilization: faster healing and recovery time, and the earlier a pet is spayed or neutered, the less chance of developing a number of serious diseases and disorders. For example, a female spayed before her first heat (six to nine months of age) has one-seventh the risk of developing mammary cancer as does an intact female.

In the 1970s, the veterinary medical and other animal protection communities began questioning the standard age minimum of six months for surgical neutering of dogs and cats. Altering pets between 6 and 7 months was based more on tradition than on medical reasons. Among reasons to revisit the minimum age: many young animals were being adopted out of shelters without being neutered at the time of adoption. Unfortunately, some adopters failed to abide by their adoption contracts that called for them to have the adopted pets neutered, resulting in more litters of unwanted animals.

Some veterinarians began practicing early-age sterilization in the 1970s when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques became available. With the advent of early-age procedures, shelters were able to have young animals neutered before or at adoption. There has been no evidence of increased risks to cats or dogs sterilized as early as eight weeks of age. An increasing number of shelters and animal rescue groups have adopted the practice of early-age neuter/spay, enabling them to make sure all of their adopted animals are sterilized.