Common practices for adopting dogs include spaying and neutering at a young age. This procedure is justified as a way to decrease animal homelessness from free mating and staving off certain undesirable behaviors.

In female dogs, the concept of spaying can be confusing as certain health benefits are improved while the risk of complications from the actual surgery itself are frequent.

The following information derives from a meta analysis preformed by Laura J. Sanborn, M.S. in 2007:

When female dogs are spayed before 2.5 years of age, the risk of mammary tumors, the most common malignant tumors in female dogs [especially if  spayed younger than 30 months old], is greatly reduced.

Spaying nearly eliminates the risk of pyometra which otherwise would affect about 23% of intact female dogs; pyometra kills about 1% of intact female dogs. The already small risk of developing uterine, cervical, and ovarian tumors (≤0.5%) is removed. Lastly, just like with male dogs, the risk of perianal fistulas is reduced.

10 Reasons You Should Not Spay Your FEMALE Dog

[Read more…] about 10 Reasons You Should Not Spay Your Female Dog

Pet parents are strongly advised to spay/neuter their puppies and kittens as early as possible for health reasons, behavior control and population control. Most responsible people living with pets believe neutering and spaying is important to reduce the risk of certain diseases or to avoid contributing to homeless animals due to free mating.

But, how valid are these reasons for neutering and spaying our dogs? Are there health risks or benefits to waiting for our animals to age, not spaying/neutering at all, or alternative surgeries? [Read more…] about 10 Good Reasons You Should Not Neuter Your Male Dog