Spay and Neuter to Change Animal Lives for the Better
Spaying and neutering are highly recommended for a complete pet health program. Crowded shelters and booming stray animal populations are still big issues around the country, but spaying and neutering can prevent unexpected litters and ultimately ease the strain on local shelters. Additionally, these surgeries can benefit the health of their canine and feline recipients—for reasons beyond population control.
Health Benefits
Hormone production in male and female dogs and cats can lead to cancer development, and these cancers cannot always be treated successfully. Research has also found a possible correlation between spaying and neutering and pets living longer.
The most important benefits to consider before having your pet spayed or neutered include:
- No unwanted pregnancies
- No heat cycle (females)
- Less tendency to roam in search of a mate (males and females)
- A lower risk for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer (females)
- A lower risk for testicular cancer and prostate cancer (males)
- Less likelihood of spraying/marking in the house (male dogs and cats)
- Less risk of becoming aggressive (males)
- Also less likely to engage in mounting behaviors (males)
Spay and Neuter Myths
There are several misconceptions about spaying and neutering, including:
- Causing weight gain: There is little evidence to support the claim that pets will gain weight after being spayed or neutered. Once your pet has recovered fully from surgery and had their sutures removed, they should return to an active lifestyle and be on a balanced, age-appropriate diet.
- Changing a pet’s personality: Your pet will not come out of their spay or neuter surgery with a different personality. While the procedure can affect certain behaviors, it will not affect their intelligence or personality.
- Being too expensive: In general, there are more low-cost spay and neuter services available today than ever before. If cost is a concern, you have options. And, considering the alternative, caring for a pregnant pet and eventual litter is much more costly than a one-time spay or neuter procedure.
