Why it is important to spay or neuter your pet

Spaying is the surgical sterilization of a female animal by removing her ovaries, oviduct, and uterus. Neutering is the surgical sterilization of a male animal by removing his testicles. Both procedures are affordable and come with minimal risk if done by a certified surgical veterinarian.

There are over 100 million dogs and cats in the United States alone. Thousands upon thousands of these animals are homeless. There are an estimated 8 to 12 million animals that are processed through the over 6 thousand animal shelters nationwide. Most of those animals are euthanized. Over the last several years, many different animal rescue organizations have formed with the main goal of saving as many animal lives as possible.

All animals that are saved from being euthanized by animal rescue groups are spayed or neutered. This helps control the animal population. Some experts believe that approximately 50 thousands puppies and kittens are born each day. In 6 years, one female dog and her offspring can be the source of 67 thousand puppies.

With the invention of advertising on the internet, animal breeding has exploded. The number of animal breeders grows every year. The majority of breeders maintain their kennels and care for their animals to ensure good health for their animals. Unfortunately there are a number of breeders that are simply in it for the money. These breeders basically run unsanitary and unhealthy puppy or kitten factories.

While animal population control is one of the most important reasons to spay or neuter your pet, there are a number of other reasons.

1. Most pets become less aggressive towards people and other animals. It also lessens the desire for animals to roam once they are spayed or neutered.

2. Male dogs and cats urine becomes less potent and the tendency to mark their territory (ie pee around the inside of your house) is severely diminished.

3. Both dogs and cats benefit from reduced health problems related to their reproductive organs. It also accounts for fewer prostate problems and anal glandular problems.

4. It eliminates the heat cycle from the female, which stops your animal from acting agitated while it attempts to leave the house or yard in search of a mate. Likewise, males will have a reduced urge to roam in search of a mate.

I recommend that you consult with your veterinarian before the surgery to determine a timetable that is safe for your pet. It is generally safe to spay or neuter dogs and cats anytime after 8 weeks of age. There are some benefits to spaying your female animals prior to their first heat cycle, such as reduced chance for mammary cancer.

There is a misconception that animals will become fat or lazy after this type of surgery. While spaying and neutering does in fact have some calming effects on animals that were prone to wandering or marking, it does not cause an animal’s normal level of activity to change. A strict balanced diet and regular exercise is the key to a healthy active animal.

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