White and brown dog with cone on their head

Spay and Neutering for Pets

Spaying and neutering their pet is one of the essential tasks that every responsible pet owner has on their To-Do List. These procedures help prevent overpopulation and unwanted breeding. They have also been proven to cause several health benefits in patients. Essentially, spaying and neutering are surgical procedures done to remove your pet’s reproductive organs, so that they can no longer reproduce. Please contact our team to schedule a consultation where we can discuss the process in more detail, and schedule your pet’s procedure, if they have not already done so.

What is the difference between spaying and neutering?

They are basically the same type of treatment, providing the same results. After a spay or neuter surgery is performed on your furry friend, they will no longer be able to have their own offspring. Spaying is the female equivalent, while neutering is the term used for male patients.

How old should a cat/dog/pet be before they are spayed or neutered?

At Pacific Rim Veterinary Hospital, we suggest that pets are spayed or neutered before they reach sexual maturity. Cats can be spayed/neutered at around 5-months-old and above, once they have all of their primary vaccines. When it comes to our canine patients, they are usually spayed/neutered when they are 6 to 9-months-old. All things considered, each pet is different and some may be able to undergo the procedures earlier or later, depending on their unique health status.

Can my older cat/dog be spayed or neutered?

Definitely! A long-held misconception is that when pets are adults, they can no longer undergo these procedures. In reality, your pet can be spayed or neutered even into their senior years. Just remember that dogs and cats over 7-years-old need to undergo exams before their procedures, to ensure that they are good candidates for anaesthesia.