Desexing Information for Dogs and Cats

Speying your female pet (ovariohysterectomy)

(Removal of the ovaries and uterus)

Ideal age is 5 to 6 months.

• Eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.
• Eliminates unwanted pregnancies.
• If spayed before the first heat cycle, your pet has a less than 1 percent chance of developing breast cancer. If spayed after one heat cycle, your pet has an 8 percent chance of developing breast cancer.
• If spayed after two heat cycles, the risk increases to 26 percent. After two years, no protective benefit exists.
• Pets with diabetes or epilepsy should be spayed to prevent hormonal changes that may interfere with medication.

Castration of your male pet

(Removal of the testicles and spermatic cord)

Ideal age is 5 to 6 months.

• Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, the second most common tumour in male dogs.
• Greatly reduces the risk of prostate disease and prostatitis.
• Reduces the risk of peri-anal tumours.
• Reduces roaming and fighting.
• Eliminates or reduces spraying or marking in males neutered before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviours.
• Eliminates the risk and spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Eliminates unwanted litters.

Common myths

Speying or castrating your pet does not:

• Cause laziness or hyperactivity
• Reduce its instinct to protect your family and home
• Cause immature behaviours
• Postpone or delay normal behavioural maturity
• Alter its personality in any manner