Spaying and neutering can help prevent cancer of the reproductive system and can also help curb behavioral problems. Both cats and dogs can be spayed or neutered as young as 6 months of age. It is not necessary for females to have gone through their first heat, nor will it stunt an animal’s growth to spay or neuter it before it is “full grown.” With the proper safeguards, preoperative blood test, and anesthetics, both surgeries are safe procedures. Your pet can usually return home the day after surgery.