How Dogs and Cats Benefit from Spays & Neuters in Wilton, NY

Spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats are good for your pet, good for you, and good for the greater pet community of Wilton, NY. Surgery offers your pet protection from deadly reproductive diseases; it helps reduce undesirable behaviors, giving you a more attentive pet; and it prevents unwanted litters, giving current shelter pets a better chance at being adopted. At Saratoga Veterinary Hospital, we’ll help you determine the right time for spaying and neutering your pet so they receive the most benefits from surgery.

Call us today at (518) 587-3832 for a spay and neuter consultation with our experts.

kitten with veterinary cone around their neck
puppy on leash
two kittens

When is the Best Time to Spay or Neuter Your Pet?

The best time for spay/neuter surgery varies between breeds and genders. For instance, female cats and dogs have the greatest reduced risk of developing mammary gland tumors if they are spayed before their first heat cycle. Another example is larger breed dogs that often benefit from a later surgery, due to the fact that their reproductive hormones play an important role in controlling their growth. Therefore, we may wait to spay/neuter your large breed dog until they are 12-18 months old.

lindsey and koda

A Closer Look at the Benefits

Your pet will experience a whole lot of benefits with their spay and neuter surgery. Here’s what you can expect:

  • A spayed cat or dog will have significantly less risk of developing mammary tumors, most of which are malignant in cats and half of which are malignant in dogs.
  • Cat and dog neutering results in a reduced risk of prostate problems.
  • Spaying eliminates a female’s risk of developing uterine, ovarian, and cervical cancers.
  • Neutering eliminates a male’s risk of developing testicular cancer.
  • Spayed dogs and cats have no risk of pyometra, a serious and often deadly uterine infection.
  • Neutered dogs and cats are less likely to exhibit urine spraying, mounting, and aggressive behaviors.
  • Spaying eliminates heat cycles, which can be a messy and frustrating experience.
  • Spaying and neutering your females and males decreases their desire to escape and roam to find a mate, a behavior that often puts them in harm’s way (car accidents, wild animal encounters, etc.).