Yorkie Spaying: When & Why to Do It?

Thinking about yorkie spaying means you’re planning a routine surgery to remove your female Yorkshire Terrier’s ovaries (and usually her uterus) so she can’t get pregnant. This is a big decision for many owners, but it comes with strong health benefits. For example, spaying a Yorkie greatly reduces her chances of getting breast cancer. It also completely removes the risk of serious uterine infections. 

A spayed Yorkie will not go into heat. This means you won’t have to deal with bloody discharge or male dogs chasing her. Many owners find this makes home life easier. There are no messy seasons and no accidental litters. It also stops the worry and cost of an unwanted pregnancy. In short, yorkie spaying keeps your little dog healthier and can help her live longer by avoiding certain cancers and serious infections.

Pros and Cons of Spaying a Yorkie

• Pros:
  
  • Prevents Pregnancy: Spaying removes the chance of any accidental litters. This is especially important for tiny breeds – pregnancy and birth can be risky for small Yorkies. Preventing pregnancy also means avoiding the stress and cost of difficult births or emergency C‑sections. As Yorkies come in miniature and teacup sizes as well, spaying can save them from painful puppy delivery and complications with uterus.
    
  • Health Benefits: A spayed Yorkie has a much lower risk of mammary (breast) cancer. She also won’t get ovarian or uterine tumors, and the procedure entirely prevents pyometra (a life-threatening infection of the uterus).
    
  • Eliminates Heat Cycles: Your Yorkie won’t experience seasons. Spaying stops the 7–10 day bloody discharge of heat. It also avoids false pregnancies (which can cause behavioural and physical problems). During false pregnancies, dogs act like they’re really pregnant and even their bellies start to grow. Yes, you read it right! This condition really exists and it’s related to the dog’s psyche. No more puppy pads or worrying about a male dog taking interest!
    
  • Behavior in Season: Because there are no hormone-driven seasons, your Yorkie may be calmer around that time of month (some owners note less irritability once she’s spayed).
    
• Cons:
  
  • Surgical Risks: Any surgery and general anaesthetic carry a small risk. Modern vet care is very safe. A large study in the UK found that only about 1 in 10,000 neuter or spay procedures led to death from anesthesia. Tiny teacup Yorkies do need extra caution (a skilled vet, precise dosing, warming pads, etc.), but overall the risk is very low.
    
  • Weight Gain: Spayed dogs can be more prone to weight gain. Yorkies have high metabolisms, but you should still watch her food intake and keep her active after spaying. Adjusting her diet or using “light” dog food often solves this.
    
  • No Guaranteed Calm: It’s a myth that spaying automatically makes a dog mellow. In reality, a Yorkie’s personality usually stays the same. If she was energetic or anxious before, she’ll likely still need training and exercise afterwards. Spaying won’t magically fix obedience issues.
    
  • Possible Incontinence: A small percentage of spayed females (estimates around 20%) can develop a weak bladder later in life. Incontinence (leaking urine) is uncommon, but it’s something to discuss with your vet. Many vets say the benefits outweigh this risk, especially if spaying is done at the right age.
    

What Age Do You Spay a Yorkie?

Timing is important. Most vets recommend spaying a Yorkie at around 6–9 months old, ideally before her first heat. In fact, experts say doing the surgery before the first season gives the best protection against mammary cancer. Some Yorkie guides even suggest spaying as early as 4–5 months for maximum benefit. That said, because Yorkies are so tiny, your vet might wait until your pup is a bit heavier and stronger (often up to 9–12 months) to be extra safe. The key is to avoid spaying during a season – vets will schedule it a couple of months after she’s finished her cycle. Always talk to your vet about the right age for your dog: breed, size, and health can influence the timing.

Yorkie Spay Procedure

The actual Yorkie spaying surgery is a standard routine procedure. Your vet will give your dog a general anaesthetic so she sleeps deeply. Then a small incision is made in her belly. The vet carefully removes her ovaries (and usually the uterus) through that opening. All internal layers are stitched up, and often a set of stitches is placed on the skin as well. With a Yorkshire’s small size, the incision is tiny (just a few centimeters) and heals quickly.

