Five Reasons to Book Your Pet’s Desexing Appointment

Deciding to desex your pet is one of the most important choices you can make as a responsible pet owner. It’s a simple procedure that offers lifelong health and behavioural benefits — and helps prevent unwanted litters that contribute to pet overpopulation. At Vetmed, we believe every pet deserves the best start in life, and desexing plays a major role in keeping both cats and dogs healthy, happy, and safe.

Whether you’re a new puppy or kitten owner or caring for an adult pet, understanding what’s involved and why it matters can help you make the right decision for your furry friend.

1. What is Desexing? Understanding the Terminology

Desexing is a surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian to remove an animal’s reproductive organs and prevent them from breeding. For females, the operation is called a spey, and for males, it’s known as castration. You might also hear terms like neuter or sterilisation — they all refer to the same general procedure.

For cats and dogs alike, desexing is a routine surgery with long-term benefits for health and wellbeing, and it’s often recommended before your pet reaches sexual maturity.

2. Health Benefits for Female Pets

Desexing your female dog or cat (spey) offers significant health advantages. It greatly reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine infections such as pyometra, a potentially life-threatening condition. By removing the ovaries (and sometimes the uterus), hormone-driven conditions are prevented, ensuring your pet enjoys a longer, healthier life.

3. Behavioural and Health Benefits for Male Pets

For male pets, castration (neutering) provides both behavioural and medical benefits. In dogs, desexing helps prevent testicular cancer, reduces prostate problems, and can lower the risk of roaming, aggression, and unwanted mating behaviours.

In cats, neutering can reduce territorial spraying, fighting, and loud mating calls — helping your feline friend stay calmer and closer to home.

4. Responsible Pet Ownership and Preventing Unwanted Litters

Desexing is also one of the most effective ways to promote responsible pet ownership. By preventing your pet from breeding, you help reduce the number of unwanted puppies and kittens that may end up in shelters or on the streets. Every desexing appointment makes a difference — helping create a healthier, more balanced pet community.

5. Modern Surgical Options and Faster Recovery

Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, desexing procedures today are safer and more comfortable than ever. At Vetmed, we offer keyhole desexing (laparoscopic surgery), a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions, resulting in faster healing, less discomfort, and often a same-day recovery.

This modern approach is available for both dogs and cats and represents the future of veterinary surgery — ensuring your pet gets the best possible care.

When to Book Your Pet’s Desexing Appointment

The ideal time to desex your pet varies depending on breed, species, and individual health, but for most puppies and kittens, it’s recommended around five to six months of age. Your Vetmed veterinarian will guide you on the best timing and approach for your pet.

Booking at Vetmed

Desexing isn’t just about preventing breeding — it’s a proactive choice for your pet’s health, happiness, and safety. Whether you call it a spey, castration, neuter, or sterilisation, the goal is the same: to give your pet a longer, healthier, and more comfortable life.

At Vetmed, our team combines expert care with modern surgical options like keyhole desexing to ensure every pet’s experience is as gentle and stress-free as possible. If you’re ready to schedule your pet’s appointment, our clinics in.Lindfield, Randwick, Forestville, and Northbridge are ready to assist.