Spaying & Neutering Your Pet
Spaying is the term used to describe an ovariohysterectomy (surgical removal of an animal's ovaries and uterus). Neutering is the term used to describe the castration of an animal (removing the testicles). There are a variety of benefits to spaying or neutering your pet. It is generally recommended to spay or neuter your pet around 6 months if age. Although the surgery can be done later, it is much more costly in pets over one year of age. The spaying and neutering of pets not only helps control the pet population, but also helps your pet live a longer & healthier life.
Advantages of spaying your female pet:
- The prevention of the heat cycle (spotting), or estrus; which can last up to 3 weeks in dogs.
- Your pet's urge to escape to find a male to mate with while in heat is reduced.
- Eliminates the possibility of a false pregnancy following the heat cycle.
- The prevention of a life-threatening uterine infection known as a pyometra.
- The prevention of breast cancer -- Dogs spayed before the first heat cycle have less than a 0.5% chance of developing breast cancer.
- Eliminates the risk of uterine & ovarian cancer.
Advantages of neutering your male pet:
- Reduces the risk of prostate cancer & prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate).
- Reduces the risk of hormone-related diseases such as perianal adenoma.
- Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer, which is the second most common cancer in intact dogs.
- The removal of sexual urges which usually decreases roaming behaviors.
- Reduces or eliminates the risk of spraying & marking.
Most of the perceived disadvantages of spaying & neutering are false. The most quoted of these are that the pet will become fat, lazy, and useless as a guardian. Obesity is the result of overfeeding and not exercising enough. By regulating your pet's diet and caloric intake, you prevent obesity. Spaying & neutering also does not cause any change in your pet's guarding instincts, intelligence, playfulness and affection. Another misconception is that your pet will not grow to be as large if they have been altered. This is false, as the size of your pet is determined by genetics.