According to Animal Medicines Australia (AMA) Pet survey results (2025), “around three in four dogs (74%) and more than four in five cats (84%) were desexed1.” But you may still wonder, “is desexing really necessary?”
In short, yes. Desexing your pet offers a range of benefits for their health, behaviour, and your local community. Whether you have a playful kitten, a growing pup or a fully grown adult pet, desexing is one of the most important steps in responsible pet ownership.
This article will discuss some of the most relevant reasons veterinarians recommend desexing of dogs and cats.
Please note, Family Vets is in New South Wales Australia so information pertaining to NSW legislation or requirements may not be relevant if you reside outside NSW. Please refer to legislative requirements in your region.
What is desexing?
Desexing is a term used to describe the surgical sterilisation of animals.
Female dogs and cats undergo an ovariohysterectomy (spey), whereby their ovaries and uterus are surgically removed.
Male dogs and cats undergo castration, whereby their testicles are surgically removed.
Surgical desexing renders both females and males infertile (sterile). Following the procedure, they can no longer produce offspring.
What are the benefits of desexing my dog or cat?
There are numerous benefits to desexing your dog or cat. They include health, behavioural and community benefits.
1. Prevention of unwanted litters
Unplanned litters are a major contributing factor to animal overpopulation in Australia.
Desexing reduces the number of unwanted puppies and kittens that end up abandoned or in shelters, placing large burdens on local government resources.
Unowned dogs and cats roaming neighbourhoods create risks for human and animal safety, with unowned and feral cats being responsible for large numbers of wildlife deaths.
Unowned animals will often remain intact (not desexed), resulting in continued increases in number.
By desexing your pet, you are playing an important role in helping control stray and unowned pet populations.
2. Health benefits
Females:
- reduced risk of mammary tumours
- prevention of uterine infections (pyometra) – a life-threatening condition
- prevention of uterine tumours
Males:
- Prevention of testicular cancer
- Reduced risk of prostate disease
3. Behavioural benefits
Post desexing, you may notice positive changes in your pet’s behaviour:
- Less tendency to roam
- Reduced aggression or dominance
- Less marking or spraying
- Calmer, more predictable temperament
- Lowered tendency for male dogs to exhibit humping behaviours
4. Avoid unexpected costs associated with reproduction
Allowing your pet to have a litter can come with many unexpected costs.
Birthing difficulties can result in emergency caesarean procedures which have associated costs.
Puppies and kittens who do not suckle well may need to be hand-reared on puppy/kitten formula.
Before giving away or selling dogs, cats or their offspring in NSW, legislation states owners must have the animal/s microchipped.
Additional costs of food, vaccinations and health care should also be expected when allowing your pet to have a litter.
Desexing prior to pregnancy removes the risk of these additional costs.
5. No need to manage heat seasons in female dogs:
Managing heat seasons in female dogs involves keeping your pet away from all males, ensuring she cannot escape to seek a mate and managing discharges from the genital region.
Unexpected pregnancy can occur if this is not strictly managed.
Some owners will find this to be quite a difficult task.
Desexing removes the need to manage this process.
6. Potentially reduced pet registration fees
In NSW, all pet dogs and cats must be registered with the local council.
Reduced registration fees are available for desexed animals in NSW (T&Cs apply – please visit your local council website for full details and costs).
7. Meeting Companion Animal Breeding Requirements:
At the time of writing (July 2026), NSW Companion Animal Legislation covering requirements of owners of animals used for breeding (intentionally or unintentionally) are being updated.
Owners of intact (undesexed) companion animals should remain informed of requirements surrounding breeding and selling/rehoming offspring.
Desexing prevents unplanned litters and thus owners of desexed dogs and cats will not be affected by these requirements.
How much does it cost to desex my cat or dog?
Desexing costs will vary depending on several factors:
- Species: in general, dogs cost more than cats to desex.
- Gender: female desexing involves intra-abdominal surgery and is therefore more complicated and longer than male desexing. As such, females cost more than males to desex.
- Weight: Larger animals require more anaesthetic, time and materials.
- Reproductive status of female: Desexing females in season or during pregnancy incurs additional charges as the surgery takes more time.
Please contact our friendly staff on (02) 9622 1200 for an estimate to desex your dog or cat.
When is it best to desex my dog or cat?
Historically, veterinarians would recommend desexing before a female’s first heat season, however at the time of writing (July 2026), research is evolving in regard to specific recommendations based on an animal’s breed.
At Family Vets, we recommend discussing this with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate time for your pet. Factors such as breed, expected adult size of your dog, an owner’s ability to manage heat seasons and imminent behavioural concerns will all be taken into consideration when making this decision.
The majority of pet dogs and cats seen at Family Vets are still desexed between 4-6 months of age unless clinically advised otherwise.
The Desexing Procedure:
Desexing at Family Vets is a day procedure requiring no overnight hospitalisation in most cases.
Your pet will be admitted on the morning of the procedure and discharged later that day.
Unless otherwise instructed, dogs and cats are fasted overnight with water removed the morning of surgery. Detailed instructions will be provided upon booking.
A general health check will be performed by the veterinary surgeon, pre-anaesthetic blood tests performed (if approved by the owner), an intravenous catheter placed and a premedication given.
The desexing surgery is performed in a sterile environment under general anaesthesia, and as noted above. a female’s ovaries and uterus are removed, whilst a male’s testicles are removed.
All animals are given appropriate pain medications and monitored right through recovery.
Owners will receive clear post-operative instructions at discharge.
Reference: 1Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people
Frequently Asked Questions About Arthritis in Pets
Does desexing make dogs and cats fat and lazy?
No.
The hormonal changes that occur following desexing will slightly reduce the calorie requirements for your pet. Owners are encouraged to monitor their pet’s weight and reduce calorie intake if necessary.
Since many dogs and cats are being desexed towards the end of their natural rapid growth cycle, continuing to feed them as if they are still actively growing can cause weight gain.
Please discuss your pet’s changing needs with our friendly staff.
I heard it is best to let my female have one litter to make her calmer. Is this true?
Whilst the staff at Family Vets hear this statement regularly, there is no scientific evidence to support it.
I think I might breed with my male dog in the future. Is there a temporary medical alternative to permanent surgical sterilisation while I decide?
Yes. There is an implant that can be used to chemically sterilise your male dog for a limited period.
We strongly recommend you receive veterinary advice before deciding on its use so all benefits, side effects and potential complications can be fully discussed with you.
I heard female dogs become incontinent after desexing. Is this true?
A percentage of desexed female dogs can become incontinent during their lifetime. This is in response to the drop in female dominant hormones.
Owners need to weigh this potential risk against the risks of not desexing their pets.
Urinary incontinence can generally be managed adequately with medical intervention.
I don’t want to emasculate my male pet so I’m not getting him desexed.
This statement, or variations of it, are commonly heard in veterinary clinics.
Humans often project their feelings onto animals. As far as we are aware, dogs and cats do not equate a sense of masculinity to whether they are intact or desexed.
The benefits of desexing far outweigh the discomfort felt by some owners about this procedure.
Have questions about desexing your pet?
Please contact our staff at Family Vets n (02) 9622 1200 to discuss any questions you have about desexing your dog or cat. We are happy to help.
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