One of the best things you can do as a responsible pet parent is to spay or neuter your canine or feline companion. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is that the animal will be healthier for it.
Common excuses for not spaying or neutering a pet
When it comes to spaying or neutering their pet, some owners really wrestle with the decision. They may worry that surgery will be traumatic for their furry friend, not wanting to cause the animal any pain or suffering.
Other misconceptions that may convince an owner not to spay or neuter their pet include the idea that an altered pet will become less active and overweight, or that their personality will change. The temptation to see what a litter of puppies or kitties may look like might be too much to ignore and could be another rationale for not going ahead with the procedure.
Increased health and longevity
Probably the strongest case for spaying or neutering your pet is the impact on its health. Studies have shown that animals who undergo these procedures live longer, on average, than other dogs and cats. Animals who are spayed or neutered have a much lower incidence of various cancers. For females, spaying actually eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer and noticeably reduces the possibility that your pet will have breast cancer at some point in their lives. Plus, an altered female dog or cat will have a lower chance of contracting a fatal uterine infection.
Male felines and canines have a decreased chance of hernias, perianal tumors, and prostrate problems when they’re neutered. Many of these issues arise in older dogs who haven’t had this surgery. In contrast to an unaltered animal, there’s no chance that an animal that is fixed will develop cancerous testicular tumors.
Happier and with fewer behavioral problems
Spaying or neutering your animal will make them better companions. You’ll have a more affectionate pet that’s more compliant and easier to manage. This is because the sex hormones related to mating practices are absent. These same substances are what drive males to roam in search of a female in heat and to be more aggressive with another cat or dog that they view as competition.
Additionally, after their testicles are removed, your male pet won’t exhibit bothersome behaviors like marking their territory with urine or mounting other animals or people. A spayed cat or dog won’t attract intact males to your yard since they won’t be going into heat. The operation will also eliminate the loud yowling female cats engage in to signal to males in the area that they’re available to mate. This will make for a calmer and more content pet.
Cleaning is easier
Your home will be cleaner when you have spayed or neutered your feline or canine. When a female dog goes into heat, the period can last from 10 to 21 days. This occurs twice a year and can involve cleaning up bloody fluid and trying to prevent stains on the floor and furniture. For felines, the estrous cycle is somewhat different in that the duration is 3 to 15 days long and occurs at least three times per year or more often.
If your pet is altered, you won’t have to manage other messes. They won’t be ruining any of your belongings or damaging your living room rug by spraying urine to mark their territory. Although intact males are more inclined to mark in this way, it can also be something done by females who aren’t spayed.
Limit the animal overpopulation problem
There is an overabundance of felines and canines waiting in shelters and humane societies for their forever families. Some are surrendered when their owners are unable to care for them for health reasons or due to a change in their living situation. Other animals are taken in by humane societies and shelters when litters of puppies or kittens are abandoned. There are a host of reasons why cats and dogs need homes.
By spaying or neutering your furry family member, you’re doing your part to limit the explosion in the pet population and the number of homeless animals living on the streets. This reduces pressure on the local humane society, not only in terms of space, but costs. In addition, animals housed for a long time in rescue facilities miss out on forming a loving bond with their owners. Furthermore, depending on the circumstances, a shelter may euthanize older animals or those that have been at the center for a long time.
In closing
In short, spaying and neutering procedures are affordable and commonplace. By spaying or neutering your pet, you’re helping them to live a longer and healthier life.