I just adopted a 6-month-old puppy, and I’ve been hearing a lot of different opinions about when I should get her spayed. Some people say to do it early, others say to wait until after her first heat. I just want to make sure I’m doing what’s best for her long-term health. What’s the right age to spay a female dog?
What is spaying?
Spaying a female dog is when a vet surgically removes the ovaries and uterus (or just the ovaries), which stops the dog being able to have puppies or come into season. Bitches can be spayed from about six months old, but there are some good reasons to hang on for a bit longer if you can.
Why wait to spay?
For large dog breeds, hormones have an important role to play in bone growth and formation, so waiting until your bitch is 18 months - 2 years old can reduce the risk of problems such as hip dysplasia and some cancers as they age. Hormones also play a part in allowing your dog to emotionally mature, so waiting to spay your dog until they start showing signs of growing up can be a better option.
What to expect when your bitch is in season
Waiting to spay your dog may mean she experiences her first few seasons with you, so it’s good to be prepared. A season lasts approximately three weeks. During this time she may produce drops of blood, this is normal, but you may want to use covers and throws on any soft furnishings to protect them. Most bitches keep themselves quite clean through licking.
Her behaviour may also change. It’s not uncommon for bitches to feel vulnerable before and during their season, so she may not want to meet other dogs and be more sensitive to being handled. At some point during her season, she might become very interested in male dogs! It’s ok not to walk her during this time, instead you can exercise her in the garden, or even hire a private field. In addition, you’ll need to be aware of male dogs around her, as they’ll become very interested in her too! If you do decide to go for walks, be sure to have two people walking her in a place where there aren’t many dogs, and dogs are kept on a lead.Risks of not spaying your bitch
Pregnancy is an obvious risk of not spaying your dog. It’s not responsible to breed your bitch unless she has a lovely temperament, you have completed all the recommended health checks for the breed, found a suitable stud dog, and secured suitable future-homes for the pups.
Another risk of not spaying your bitch is an infection of the uterus called pyometra. Symptoms of pyometra include discharge and excessively licking the vulva. Other pyometra symptoms are more subtle, such as lethargy and drinking more water than normal.
Unspayed bitches may also be at a higher risk of mammary tumours, so regular health checks from the vet are a must as an unspayed dog ages.
Each time your dog has a season, she may have what is called a phantom pregnancy. This can be a sad time for many bitches as they can become depressed, lethargic and even produce milk. You can seek veterinary advice to get medication that will stop your dog from producing milk.My dog has already had a season, can I still get her spayed?
Don’t worry if your dog has already had a season—it’s still safe to spay her, but vets usually wait a few months after her season ends to reduce surgery risks. If you’re unsure about the best timing, your vet can give you tailored advice based on your dog’s breed and lifestyle.
Once spayed, your dog may gain weight a bit more easily than before, so keep an eye on what you feed her!
Clearly, there are many benefits to spaying your dog, but it’s good to wait if you can. It’s important to discuss spaying with your vet to decide the best time for neutering. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about recovery times and risks specific to your dog’s breed.
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