page contents

Cats, Dogs

5 Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet

The Paw Print

Essential Pet Blog

When to have a dog or cat spayed or neutered is a subject of debate in the veterinary and rescue fields, but all tend to agree that it is a healthy and positive choice for pets. The month of February is nationally recognized as Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. With shelters experiencing overcrowding, in the month of February, consider these top 5 reasons why you should spay or neuter your pet.

Of course, we advocate responsible pet-parenting, and we understand that the decision to spay or neuter your pet can be difficult. As with all major medical procedures and concerns, we advise an in-depth conversation with your veterinarian to help you weigh the risks and benefits for your pet.

5 reasons to spay or neuter your pet:

  1. Spaying and neutering is a responsible way to fight pet overpopulation in your community.

As loving pet owners, it breaks our hearts to see shelters full of animals with no loving homes of their own. When you spay or neuter your pet, you also help reduce overpopulation.

  1. Spayed and neutered pets enjoy reduced health risks, and often, longer lifespans.

Spaying your female pet before her first heat can prevent uterine infections, pyometra (uterine infection), and reproductive cancers including breast cancer, which has a fatality rate of 50% in dogs and 90% in cats. Neutering your male pets prevents testicular cancer and reduces their likelihood of developing prostate issues as they age.

  1. Neutered males tend to behave better.

When males are neutered early in their lives, they tend to have fewer aggression issues. That, coupled with the reduced tendency to mount other dogs, people, and objects, makes for a more harmonious home and fewer embarrassing public situations. Males who have been neutered also tend to be less territorial, which leads us to…

  1. Neutered males are less likely to mark or spray.

As a pet owner, you may already know the headache associated with removing your male pet’s urine scent from things he’s claimed. After your pet has been neutered, he’s less driven to such territorial behavior, as he’s no longer inclined to seek female mates.

  1. Spayed and neutered pets are less likely to wander.

When a female is in heat, she tends to wander to search for a mate, and intact males tend to wander when they pick up on the scent of a female in heat. Spaying and neutering your pets cuts down on this risky behavior, also cutting down on the odds of your pet being lost, stolen, injured, or worse.

Remember to discuss with your veterinarian your pet and his or her specific needs. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you as to what is best for your pet.

Please share this post

Tags: , ,