Understanding Desexing: When, Why, and What’s Right for Your Pet
At My Kind of Vet, we know that deciding when — or whether — to desex your pet is a personal choice.
There’s no single “right” answer, and every pet’s situation is different.
Our job is to help you understand your options so you can make the decision that best suits your pet’s health, breed, and lifestyle.
What Is Desexing?
Desexing — also known as speying for females and castrating for males — is a common surgical procedure performed under general anaesthesia to prevent pets from breeding.
It’s one of the most frequently performed surgeries in veterinary medicine, and when done safely and at the right time, it can support your pet’s long-term health and behaviour.
You can read more about our approach to safe, high-quality procedures on our 👉 Surgery & Anaesthesia page.
When Is the Best Age to Desex?
There isn’t one set age that fits all pets. The ideal timing depends on your pet’s size, breed, and individual development.
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Small and medium breed dogs: generally around 6–9 months
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Large and giant breeds: often benefit from waiting until 12–18 months, once they’re fully grown
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Cats: usually between 4–6 months, before reaching sexual maturity
During your consultation, we’ll assess your pet’s growth and discuss the timing that offers the best balance between health, development, and hormonal maturity.
If you have a new puppy or kitten, our 👉 Puppy & Kitten Care
page explains how we help set young pets up for a lifetime of good health.
Alternative Options: Chemical Desexing (Suprelorin® Implant)
For some dogs, especially males, chemical desexing can be a good short-term alternative to surgery.
The Suprelorin® implant is a small, hormone-releasing chip placed under the skin (similar to a microchip) that temporarily suppresses testosterone and fertility.
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It lasts 6–12 months, depending on the implant used.
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It’s fully reversible once the implant wears off.
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It can be useful if you want to delay surgical castration or trial behaviour changes first.
Chemical desexing doesn’t replace surgery for all dogs, but it offers flexibility for owners who are undecided, want to postpone surgery, or have health reasons to avoid anaesthesia at that time.
We can discuss whether this option is suitable for your dog during a consult.
The Benefits of Desexing
For many pets, desexing can have significant health and behavioural benefits, including:
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Reduced risk of certain cancers and infections (like pyometra, mammary tumours, or testicular cancer)
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Fewer hormone-driven behaviours such as roaming, marking, or aggression
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Prevention of unwanted litters and reproductive stress
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Easier management in multi-pet households
Every pet is unique — which is why we always discuss your individual situation before booking surgery.
You can learn more about our approach on the 👉 Desexing Services page.
The Impact of Not Desexing
Choosing not to desex your pet is also a valid choice — but it’s important to understand the potential health and behavioural implications so you can monitor for problems early.
In Females (Entire Dogs & Cats):
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Pyometra — a serious, life-threatening infection of the uterus that often requires emergency surgery.
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Mammary (breast) tumours — risk increases with each heat cycle; early desexing dramatically reduces the risk.
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Phantom pregnancies or hormonal changes that can cause nesting, anxiety, and behavioural shifts.
In Males:
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Prostate enlargement and inflammation, leading to difficulty urinating or defecating.
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Perineal hernias and testicular cancer.
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Hormone-driven behaviour, such as aggression, marking, or escaping to find females in season.
Some of these issues can be managed, but they’re easier — and often cheaper — to prevent than to treat later.
Respecting Different Beliefs and Opinions
We understand that not everyone feels the same way about desexing.
Some people have cultural, ethical, or personal reasons for delaying or choosing not to desex their pet.
At My Kind of Vet, we respect those beliefs.
Our role is to share current veterinary evidence, help you weigh up your options, and provide the same level of care and respect regardless of your decision.
If you’d like to read more general guidelines, you can visit the 👉 Australian Veterinary Association’s Desexing Information page.
What to Expect if You Choose Surgery
If you decide to go ahead with a spey or castrate procedure, your pet will receive gold-standard surgical care, including:
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Pre-anaesthetic blood testing to ensure safety
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Tailored anaesthetic and pain management plans
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Constant monitoring by our qualified veterinary nurses
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Intravenous fluids and temperature support
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Comprehensive aftercare instructions and pain relief for home
We treat every surgical patient as if they were our own — with compassion, precision, and care.
Let’s Talk About What’s Right for Your Pet
If you’re unsure about when to desex your dog or cat, or whether it’s the right decision at all, we’d love to chat with you.
During a consultation, we’ll look at your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle to help you decide what’s best.
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