Getting ready to spay or neuter your pet? Here are some guidelines on what to expect.
Most veterinary healthcare teams begin discussing spay and neuter with their clients during the puppy and kitten visits.
These are just a few things to consider.
One question that is frequently asked is "When do I spay or neuter my pet?". This decision can vary a lot based on the type of pet. While general guidance is available, ask your veterinarian what is right for your pet.
General Guidance
Did you know? Spaying or neutering your dog or cat reduces their risk for uterine infections, mammary cancer, testicular cancer and prostate disease.1 It also minimizes many potential behavioral issues, from fighting to marking their territory.1-3
Your veterinarian will give you detailed instructions about your pet’s upcoming spay or neuter procedure, including pre-procedure recommendations. Most veterinarians advise not letting your adult pet have any food after midnight before the procedure, although they may permit a certain amount of food for a puppy or kitten.1
Pets generally go home the same day as being spayed or neutered, or sometimes the morning after the procedure. You should receive post-procedure care instructions for your pet from your veterinary healthcare team.
Make sure your dog or cat has a quiet, comfortable indoor spot, just for them. Try to keep your pet from licking or pawing at the surgical site; if your dog or cat persists in licking, use an Elizabethan collar. Keep an eye on your pet’s incision to ensure there is no discharge, redness or excessive swelling. If you do notice any of these signs, or if your pet seems overly uncomfortable or lethargic, contact your veterinarian immediately.1
Having your pet spayed or neutered provides many medical and behavioral benefits for your pet and your life together.1–3 But your pet’s metabolism also slows down after the spay or neuter procedure. This means your pet requires fewer calories per day than they did before the procedure. And that can be hard to balance, since the procedure also causes an increase in appetite. These changes can begin as early as three days after the spay or neuter procedure.4
After being spayed or neutered, your pet's risk of becoming obese increases, either doubling for dogs5 and tripling for cats.6
Of course your pet’s weight doesn’t change how much you love them. But obesity in dogs and cats can lead to diseases and conditions that reduce a pet’s quality of life and can even shorten their life span, such as:
Part of caring for your pet after spay or neuter means making sure their diet meets their needs. After your pet is spayed or neutered, their needs change significantly. To avoid placing extra stress on your pet, wait until your pet has fully healed from surgery before making a change to their diet (generally 10–14 days post-procedure).
Your pet needs nutritional support designed to satisfy their appetite and support a healthy metabolism.
VETERINARY HPM® Pet Food does exactly that by:
Need help selecting the right diet for your pet? Take our quiz »
Did you know? An increase in protein can naturally cause your pet to drink more water. Always make sure your dog or cat has plenty of fresh drinking water.
When beginning a new food, it is recommended to make the switch gradually. Start by introducing the new food as a small part of your pet’s regularly scheduled meals. You may increase the ratio of new to old food over a period of five consecutive days, until your dog or cat is fully transitioned to VETERINARY HPM® Pet Food.