How much does it cost to sterilise my pet? Pet sterilisation costs vary depending on a number of factors including the type of animal, its age, size and gender. Expand The cost to sterilise or de-sex your pet will vary on a number of factors including: the type of animal (e.g. dog or cat or rabbit) the age of the animal the animal's size the animal's gender whether your pet has any underlying medical conditions Your local vet will provide more accurate quotes for your pets.
Why should I sterilise or desex my pet? Pet sterilisation is the most effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and has other health, social and financial benefits. Expand Pet sterilisation is the most effective strategy to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The RSPCA receives over 125,000 animals every year and many of these unwanted animals are the result of unplanned breeding. Desexing your pet helps to ensure fewer unwanted and homeless animals, and research shows that sterilised animals can actually live longer and healthier lives. There are many health, financial and social benefits for you and your pets, too. Health benefits of pet sterilisation Desexing your pet can reduce the risks of some potentially serious health problems. Desexed pets are less likely to get malignant cancer in organs such as the testes, ovaries, cervix or uterus. Sterilisation of female dogs can prevent infection of the uterus (pyometra), which is where the uterus fills with pus. This is common in older, entire females. Desexing your cats and dogs eliminates the risks involved with your pet being pregnant, giving birth, and raising young. Risks include: eclampsia in which the mother’s calcium levels become dangerously low causing weakness, muscle tremors, and even seizures loss of the foetuses which can also result in severe infection if the dead foetuses are retained in the uterus a difficult birth (called dystocia), which can be due to problems with the mother or young and is generally due to either obstruction of the birth canal or a problem with the uterine muscle that makes the muscle unable to contract well enough to push the young out of the uterus. these complications may result in your pet needing a c-section where the young are removed from the uterus surgically by a veterinarian. Desexing female dogs prevents 'false pregnancy syndrome' Desexing male dogs prevents some serious diseases like prostatic infection and perineal hernia. Social benefits of pet sterilisation Desexing your pet can reduce some social problems associated with un-sterilised animals. Sterilised animals are less likely to scent mark by urinating on things, compared to undesexed animals. Desexing your pets prevents behaviours associated with the reproductive cycle that can be distressing, unpleasant, and tiresome to deal with. For example, female cats ‘calling’ or female dogs having a blood vaginal discharge when they are on heat/in season and male dogs attempting vigorously to get to females in heat. Sterilised animals are less likely to roam, reducing the risk being involved in a traumatic accident such as being hit by a car, getting into fights, and being exposed to infectious disease through fighting. Desexed animals are less likely to show aggressive behaviour. This means they are less likely to fight with other animals in your household and the neighbourhood. Financial benefits of pet sterilisation Sterilising your pets can save you money, too. Reduced costs of pet care, especially costs associated with pet pregancy and neo-natal care of puppies and kittens Avoiding costs of injury associated with traumatic accidents, fighting and treating infectious diseases Discount on pet registration fees with your local council. Some councils offer lifetime or discounted pet registration only if your pet is sterilised.
Is pet sterilisation required by law in Western Australia? All cats over 6 months are required by law to be sterilised. Under new laws, dogs over 2 years will be required to be sterilised. Expand Section 18 of the Cat Act 2011 mandates that all cats over six months of age must be sterilised. By law, they also must be microchipped and registered with your local government. With the passing of the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill 2021, unless exempt, all dog owners will be required to sterilise their dog by the time they reach two years of age.
What's involved in sterilising my pet? Pet sterilisation involves a surgical operation to remove the reproductive organs of your pet to prevent breeding. Expand Sterilising (also referred to as spaying, neutering or desexing) is the process of a qualified veterinarian removing an animal's reproductive organs to prevent breeding. For male cats and dogs, vets make a small incision on or near the scrotum, gently squeeze the testicles, and remove them. This process is commonly called castration or neutering. For female cats and dogs, vets make a fine incision along the animal's abdomen and remove their uterus and ovaries. This process is commonly referred to as spaying. While sterilisation is mostly done to cats and dogs, RSPCA recommends sterilising rabbits, too. The above processes require a general anaesthetic and surgery. However, pet sterilisation is a common procedure, is relatively quick and minimally invasive. Your pet should make a full recovery in a matter of days. Your veterinarian will provide detailed information relative to your pet, and they will advise post-operative care instructions for when you take your pet home.
Isn't it better to leave my pet the way nature intended? Sexual hormones in pets can create behaviours that are socially unacceptable, like spraying, roaming and aggression. Expand Sexual hormones in pets can create behaviours that are considered unacceptable. These include: mating with other animals spraying or urine marking aggressive behaviour roaming These are all natural behaviours of animals, and pet sterilisation may help to prevent them. There are also many health and financial benefits to sterilising your pets.
Will my pet gain weight after desexing? It is important to feed and exercise your pet appropriately to maintain good health. Expand Sterilising your pet does not mean they will automatically put on weight. Animals who are not sterilised can have higher nutritional requirements than desexed pets. It is important to manage your pet's weight by feeding them the appropriate amount of nutritional food, combined with appropriate exercise. Your vet will be able to provide guidance on proper diet and exercise for your pet.
At what age should I get my pet sterilised? The best age to sterilise your pet depends on a number of factors including your pet's breed, your circumstances and general advice. Expand Cats can become pregnant as early as 4 months old, so RSPCA recommends getting your cat desexed early, to prevent unwanted pregnancies. RSPCA WA sterilised kittens from 8 weeks old. Dogs can become pregnant as early as 6 months old. While RSPCA recommends early sterilisation for dogs, your vet will be able to provide the best advice for your circumstances, and your particular dog. Your vet will factor in general desexing advice and any breed-related considerations. In Western Australia, sterilisation of cats is mandatory by 6-months old, under section 18 of the Cat Act 2011. When the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill 2021 becomes law, it will be mandatory to sterilise your dog by the time they are 2-years-old, unless they are exempt.
Will pet sterilisation hurt my pet? Sterilisation operations are performed under anaesthesia to prevent your pet feeling any discomfort. Expand Your pet dog or cat will experience minimal discomfort during their desexing surgical procedure. Medications for anaesthesia and pain management during the procedure are used. Your vet will provide pain relief medication to continue giving your pet while they recover at home post-surgery.