Optimal Age for Spaying Your Dog: What You Need to Know

Having your female dog spayed provides a variety of benefits including preventing life threatening cancers, curbing behavior problems and helping control the overall pet population. While veterinarians examine dogs on an individual basis before approving the surgery, most puppies can safely undergo the spaying procedure as young as eight weeks old. (

Benefits of Spaying Puppies

Although veterinarians used to ask owners wait until a dog reached six months old or older before undergoing the spaying surgery, according to Web M.D., no evidence exists demonstrating any benefits for delaying the procedure. In fact, veterinarians now recommend owners spay their dogs before the six month mark --the time when female dogs begin going into heat and can get pregnant. Dogs spayed at a younger age also recover quicker from the surgery and experience fewer complications than older dogs that undergo the procedure.

Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.