Unless you are certain you are going to breed your puppy or kitten and breed it responsibly, we recommend neutering your dog or cat at approximately 4-6 months of age.  Young animals recover from surgery much faster than older adult pets.  Spaying and neutering your pet is not only to help control overpopulation of strays and unwanted animals, but to also maintain the health of your pet.  Spayed and neutered pets are at lower risk of certain diseases and live longer, healthier lives.  Behaviors such as aggression and fighting, urine marking of territories, roaming, and sexual behaviors are greatly reduced by spaying or neutering your pet.

Responsible pet owners that spay and neuter their pets help reduce the number of millions of unwanted dogs and cats that are killed in shelters every year.

Spay (Ovariohysterectomy)

Spaying a female cat or dog involves surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus under general anesthesia.  Removal of the uterus eliminates heat cycles and the associated hormones associated with breeding.  Spaying female cats or dogs reduces the chances of mammary (breast) cancer and eliminates the chance of dangerous, life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra).  Spaying puppies before their first heat cycle (by approximately 6 months of age) essentially eliminates their chance of developing mammary cancer.  Spaying pets prevents accidental pregnancies and unwanted offspring.

Neuter (Castration or Orchidectomy)

Neutering of male dogs and cats involves the surgical removal of the testicles under general anesthesia.  Neutered male dogs have reduced chance of developing prostatitis and prostatic, testicular , and rectal cancer.  Neutering male cats will decrease urine odor and urine spraying, and may decrease the risks for certain types of cancer.  By neutering male kittens before they reach sexual maturity, urine spraying can be eliminated completely.