The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Pets

Pet owners often must face the question of whether to spay or neuter their pets. Spaying is the process of removing the reproductive organs of a female dog or cat while neutering is the same for males. According to the ASPCA, approximately 3.1 million dogs and 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters each year across the United States. Some of these animals are abandoned by owners, some are strays with no home, some are the result of accidental breeding when free-roaming, and some are surrendered by their owners. Spaying and neutering your pets are effective ways to prevent overpopulation to relieve the burden on shelters. It is also beneficial to pets in other ways. We examine the importance of spaying and neutering pets below.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering Pets

Spaying and neutering have multiple benefits including some health and behavioral benefits.

1. Neutered dogs are less likely to develop prostatic disease and hernias and neutering eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer.
2. Neutered pets don’t feel the need to roam to mate, and therefore are less likely to be bitten by other pets or involved in accidents. Neutered pets are also less likely to engage in marking behaviors.
3. Spaying pets before the first estrous cycle greatly reduces the risk for breast cancer, as well as eliminates the risk for pyometra, a potentially fatal infection of the uterus.
4. Spayed pets don’t go into heat, and therefore the mess associated with estrous is eliminated. This saves pet owners from potential messes on carpets and around the home.
5. Males, both dogs, and cats, who are neutered, are less aggressive toward other males and aren’t as distracted by females in heat. Spayed females won’t attract stray males looking to breed.
6. Spaying and neutering help prevent behavioral issues such as spraying, marking, and aggression.
7. Getting your pet fixed will help prevent unwanted pregnancy. Approximately 920,000 shelter animals are euthanized each year. This number includes animals born to stray or feral pets. Spaying and neutering help prevent the overpopulation problem plaguing animal shelters today.

How Are Spaying and Neutering Performed?

When female animals are spayed, the veterinarian will remove the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. This prevents the animal from going into heat and from being able to reproduce.

When males are neutered, the veterinarian surgically removes the testes which makes the pet unable to reproduce and eliminates male breeding behaviors such as marking.

What Age Should My Pet Get Spayed or Neutered?

Kittens should be spayed around five to six months old and dogs should be six months or older. Male cats should be spayed around five months old and male dogs should be six to nine months. However, adult pets over these ages can also be spayed or neutered if they aren’t already.

Schedule Your Pet

The importance of saying and neutering pets can’t be overstated. If you have a pet you would like to have spayed or neutered, contact Cimarron Animal Hospital. Our doctors perform spaying and neutering surgeries regularly and are ready to help your pet safely through the process.