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My puppy pees when excited. Should spaying wait until after heat?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 5 months and 19 days old | 25 lbs

Hi. Our 5 month old puppy is a bit of a submissive urinator. If we greet her in an excited manner when we come home, she'll piddle a little (no piddle if we ignore her until she's calm). And when meeting new people or dogs, she does the same. Our vet is concerned she may have an incontinence issue that may worsen if we get her spayed before her 1st heat cycle. She suggests we we wait until after, and that letting her go through 1 heat cycle may actually resolve the issue. What do you think?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on May 22nd, 2019

Yes, waiting until after the heat cycle is definitely worth considering in any female with urinary control issues. It allows for full hormonal develeopment of the pelvic area and can be beneficial in many cases. It may not help with excited/submissive urination directly but every little helps

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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