February 25th, 2025 is World Spay Day!
Did You Know?
- Cats can reach sexual maturity and start reproducing at 4 months of age.
- The average litter size for cats is 4-6 kittens.
- One female cat can have 2-3 litters per year. An unaltered female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens over the course of 7 years.
- Most dogs (depending on breed) reach sexual maturity between 6-9 months of age.
- The average litter size for dogs is 6-10.
- One female dog can have 2 litters per year. An unaltered female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in 6 years.
- Cats and dogs don’t experience menopause like humans do, and can theoretically get pregnant from the age of sexual maturity through the rest of their lives (cats average 15 years, dogs average 12 years)
- Healthy kittens and puppies can safely be spayed/neutered as young as 8 weeks of age.
Benefits of Spay/Neuter
Medical Benefits: Spaying before your female pets first heat cycle can decrease the chance of uterine infections and mammary tumors, whereas neutering males has shown to decrease instances of prostate and testicular issues.
Behavioral Benefits: Spaying can prevent the disruptive behaviors that come with heat cycles– bloody discharge, yowling, frequent/inappropriate urination, etc. Neutering males reduces their urge to mark their territory by spraying or urinating, showing aggression or mounting other animals. It can also lessen their desire to wander away from home in search of mates.
Cost Benefits: The cost of spaying/neutering your pets early is more cost effective than either having to care for a surprise litter (or two), treating future infections, or having to replace furniture or property damaged by unwanted behaviors.
What Are the Risks?
As with any medical procedure there are some risks involved with being under anesthesia, however the risks are generally very low. The older your pet gets, the higher the risk of surgical complications and the longer the recovery may take. Talk to your vet and make sure you also understand the proper after care that your pet needs following spay/neuter to avoid infections or complications. This may include limiting activity for a few days, making sure the incision site stays clean and dry, and keeping an eye out for any redness or swelling. While most animals will be back to their usual selves within a couple of days, expect lots of rest and recovery after surgery!
Doing your part as a pet owner by making sure your pets are spayed or neutered can drastically help decrease the number of unwanted litters that end up in shelters each year. In 2024, over 42% of the 7,300+ animal that came through our doors received spay/neuter services. Help us End the Cycle!
Check out the American Animal Hospital Association, ASPCA, or American Veterinary Medical Association for more info on spaying/neutering your pets. 
