When Can My Pet Get Spayed or Neutered?

Spaying and neutering is an important procedure that can provide many positive benefits to your pet over the course of their lives. While a healthy pet can be spayed or neutered at any age, it’s important to time the procedure correctly to maximize health benefits and minimize side effects. Read on for the Lovet perspective on when to get your puppy or kitten spayed or neutered.

Spay vs. Neuter

When vets say spay and neuter, sometimes called “fixing”, they mean the surgical process of removing certain reproductive organs from a dog or cat. When a pet is spayed or neutered, it offers long-term benefits to their behavior and health — in addition to preventing unwanted puppies and kittens from being born. 

Spay refers to the removal of a female pet’s ovaries and uterus. Neuter refers to the removal of a male pet’s testes. Both procedures remove the pet’s ability to reproduce, in addition to removing the source of reproductive hormones.

Why Spaying and Neutering is Important

Spaying and neutering pets creates positive effects in multiple areas, including: 

Better behavior

Fixed pets tend to be more affectionate, with fewer behavioral problems and bothersome behaviors like spraying, yowling, and roaming the neighborhood.

Better health

Pets that are spayed or neutered tend to live longer, healthier lives than pets that haven’t. It eliminates the risk of developing serious health conditions like ovarian or testicular cancer and an infection of the uterus called pyometra, as well as significantly reduces the chances of developing others.

Better community

Spaying and neutering pets prevents the births of thousands of unwanted pets, reducing crowding in shelters and related euthanizations. Spaying and neutering your pet also reduces the likelihood of roaming and other heat-related behaviors, which can be bothersome to you and your neighbors.

When to Spay or Neuter Your Puppy or Kitten

For maximum benefits to your pet’s health, spaying or neutering is generally recommended to be performed whenever your puppy or kitten has finished growing and is considered an adult. For kittens, that’s usually between five to six months of age. For puppies, it depends on the breed and size: around six months for small breeds and between 12 to 18 months for large breeds. Your Lovet vet will provide advice on when the timing is right for your pet. 
 


Reproductive organs play an important role in the healthy growth and development of a young pet by producing hormones that help strengthen bones, develop the brain, and more. Once your pet is an adult, however, reproductive organs can do more harm than good, so spaying and neutering removes the source of behavioral problems and serious health conditions before they have a chance to appear. 

Did you know? Lovet offers 10% off a spay or neuter procedure, as well as discounts on other essential young pet services, as part of our Puppy and Kitten Packages! Ask your Lovet team how to sign up.

_{Disclaimer: Offer can not be combined with other discounts. 10% discount on spay/neuter for all puppy/kitten packages, based on the doctor's recommendation.}

How Old is Too Old to be Spayed or Neutered?

If you have an older dog or cat that has not yet been spayed or neutered, it’s not too late! The positive effects of spaying and neutering don’t have an age limit. However, there are some important things that influence when to neuter a cat or dog. 

Spaying and neutering is usually done in younger pets to maximize the benefits as well as take advantage of their resiliency at that age. It’s easy for a puppy to bounce back quickly from an invasive surgery like a spay, but an older dog may need more recovery time and care to achieve the same results. Regardless of your pet’s age, your Lovet vet will do a thorough examination and let you know of any health concerns that may impact your pet’s procedure or recovery. If you have concerns about how spaying or neutering will affect your older pet’s health, your Lovet team is here to help.

Where Can You Spay or Neuter Pets?

Spaying and neutering is a routine surgical procedure that can be done at your trusted veterinarian’s office. It’s one of the standard services we offer at Lovet! Spays and neuters are usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you’ll bring your pet home on the same day that you drop them off.  
 


Typically, your vet will want to schedule a check-up appointment to examine your pet before the procedure is scheduled to ensure your pet is healthy and ready for surgery. Usually, this means you and your pet will have two total visits: the pre-surgical exam check-up and the surgery itself. In some cases, however, spays and neuters can be performed on the same day as the exam. Just call your preferred Lovet location to speak with the team before making the check-up appointment. Don’t forget: you can pay for services like spays and neuters over time with financing options through Lovet Pay.

Your Partner in Vet Care

At Lovet, we know that the choice to spay and neuter your pets can feel like a big one. But it’s a responsible choice you should feel good about, regardless of the age of your pet. When you choose to partner with Lovet, you’re choosing over 40 years of clinical expertise and experience in performing spay and neuter procedures. We’ll work with you to determine when your pet can be spayed or neutered depending on their health, breed, and age, and create a personalized care plan to ensure they’ll get the best outcomes. Click here to find a location and schedule your pre-surgical check-up appointment today using our convenient online scheduling! 

_{Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.}