Why is 4-6 months the "ideal" age to spay a puppy?

Question

Will it really be more traumatic/harmful to do it at 7/8 months?
With paying for summer camp, my finances are already stretched, but should I just find a way to do it now, or can I wait another month or 6 weeks without causing my puppy harm? please, no "if you can't afford to take proper care of the puppy, you shouldn't have her" responses.

Answer 1

Okay... you can spay/neuter whenever you want, but it is surgery... which means it will be traumatic.

I wouldn't say 4-6 months is ideal, but people don't want to hassel... Waiting until they are older, growth plates are closed, hormones aren't needed anymore- it is a hassel. With girls you will have heat cycles, you have to keep them away from other dogs, etc.

Since it is hard to get the majority to spay/neuter because of stupid beliefs- like " I can't do that to him- I'm a guy and I wouldn't want to have someone do that to me, etc." or "It is more natural for a dog to get pregnant and have puppies (even if I can't find homes for them and dump them in a field), etc."

So most vets/shelters, etc. preach to get it done early, so people will actually do it.

Educated people research and discover what they think is best for their dog, and then they do it accordingly.

So, no- it won't kill your dog to wait until 7/8 months or longer to get spayed, but I'd do it before 2 yrs. of age.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I don't know how old your puppy is now, but plan for getting her spayed. Ask your vet if you can put money down on an account and work off of a credit balance. You should get your dog spayed at around 6 months because their reproduction organs are developed enough to be removed but not old enough to go into heat yet. Your taking your chances "waiting." A male dog will search out a female dog in heat and you don't NEED puppies.

Answer 3

It shouldn't be a problem to wait until they are 7/8 months I know some people who think it is much better to wait until a year. I am still a firm believer in 6 months getting spayed but the dog will be fine if you wait a couple more months just be sure to get it done and keep her away from male dogs when she begins to go into heat you don't want a pregnant dog.

Answer 4

Dogs and cats become sexually mature at 6 months. If your dog is male this means it will start to spray its urine to mark its territory. Since you said spay I am assuming you have a female. in that case it is okay to wait until she is 7/8 months, as long as you keep her from other dogs...unless you want more puppies. (She may go into her first "heat" around 6-7 months of age) ALso, there is a place that can help you with paying to spay/neuter. its called the Woodstock foundation and they can give you vouchers to spay or neuter your pet. I have never tried it, but you can google it and see if you can find out more. this may help you get it taken care of at the "ideal" time. Check out the pdf file in the source box below.

Answer 5

It's not so much that it's traumatic, but the surgery is more complicated after her first heat cycle, which usually occurs in the 6th month. 5-6 months is best because she has completed most of her developmental growth and is strong enough for surgery, but her reproductive organs have not yet matured, which means there is no increased blood supply or inflammation of the area.

You can spay a dog at any time, but the benefits of spaying her before her first estrus are great. Not only is the surgery itself less complicated, but statistically, spaying a dog before the first heat cuts her chances of mammary adenocarcinoma later in life by about 98%.

Answer 6

It's better to do it by or before 6 months as many dogs can go into their first heat at this age. Not all will, but entirely possible. By spaying your dog prior to the first heat, you greatly reduce the risk of any cancers or other issues showing up later down the line than if you allow one heat to occur before spaying.

So tho your dog will be fine to wait, there is a higher risk to waiting and you also may find yourself dealing with a dog in heat, which is not fun either. You'll have to hover your dog when she's in season to assure no unwanted males get to her.

Answer 7

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is 4-6 months the "ideal" age to spay a puppy?
Will it really be more traumatic/harmful to do it at 7/8 months?
With paying for summer camp, my finances are already stretched, but should I just find a way to do it now, or can I wait another month or 6 weeks without causing my puppy harm? please, no "if you can't afford to take...

Answer 8

Depending on the breed and its sexual maturity, if you wait too long you have a better chance of her coming into heat before she's spayed. Then you run the risk of her getting pregnant, thus adding more unwanted puppies to a world already full of homeless animals. Also, despite the myths out there, allowing her one heat cycle can increase the risk of health problems. The sooner you get it done the less chance of these things happening.

Answer 9

Puppies heal faster from the surgery when they are younger. Also, spaying or neutering before they're six months old guarantees that they won't go through puppy puberty which can cause some behavior changes and/or problems (think teenager).

Answer 10

It is best to spay a puppy 3 months after her first season as then she has less chance of being incontinent. I dont think it is traumatic at all. Both my bitches have been spayed and were as happy as ever the next day!