At what age should I spay/neuter my pet? Part 2 in a series by Doc T
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What is the best age to spay my cat?
Cats should probably be spayed as soon as they finish their vaccination series in order to do it before they come in heat. In the rescue/humane society world they are often spayed much earlier but most veterinarians in private practice prefer to wait until at least four months of age.
When should my dog be spayed?
There is some disagreement about the best age for dog spays. The majority of veterinarians prefer to do the surgery before the first heat-about four to six months of age. This virtually eliminates the chances of breast tumors. There are some studies that suggest allowing the dog to have one heat will reduce the incidence of urinary incontinence that is sometimes seen in older spayed females and may be better in terms of skeletal development. This is an issue that should be discussed with your veterinarian.
