Spay & Neuter FAQs

Are you contemplating getting your pet spayed or neutered but feel unsure about specific aspects of the procedure? Our veterinary team at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital in Alexandria, VA, is here to answer frequently asked questions about the spaying and neutering procedure and its effects on your pet. Gain peace of mind through answers informed by our decades of surgical experience and veterinary care.

At What Age Should Pets Be Spayed or Neutered?

Your vet near you will typically recommend scheduling spay or neuter procedures for cats and dogs at around 5-6 months old. Your pet will usually finish crucial developmental growth aided by hormones by this point. Spaying your female pet before its initial heat cycle also nearly eliminates its risk for future mammary cancer. Your veterinarian can advise when your pet should get spayed or neutered based on its breed size, health status, and other factors.

Does Spaying or Neutering Cause Pets to Gain Weight?

Spay and neuter procedures alone do not make your pet gain weight. However, the drop in sex hormone levels often slightly reduces a pet's metabolic rate. Avoid significant weight gain by feeding your spayed or neutered pet 25-30% less food post-surgery and maintaining an active lifestyle through walks and play sessions.

Will Spaying or Neutering Impact My Pet’s Personality?

Your pet’s personality and baseline temperament should remain unchanged after getting fixed. However, neutered male pets often exhibit less roaming, territorial marking, and aggression issues influenced by sex hormones and instincts to breed. Female heat cycles also cease post-spay, eliminating associated restlessness, vocalizing, and mood changes every six months. Spaying or neutering provides several beneficial behavioral changes while keeping your pet’s personality intact.

Does Spaying or Neutering Increase Health Risks?

Spay and neuter procedures offer considerable health benefits that outweigh the risks of surgery. Spaying or neutering your pet eliminates pregnancy and birth complications while substantially lowering its risk of several cancers, such as testicular and mammary cancer. Discuss specific procedure concerns with the pet care specialists at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital in Alexandria, VA, to choose the optimal surgery age for your pet’s breed and disposition. We specialize in safe and gentle pediatric and geriatric spay or neuter surgeries.

See Your Veterinarian Near You at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital to Spay or Neuter Your Pet Today

Spaying or neutering your pet eliminates its risk of having an unwanted pregnancy while significantly reducing the risk of several health conditions, so contact Fort Hunt Animal Hospital in Alexandria, VA, to learn more about protecting your furry friend through this quick, routine surgery. Our pet care will keep your pet healthy and happy, so call us and schedule an appointment today at (703) 360-6100.