Spaying/Neutering Your Pet
By spaying or neutering your pet, you will help control the pet homelessness crisis, which results in millions of healthy dogs and cats being euthanized in the United States each year simply because there are not enough homes to go around. Spaying/neutering surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter of puppies or kittens. There are medical and behavioral benefits to spaying (female pets) and neutering (male pets). Read on to learn more.
Here are some of the medical benefits:
Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50% of dogs and 90% of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Neutering your male pet prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.
When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
For dogs: While the traditional age for neutering is 6-9 months, puppies as young as 8 weeks can be neutered as long as they are healthy. Dogs can be neutered as adults as well, although there is a slightly higher risk of post-operative complications in older dogs, overweight dogs, or dogs with health problems.
For cats: It is generally considered safe for kittens as young as 8 weeks old to be spayed or neutered. In animal shelters, surgery is often performed at this time to sterilize kittens before adoption. In an effort to avoid the start of urine spraying and eliminate the chance of pregnancy, it is advisable to schedule the surgery before your cat reaches 5 months of age. It is possible to spay a female cat while she is in heat.
Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Debunking Spay/Neuter Myths and Misconceptions
Spaying or neutering will not cause your pet to become overweight. Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds, not spaying or neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
Neutering is not a quick fix for all behavior problems. Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviors caused by higher levels of testosterone, there is no guarantee that your pet’s behavior will change after he’s neutered. Although the surgery will reduce the amount of testosterone in your pet’s system, it won’t eliminate the hormone completely. Neutering will also not reduce behaviors your pet has learned or has become habitual. The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your pet’s individual personality, physiology, and history.
Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Recovery After Surgery
Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to 2 weeks following surgery or as long as your veterinarian recommends.
Prevent your pet from licking the incision site, which may cause infection. Distract your pet with treats or use a body suit or Elizabethan collar.
Avoid bathing your pet for at least 10 days after surgery.
Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your pet is lethargic, has decreased appetite, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or has any other concerns following surgery, notify your veterinarian.
Here are some behavioral benefits:
Your spayed female pet will not go into heat. While cycles can vary, female cats usually go into heat 4-5 days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, females will yowl and urinate more frequently - sometimes all over the house!
Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house. Once he’s free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other male animals.
Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people, and inanimate objects after he is neutered. Some aggression problems may be avoided by early neutering.