When you can get your dog de-sexed
- Dogs can be de-sexed from six months of age.
- If a female dog (bitch) is in season, de-sexing can be done four weeks after. To learn more about this, speak to your vet.
What you need to do
Book a de-sexing appointment with a vet. You can find a vet through the Yellow Pages.
Only a veterinarian is allowed to perform a de-sexing operation. To know more about surgical procedure offences and provisions, see the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Cost of de-sexing
The cost varies among vets.
What happens during and after de-sexing procedure
- The vet will remove your dog's reproductive organs while it is under an anaesthetic.
- You will be able to take your dog home the same day, unless the vet advises you otherwise.
Benefits of de-sexing your dog
De-sexing does not change the personality of your dog. It makes them more sociable and easier to train and handle.
Health benefits
- De-sexed dogs generally live longer, healthier lives and have a lower risk of getting various cancers and diseases of the reproductive organs.
- Male dogs have no risk of testicular cancer.
- De-sexing prevents the male dog's prostate gland from enlarging, removing their discomfort when urinating and defecating.
- Female dogs (bitches) have a lower risk of getting mammary cancer, cystic ovaries, prostatic disease, perianal tumours, perianal hamias and acute uterine infections.
- Bitches have no risk of pyometra, a life-threatening womb infection.
- Bitches have a lower risk of false pregnancies (showing pregnancy symptoms without carrying puppies)
If you have a good reason not to de-sex your female dog, keep her securely confined when in season.
Behavioural benefits
- Dogs are less likely to wander, roam or stray and are therefore less likely to be hurt in road accidents.
- Dogs are less likely to be aggressive and are easier to train.
- De-sexing will prevent male dogs from searching for bitches in season and fighting with other dogs.
- Male dogs are less likely to behave anti-socially, e.g. mount people's legs and mark their territory.
De-sexing helps control overpopulation of dogs
De-sexing eliminates reproductive drive in dogs. This reduces the number of unwanted puppies. Strays and surrendered animals can overpopulate animal shelters.