How veterinary teams approach this conversation will influence the client’s trust and, ultimately, the pet’s health.
Conversations about spaying and neutering come up frequently in small-animal visits, and they’re not always straightforward. Clients come in with opinions, online research, and sometimes strong feelings. Recently, there has been more focus on how veterinarians and pet owners communicate, and clients are looking for collaborative communication, which can lead to improved patient outcomes.1-3
Veterinary medicine has traditionally used a “doctor knows best” approach. However, most clients today want to be active participants in conversations and decisions about their pet’s care.2 When discussing spaying and neutering, start by asking open-ended questions that allow the client to express their thoughts, feelings, and understanding, such as the following:
Take time to listen to the client’s response, giving them space to explain their understanding. It gives you a better sense of where they’re coming from and what information to provide.
Clients often come in with a few common concerns about spaying and neutering, including the following:
Be ready to discuss these concerns using published evidence.4-8 Acknowledge uncertainty where it exists using clear language. For example:
Your responses should be clear, straightforward, and nonjudgmental. Focus on educating rather than correcting. Keep your explanations brief, and use visual aids or handouts to help clients understand complex information more easily.3
At Fetch Nashville, we’re introducing Veterinary Crossfire—a dynamic learning experience featuring veterinary voices in unscripted debates on our most pressing issues. Our topic is “Navigating Reproductive Surgical Sterilization Options in 2026,” and it is only available at Fetch Nashville, May 29-30, so register here today to secure your spot.
Clients want guidance.2,3 Once you’ve addressed their concerns, lay out the options clearly: “Based on what you've shared with me; there are several options for Max’s neuter. Let’s go over them together.”
Present multiple timelines:
Communicate these options clearly, along with their pros and cons, to help clients make informed decisions. Clients expect veterinarians to provide a clear recommendation grounded in the pet’s individual context while leaving room for the client to make the decision2,3: “Based on what you’ve told me about Max’s lifestyle and your concerns; I’d lean toward waiting until he is 15 months old to lower his risk of joint disease. But I want to hear how that feels for you.”
Productive conversations rely on a combination of structure and empathy1-3:
The goal of every spay and neuter conversation is to foster partnership, provide expertise, and empower clients. What matters is that they feel heard, understand the risks, and know you’re available to revisit the decision. That’s what builds long-term trust and better care over time.
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