when to spay & neuter

Obesity is such a common problem of dogs and cats that many  veterinary organizations and pet-food companies provide multiple  resources and special diets to help clients reduce the weight of their  pets.

Obesity is influenced by a number of factors, and while veterinarians  report that neutered animals do have a tendency to weigh more than  intact animals, it can occur regardless of the animal’s age when the  surgery was performed. (A published study in 1991 indicated that dogs  did not develop obesity when they were neutered pre or post puberty.  Another study from 1996 showed that cats can gain weight after pre or  post pubertal gonadectomy. The 2004 Cornell study found a decrease in  obesity for both male and female dogs who had undergone pediatric  neutering compared to those neutered after 5 months of age.)

So obesity is a multi-factorial problem and not an automatic  consequence of neutering – even an intact animal can become obese if a  proper diet and exercise regimen is not followed. Just as in humans,  dietary indiscretions and lack of activity are the real culprits in this  case.