Did you know that dog and cat spaying and neutering help control the pet homelessness crisis? Every year, thousands of healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States since there are not enough shelters for them. In addition to these, cats and dogs can benefit medically and behaviorally from these procedures.
While you can get your pets spayed and neutered anytime, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) urges that you sterilize your cats by age five. This procedure gives benefits to cats while their kittens are growing. For adult small-breed dogs weighing less than 45 pounds, the AAHA recommends that they be spayed prior to heating at 5 or 6 months or be neutered at six months. Whereas large-breed adult dogs that weigh more than 45 pounds have to be neutered after they finish growing at around 9-15 weeks and spayed between 5-15 weeks.
Benefits of Neutering and Spaying your Pets
1. Female Pets will Live Longer and Healthier Lives.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors. Whether it’s cancerous or malignant, about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats are affected by these diseases. Ensure your pets are spayed before their first heat to receive the best protection from these life-threatening illnesses.
2. Neutering Male Pets Prevent Testicular Cancer and Prostate Cancer.
Neutering minimizes the possibility of perianal tumors and hernias that are common in older, unaltered dogs. Since neutered cats are less likely to roam around, the risk of abscesses resulting from bites and diseases transmitted by fighting is lessened.
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3. Altered Dogs are Better Pets at Home.
Altered dogs are less likely to leave your property and meet potential dangers on the street as they’re not distracted by females in heat. They also become less aggressive towards other male dogs when they’re neutered early in life. It can even save you from humiliation since they are less likely to urinate on your neighbor’s expensive shrubs.
If you spay your female pets, her desire to roam and breed is reduced so you can avoid stray males roaming in your backyard.
4. Unwanted Pregnancy Could be Prevented.
If your family is not prepared for kittens and puppies, having them spayed and neutered stop this problem.
5. Spaying Makes your Female Dogs and House Become Cleaner.
Since female dogs pass bloody fluids for about ten days, twice a year as a part of their estrous cycle, you need to clean your home, especially your carpets, to avoid stains. After spaying, this problem will be eliminated. Learn more about proper dog grooming for your furry friend.
6. Spaying and Neutering Help Prevent Pet Overpopulation.
Behavioral problems and being displaced are some of the reasons why unaltered pets are roaming around, resulting in accidental breeding. The more cats and dogs are spayed and neutered, the fewer kittens and puppies are being born. Plus, animal euthanasia can be prevented across the country.
