| Myths about Spaying & Neutering Holly Frisby, DVM, MS Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc. |
I heard that neutered and spayed dogs get fat and lazy. Is this true?
Spaying and neutering does change the metabolism of companion animals, so in most cases, they do not need as
much food to maintain their weight as unspayed/unneutered dogs. The problem is not with the dog - it is us. We
just tend to overfeed our dogs, and neutered/spayed dogs are more apt to put on weight because of that.
As for laziness, again, the amount of exercise our dogs receive and their activity levels are often dependent on
us. If we do not give them opportunities for play and exercise, they can become couch potatoes just like some
people. Many spayed/neutered dogs hunt, are entered in agility shows, become service dogs, and are trained in
search and rescue. These dogs are anything but lazy.
My veterinarian recommended I spay my new puppy and she is only two months
old. Is that safe?
Early spaying/neutering has been shown to be safe in multiple studies. It must be remembered that younger
animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body
temperature) during surgery. But as long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early
neutering is very safe. In fact, puppies neutered at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those
neutered when they are older.
I was told I should let my dog go through one heat before I have her spayed.
Is that what you recommend?
We recommend that dogs be spayed before they have a heat. There are several reasons for this:
Spaying a dog before her first heat is the best way to significantly reduce the chance your dog will develop
breast cancer, a common condition in female dogs. The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior
to their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second
heat.
Any heat brings with it a chance your dog could become pregnant. This would adversely affect the health of a
young dog.
A heat also brings with it the chance for accidents. Dogs in heat have been known to run through glass patio
doors, jump out of moving cars, and be hit by cars as they attempt to find a mate.
Owners of females in heat also frequently have to deal with a sudden influx of male dogs around the home and
yard. These amorous visitors leave numerous droppings, and spray plants and trees with urine in an attempt to
mark their new found territory. There is also the mess and hassle of vaginal bleeding that typically goes on for
7 to 14 days. Who wants to deal with that if they do not have to?
References and Further Reading
Rutteman, GR; Withrow, SJ; MacEwen, EG. Tumors of the mammary gland. In Withrow, SJ; MacEwen, EG (eds).
Small Animal Clinical Oncology. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2001455-477.
Spaying and neutering does change the metabolism of companion animals, so in most cases, they do not need as
much food to maintain their weight as unspayed/unneutered dogs. The problem is not with the dog - it is us. We
just tend to overfeed our dogs, and neutered/spayed dogs are more apt to put on weight because of that.
As for laziness, again, the amount of exercise our dogs receive and their activity levels are often dependent on
us. If we do not give them opportunities for play and exercise, they can become couch potatoes just like some
people. Many spayed/neutered dogs hunt, are entered in agility shows, become service dogs, and are trained in
search and rescue. These dogs are anything but lazy.
My veterinarian recommended I spay my new puppy and she is only two months
old. Is that safe?
Early spaying/neutering has been shown to be safe in multiple studies. It must be remembered that younger
animals may need different anesthetics and are more prone to hypothermia (lower than normal body
temperature) during surgery. But as long as procedures are modified to account for these differences, early
neutering is very safe. In fact, puppies neutered at a younger age often have faster recoveries than those
neutered when they are older.
I was told I should let my dog go through one heat before I have her spayed.
Is that what you recommend?
We recommend that dogs be spayed before they have a heat. There are several reasons for this:
Spaying a dog before her first heat is the best way to significantly reduce the chance your dog will develop
breast cancer, a common condition in female dogs. The risk of malignant mammary tumors in dogs spayed prior
to their first heat is 0.05%. It is 8% for dog spayed after one heat, and 26% in dogs spayed after their second
heat.
Any heat brings with it a chance your dog could become pregnant. This would adversely affect the health of a
young dog.
A heat also brings with it the chance for accidents. Dogs in heat have been known to run through glass patio
doors, jump out of moving cars, and be hit by cars as they attempt to find a mate.
Owners of females in heat also frequently have to deal with a sudden influx of male dogs around the home and
yard. These amorous visitors leave numerous droppings, and spray plants and trees with urine in an attempt to
mark their new found territory. There is also the mess and hassle of vaginal bleeding that typically goes on for
7 to 14 days. Who wants to deal with that if they do not have to?
References and Further Reading
Rutteman, GR; Withrow, SJ; MacEwen, EG. Tumors of the mammary gland. In Withrow, SJ; MacEwen, EG (eds).
Small Animal Clinical Oncology. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2001455-477.
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