Some clinics offer keyhole (laparoscopic) spays, which use a tiny camera and instruments inserted through small ports. This approach causes less post-op pain and speeds recovery, but it’s more complex and costly. For a standard spay, once surgery is done your Yorkie will wake up in a cozy kennel and be given pain relief. The vet will send you home with instructions and possibly a protective cone.

Spaying a Teacup Yorkie

If you have a teacup Yorkie (a very tiny toy Yorkie), spaying is still possible – just plan on extra care. Tiny Yorkies may weigh just 2–3 pounds, so vets pay special attention to anaesthetic dose and body temperature. Modern vets often use warm blankets, IV fluids, and constant monitoring for toy breeds. The good news is that even for very small dogs the anaesthetic risk is still very low. A major UK study found only about 0.01% of neutering procedures result in anaesthesia-related death. In other words, roughly 1 in 10,000. Discuss any concerns with your vet, and choose a practice experienced with small breeds. In terms of cost, Teacup Yorkies generally fall under the “under 5kg” price bracket, so expect a spay around £200–£300 in the UK (see below). The procedure itself is the same; it just requires a steady hand and vigilant monitoring.

Yorkie Recovery from Spaying

After the operation, your Yorkie will need a calm recovery period of about 10–14 days. During this period, she will need your help and support.

At home she will likely be groggy and sleepy for the first few hours as the anaesthetic wears off. This is normal – most dogs start feeling back to themselves within 24–48 hours. 

For the first week or two keep her activity low: no running, jumping, or rough play. It’s very important to protect your female yorkie from children who would pull her tail or would like to play with her. Spaying procedure requires post-surgery care like any other procedure.

Choose a comfortable Yorkie bed

Your vet will advise about 7–10 days of rest. You may need to keep her on a lead during walks or even use a crate or pen to restrict movement. Our recommendation is to place your dog on a cozy Yorkie bed.  Check our collection and find the one that would fit both your pet and your interior. Furdi Dog Luxury Bed is one of the best picks for Yorkies who are dealing with post surgery pains and even for senior pooches who needs a joint and hip support.

Check your dog’s wound

Follow your vet’s instructions on wound care closely. Give all prescribed pain meds and prevent licking of the incision. A soft “bunny suit” or Elizabethan cone is often provided to stop her chewing at stitches. 

Keep the incision clean and dry. During this period, you should not bathe your dog and avoid taking her outside in rainy and snowy weather. That’s how the wound can become wet and more susceptible to infections.

Plan a quick check-up visit about a week after surgery (some vets do one at 2–3 days and another at 7–10 days) to make sure healing is on track. Most stitches are removed around 10–14 days after surgery. By two weeks post-op, your Yorkie should be feeling back to normal. Just remember to gradually return to exercise – take it slow with walks and play for a few days after she’s cleared to run again.

Cost of Spaying a Yorkie

A common question is “how much does it cost to spay a Yorkie?” In the UK, spaying prices vary by practice and dog size. Yorkshire Terriers are small dogs, so you’ll generally pay on the lower end of the scale.

As a ballpark figure, expect around £200–£300 for a routine spaying of a small Yorkie. For example, one UK vet’s price list shows about £246 for spaying any dog under 5 kg. A survey of UK practices found the average cost for spaying a small dog was roughly £267.

Do note that prices can jump if you choose any extras. A laparoscopic “keyhole” spay might run £500–£600 even for a medium dog, since it uses special equipment. Always ask if the quote includes post-op check-ups, pain meds and a recovery cone. Pet insurance usually does not cover routine neutering, so it’s an out-of-pocket expense. If cost is a concern, some charities (like PDSA, Dogs Trust or local RSPCA branches) offer financial assistance for neutering. But in most cases, budget a few hundred pounds and check with your vet practice for the exact quote.

Spaying a Yorkie: Wrapping Up

Even though spaying a Yorkie might sound scary to you, believe us, it would be a good decision for your pet. If you don’t want to breed your Yorkie any more or you own a very tiny Yorkie dog, then it’s definitely a must-do procedure. Talk to your vet when is the best time to do it because it much depends on the dog’s size and overall health. The result will be owning a calmer and healthies yorkie who will stay by your side for many years.

Read also: How Many Puppies Can a Yorkie Have?

Everything You Need To Know About Yorkie Pregnancy