Should You Let Your Pet Have One Litter Before Spaying?

Have you ever been told that you should allow your female dog or cat to have one litter before they are spayed? This common misconception is one of the many reasons National Prevent A Litter Month is observed in February. Learn why spaying instead of littering is a better way to protect your cat or dog’s health and what you can do to help fight pet overpopulation.

Are There Any Health Benefits To Letting My Pet Have A Litter?

There are no known, proven health benefits to letting your pet get pregnant and give birth. There are also no behavioral or emotional benefits to raising a litter. On the contrary, there are many potential health risks and downsides to allowing your pet to have even just one litter.

What’s Just One More Litter?

In the United States, over 7 million dogs and cats are taken into animal shelters each year, and more than 2.5 million are euthanized in shelters annually. A dog or cat has, on average, 4-6 puppies or kittens in each litter, but can have as many as 12 or 15. Even if you’re certain you would find homes for each puppy or kitten, those instead could be adoptive homes to animals already waiting in shelters to find their forever family.

What It’s Really Like To Have Just One Litter

Reputable breeders are meticulous when it comes to choosing a sire for their litter. Both animals will have been tested for hereditary diseases that are common in their breed. Breeders are careful not to breed animals that have behavioral issues, genetic diseases, or carry disease-causing genes that they may pass onto their litter.
A pregnant dog or cat will need several wellness checkups to confirm the pregnancy and assess the health of the unborn puppies or kittens. Even with proper prenatal care, check-ups and access to planned or emergency c-section if needed, there are unfortunately many potential complications that can come with labor and delivery, including uterine infection, eclampsia, dystocia (puppy or kitten stuck in birth canal), retained placenta, and stillbirth.
An experienced breeder will know the risks and know what signs to look for before, during and after birth. But for the average pet parent, there’s simply no need to put your pet’s health at risk.

When’s The Best Time To Spay My Pet?

Your dog or cat can be spayed just about any time, even if they are currently in heat or may already be pregnant. The older a dog or cat is before they are spayed, the more they are at an increased risk for developing mammary cancer, pyometra (a serious uterine infection), false pregnancy, and of course, real pregnancy.

Will My Pet Be Sad If She Doesn’t Have Babies?

While it’s not uncommon for humans to feel an emotional need to raise children, there’s no evidence that pets feel the same way about having puppies or kittens.
Unspayed dogs, and less commonly, cats, can experience a temporary condition known as “false pregnancy” a few weeks after a heat cycle, in which the pet has not really become pregnant, but may experience hormonal, emotional, and physical signs of pregnancy. Though this condition can be distressing for the dog or cat, it resolves itself within a few weeks, and can be avoided by having your pet spayed.
If you think your pet could use a companion, consider checking out your local shelter or rescue. You might just find a mini-me or a same-age best buddy who can keep your pet company just as well as a puppy or kitten of their own.

VISION

Every pet deserves to live a long, happy, healthy life.