Do you have a pet, or are you thinking about adopting one soon? Are you trying to decide whether you should have your dog or cat spayed or neutered? What are the some of the most important benefits to keep in mind?
In our Woodbridge, VA, animal hospital’s article below, we’ll help you understand more about why spaying or neutering your dog or cat can be such an important part of pet ownership. You can use this information to help you decide, or to determine which questions you want to ask your vet before making your decision. Read on to find out more.
Prevent Unwanted Litters
The first and most important reason to have your dog or cat spayed or neutered is to prevent unwanted litters. You may think you can prevent your pet from mating even if left intact, but the truth is that accidents happen, and it’s better to avoid this risk in your pets if possible.
There is already a major overpopulation problem with both cats and dogs worldwide. By cutting down on unwanted litters, you’re doing your part to avoid contributing to this issue. Although your part may seem small, when many people work together, the pet overpopulation problem can decrease with time.
Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Neutering male dogs and cats can reduce the risk of testicular cancer and prostate cancer, both of which can be serious and life-threatening conditions for pets. Spaying female dogs and cats completely removes the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, and most commonly Pyometra, and may also reduce the risk of breast cancer in some instances.
It is important to remember that your pet may develop other types of cancer even if you have had this procedure performed already. However, you can cut down on or completely remove some risks, which can potentially help increase your pet’s lifespan.
Reduce Roaming Tendencies
Male dogs and cats are prone to roaming when they are left intact. If an intact male pet smells or hears an intact female in heat nearby, he may try to escape from your home or yard and may roam a long way away from home in the process. Male dogs and cats can sense a female in heat from miles away.
Female dogs and cats in heat, on the other hand, may be prone to roaming as they look for a mate. Your female pet is just as likely to escape from your home as a male pet might be, if she is not spayed.
Reduce the Risk of Fighting
Since roaming tendencies are much more common in intact pets, fighting tendencies soon follow. Male dogs and cats who find a female in heat are likely not the only ones who know about her, and they tend to get into very serious fights over mating rights.
Female dogs and cats in heat may fight with other females as well as males they don’t want mating with them. There are several risks of injury and illness associated with pets coming into contract with strays during their search for a mate. Have your pet spayed or neutered to prevent this risk.
Help Improve Behavioral Issues
Some pet behavioral issues may be able to be resolved or managed by having your pet spayed or neutered. Intact males, for example, are likely to be much more aggressive and territorial than those that have been neutered. Intact females may become defensive and aloof, whereas a spayed female dog or cat may become more loyal and friendlier.
It is important to remember that spaying and neutering won’t automatically remove every behavioral issue your pet may face. However, these procedures can help, and they may encourage your pet to become calmer following the procedure as well.
Safe at Most Ages
Another important reason to consider spaying or neutering your pet, even if you’re adopting from a shelter or rescue, is that these procedures are safe for almost any age.
As long as your pet is not a senior, there is little reason to avoid spaying or neutering. Talk to your vet for more information about spaying or neutering an adult pet as opposed to a young puppy or kitten. Your vet can help you understand why this procedure is not a cause for concern.
Our Woodbridge, VA, Vets Can Spay or Neuter Your Dog or Cat
Based on this information, it’s easy to see why spaying or neutering your dog or cat can be so crucial. Although there may be some individual circumstances in which dogs or cats are not good candidates for spay or neuter surgeries, the vast majority of pets can recover very quickly from this type of procedure.
Our Woodbridge, VA, veterinarians can give you more information about your specific pet’s individual needs. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet being spayed or neutered, your vet is the best resource to help guide you through this decision.
To schedule your pet’s spay or neuter procedure, give our animal hospital a call at (703) 680-4000.
