Note – we are discussing only female dogs here, for a specific chat on the neutering of male dogs, see our blog: Should I castrate my dog?
So, you’ve chosen a female dog (bitch) to join your family. If you’re not planning on breeding, the obvious choice is to have them spayed, yes? Well, it seems that more and more people are now choosing to avoid what they see as an unnecessary operation thus removing the risk of potential side effects.
So, what is the right decision for you and your pet? We’ll discuss what’s involved and some pros and cons you may not have considered to make sure you’re in the know.
Spaying your dog is an operation that removes all or some sexual organs (ie: ovaries, uterus or both, depending on your vet) in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
It’s not clear on what is the agreed age to spay your bitch. Different vets have different opinions, and it can also depend on the breed, so they will consult with you on when they think is best. It will also depend on when your dog’s season (period) was, to make sure she isn’t already pregnant, or showing signs of false pregnancy (quite common in dogs.)
The operation is done under general anaesthetic and usually costs somewhere between £150-£350. The recovery time to heal from the incisions can be up to about 2 weeks post-op.
So, other than the certainty that my bitch won’t get pregnant, what are the other advantages to having my dog spayed?
- Reduced cancer risk
Without a uterus or ovaries, the risk of cancer in those areas is prevented. There is also evidence to suggest that mammary cancer is highly reduced.
- Less messy
Bitches in season will bleed, some much more than others. Precautions such as doggy nappies or isolating them to spaces where there are wipeable surfaces will be necessary which isn’t always easy.
- Unwanted attention
Walking your dog becomes much more of a task when your girl is in season. The spike in hormones can make her, and other dogs, more irrational and aggressive than usual and sometimes uncontrollable. Not to mention that male dogs will be very persistent with her, so much more caution is needed when out and about. Spaying your bitch so she doesn’t have seasons will reduce the risk of this from happening.
- Some studies suggest that spaying can increase the lifespan of your dog.
What are the potential disadvantages?
- Operation stress
Some argue that if you can manage all the above, there’s no need to put your dog through the operation. They must go under general anaesthetic (of which there is always an element of risk), their wounds will be sore for at least a few days afterwards, and some dogs may find the experience traumatic.
- Metabolism issues
Spaying will reduce her metabolism, but you can manage this. All dogs, spayed or not need high quality diet and exercise, so make sure you find the right balance for her.
- Some studies have found that spaying before complete bone growth can lead to an increased risk of cruciate injury due to the hormonal system’s vital role in growth and development.
Like most things in life, the decision to have your dog spayed is nuanced, and very much down to individual choice. There certainly is never a “one size fits all” to the procedure, but we do recommend doing plenty of research and, of course, having a chat with your vet if you are in two minds.
