Why Do Female Dogs Get Spayed?

Reviewed By Tom •  Updated: 09/23/22 •  3 min read
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Why Do Female Dogs Get Spayed?

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When you have a female dog, you have to consider what would happen if she became pregnant and had puppies. That means you would be responsible for your dog and her puppies. That would mean providing the puppies with medical care, food, and more while they’re with you. And you’d also have the responsibility to find them good furever homes!

For pet parents who don’t want to be responsible for puppies and more, they need to need having their female dog spayed. This is why female dogs get spayed.

What is Spaying?

Spaying is a surgical procedure that’s done on female dogs. During the surgery, the vet removes the dog’s ovaries and uterus. Without these organs, the dog no longer has the ability to become pregnant and give birth to puppies.

This procedure is major surgery and means your fur baby will have a longer recovery time than a male dog that’s neutered.

What are the Benefits of Spaying a Female Dog?

The main benefit is that your canine companion won’t have unwanted puppies that become part of the pet overpopulation problem. In addition, there are some other health benefits for the female dog, including:

Reduces risk of some medical issues: including mammary gland cancer and pyometra (an infection of the uterus that can be life-threatening)

No more heat cycles: your female dog will no longer have to deal with heat cycles that make her feel unsettled and the center of attention to all male dogs in the area.

No more mess in the house: when your dog has been spayed, she will no longer have a bloody discharge that can be pretty messy in the house. That means no more cleaning up and no longer using doggie sanitary pads.

When Is It Time to Spay Your Dog?

Dog breeds tend to mature at different ages, so it’s best to ask your vet when it’s the right time to spay your fur baby. In many cases, a female dog may be spayed after she’s eight weeks old and before her first heat cycle.

The first heat cycle may start around the time a female dog reaches the age of six to seven months (depending on her dog breed). However, things are a little different with full-grown dogs. Vets usually will not spay a dog when she’s in heat. That’s because more blood flows to this area of the body during your dog’s heat cycle.

Summing It Up

So, there you have it! Female dogs are spayed to keep them from having unwanted puppies. And there are certain health benefits for the dog if she’s spayed.

If you have questions about having your dog spayed, be sure to contact your vet.

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Tom

Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!