Historically Four to Five months of age has been the recommended optimal age to have your pet spayed or neutered. This is because cats and dogs are more likely to develop malignant mammary tumors (cancer) if they are spayed after their first heat cycle. With each heat cycle the potential to reduce mammary cancer through spay decreases significantly. Most cats and dogs have their first heat cycle at about six months of age, but some do have their first heat cycle even younger. This not only means the risk of mammary cancer starts growing, but dogs and cats as early as 5 months have the potential to procreate. Thus, spaying and neutering companion animals at four months old will not only help prevent health problems later in life but will also help prevent unplanned litters and pet overpopulation.
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