Neutering
pets
Neutering is a surgical procedure to remove your pet's reproductive organs. As well as the obvious benefit of preventing reproduction, it can significantly reduce their chances of developing mammary tumours and pyometras (infection of the uterus) in females and males developing prostate problems and testicular tumours later in life. Once your pet has been neutered, you may need to reduce the amount of food they require as it is quite common for neutered pets to gain a little weight due to the reduction in hormones.
Cats are usually neutered from 4 months of age.
Most dogs can be neutered from 6 months of age but it is important to speak to us as this is breed/behaviour dependent and we may recommend waiting a little depending on the circumstances.
Female dogs can be neutered before their first season but if they have had one, you should wait 3 months from the end of the season before neutering.
Rabbits can be neutered from the age of 4 months especially in mixed sex groups to prevent accidental mating.
Guinea Pigs are only generally neutered if being kept in mixed groups and it is usually the male that is castrated. This can be done from 4 months of age when the testicles are visible. Neutering males will not help if they are fighting and they will need to be housed separately from each other. Guinea pigs are sociable animals though and should be kept together in pairs or small groups. The best mixes are two males, two females or a neutered male with one or more females.