Spaying & Neutering Your Pets

 Why spay and neuter my pets:

Spaying or neutering your pet is highly recommended by veterinarians for several key reasons, including significant health and behavioral benefits, plus the wider community impact of reducing pet overpopulation. The procedures are routine surgeries with low risk. 

Health benefits:

For both males and females, spaying and neutering can lead to a longer, healthier life by preventing serious diseases. 

For Female pets (spaying):

• Prevents life-threatening infections: Spaying eliminates the risk of pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection that commonly affects unspayed females.
• Reduces cancer risk: It significantly lowers the chances of breast tumors, which are often malignant in dogs (50%) and cats (90%). Spaying before her first heat cycle offers the best protection.
• Eliminates ovarian and uterine cancer risk: Since the ovaries and uterus are removed during the traditional spay procedure, your pet has zero risk of developing cancers in these organs. 

For male pets (neutering):

• Eliminates testicular cancer risk: Neutering involves the removal of the testicles, which completely removes the risk of testicular cancer.
• Reduces prostate problems: It lowers the risk of prostate enlargement and infections.
• Reduces fighting or roaming injuries: Neutered males are less likely to fight with other males, reducing their risk of injuries from bites and wounds. It also reduces their urge to go find a female in heat decreasing their chances of getting injured by cars, or an unfamiliar environment.

 Behavioral benefits: 

Many undesirable behaviors are tied to reproductive hormones. Spaying or neutering can greatly improve your pet's temperament and make them more focused on their human family. 

For female pets (spaying):

• Eliminates heat cycles: A spayed female will no longer go into heat, which means no more frequent yowling and territorial urination (especially in cats). 

For male pets (neutering):

• Less roaming: Unneutered males have a strong instinct to roam and find a mate. Neutering reduces this urge, preventing them from escaping and risking injury in traffic or fights.
• Less marking and spraying: Neutering drastically reduces or eliminates the urge to spray urine to mark territory, which can save your furniture and make your house smell better.
• Reduced aggression: It can decrease aggressive behaviors, including inter-male aggression and dominance issues. 

Community and cost benefits

• Reduces pet overpopulation: Millions of healthy, adoptable animals are euthanized each year due to overpopulation. Spaying and neutering prevents unwanted litters and reduces the number of animals entering shelters.
• Cost-effective: The one-time cost of spay or neuter surgery is far less than the cost of raising and caring for a litter. It also avoids costly treatments for diseases and injuries related to reproductive organs or roaming.