Reasons to Spay and Neuter Your Pet
What Do "Spay" and "Neuter" Really Mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the procedure is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. This is typically an outpatient procedure, depending on your pet's age, size, and health. There are many good reasons to spay and neuter your pets.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
- Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
- Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce your pets’ risk of numerous of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
- Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and significantly lowers her chance for breast cancer. For every heat cycle your pet has, her chance for mammary cancer will increase. It is best to spay before she ever goes into estrus.
- Neutering eliminates any chance of developing testicular cancer and reduces the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
- Spaying and neutering can make your pet a better, more affectionate companion.
- Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
- Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted males.
- Non-sterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than those who have been spayed or neutered.
- Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, bite, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
- Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
- Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
- Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
- Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Approximately 71 homeless cats and dogs enter into local shelters every day, and 53 are euthanized. Spaying and neutering your pets can help control the pet overpopulation. |
