World Spay Day: Why Spaying Pets Matters in 2025

Did you know that World Spay Day is observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering pets? Supported globally by animal welfare groups, this day highlights responsible pet ownership and the vital role these procedures play in managing pet populations and promoting animal health.

What Is a Spay?

Spaying, medically known as an ovariohysterectomy, is a surgical procedure where a female pet's ovaries and uterus are removed under general anaesthetic, rendering her permanently infertile. This significantly reduces production of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. While concerns sometimes arise about potential behavioural changes after spaying, studies show spaying does not alter a pet's core personality. Instead, it often results in calmer behaviour and reduces hormone-driven issues.

Beyond infertility, spaying offers critical health benefits such as lowering the risk of hormone-linked diseases, including life-threatening uterine infections (pyometra) and certain cancers.

World Spay Day: The Importance for Cats

Cats are prolific breeders. Notably, just two unspayed cats can theoretically produce up to 40,000 descendants in seven years if unregulated. This exponential growth leads to unwanted litters, overburdened rescue centres, and suffering due to starvation or disease.

In the UK, organisations like the Cats Protection, RSPCA and Blue Cross are often overwhelmed with unwanted cats. Spaying is the humane, effective way to curb this problem and improve feline welfare.

Female cats start going into heat at around four months old, and during this time they can be very vocal and restless, behaviours often misunderstood by owners. Entire male cats are attracted in large numbers, leading to fights and risk of diseases like feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

When and How Are Cats Spayed?

Veterinary guidelines in the UK recommend spaying cats as early as four months old, when they reach sexual maturity, provided they weigh at least 2kg to safely undergo anaesthesia. This early intervention helps prevent unwanted litters and is endorsed by the major cat welfare organisations.

The spay procedure involves a small surgical incision, often on the flank or midline of the abdomen. Dissolvable sutures are usually used to avoid the need for removal, promoting quicker healing and reducing discomfort. Most cats return home the same day with careful post-operative care.

Why Spay Dogs? Key Health Benefits

For female dogs, called bitches, spaying is commonly recommended for health reasons beyond population control. Approximately 25% of unspayed bitches develop pyometra, a serious and often fatal uterine infection by the time they are ten years old.

Spaying also substantially reduces the incidence of mammary tumours, which can be malignant. Studies indicate that spayed bitches may live approximately 26% longer on average, highlighting the long-term health advantages of the procedure.

When Is It Best to Spay a Dog?

In the UK, most vets recommend spaying female dogs from around six months of age. Spaying before six months can increase risks of bone and joint problems as well as urinary incontinence, especially in larger breeds. Giant breed dogs may benefit from waiting up to 18 months before spaying to allow for full maturity.

If a bitch experiences a heat cycle before spaying, it is advisable to wait about three months after the season ends to operate, allowing hormone levels to stabilise.

The Spaying Procedure for Dogs

Unlike cats, spaying a dog is a more involved operation. It generally requires an abdominal incision with a larger scar and longer recovery. Careful restriction of activity post-operation is essential to ensure internal healing and prevent complications like wound reopening or internal bleeding.

Increasingly, laparoscopic or keyhole spaying is available, which uses smaller incisions to remove just the ovaries and offers benefits such as quicker recovery and less pain. For more information on this technique, you can visit this Pets4Homes article.

Does Spaying Affect Pet Behaviour and Personality?

Many pet owners worry spaying might negatively affect their pet's temperament. However, research and veterinary experience suggest spaying does not change a pet’s core personality, which is primarily shaped by genetics and environment.

Behavioural changes after spaying are generally positive and related to the reduction of sex hormones. Females typically experience cessation of heat cycles, which stops behaviours like vocalising and roaming. Neutered males often show decreased aggression, territorial marking, and roaming, resulting in safer and calmer pets.

How Can You Participate in World Spay Day?

Observed annually on February 25th in the UK for 2025, World Spay Day is a key event to promote the benefits and importance of spaying and neutering. Veterinary professionals, animal welfare charities, and local communities come together to offer educational activities and sometimes subsidised spay services, especially targeting low-income pet owners.

By scheduling spay appointments for your pets around this day or helping spread awareness via social media with hashtags like #WorldSpayDay and #SpayAndNeuter, you can contribute to reducing unwanted litters and supporting animal welfare.

Conclusion

World Spay Day reminds us all of our responsibility as pet owners to manage pet populations humanely and care for our animals’ health. Understanding the medical, behavioural, and societal benefits of spaying helps ensure pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

If you're considering spaying your pet or want to learn more, chat with your veterinary surgeon to make the best, informed choice for your animal’s wellbeing.