Spaying and neutering are routine surgeries that prevent dogs and cats from reproducing. Spaying is the removal of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, and neutering is the removal of testicles. New pet parents may think, why prevent their pets from reproducing. Well, there are several reasons behind it. This article will look at some crucial reasons why neutering and spaying pets are important.
Reduces the Number of Unwanted Pets
When it comes to unwanted pets, we all have a responsibility.
Euthanizing: Many shelters are forced to euthanize animals because they run out of room for more animals. According to ASPCA, around 6.3 million pets enter pet shelters in the USA alone, of which over 900 million are euthanized due to lack of room and resources. Neutering/spaying is an effective way to prevent overpopulation and overcrowding in animal shelters.
Giving away: Some people give their unwanted pets away without considering the quality of home the pet will receive and if it's a good match for their lifestyle or family dynamics. Spaying and neutering can help reduce the number of unwanted animals that need homes by preventing accidental litters from being born in the first place.
Abandonment: This is considered illegal in many states but still occurs regularly, especially when owners think their pet may be too expensive or difficult to manage due to its personality traits. Unreliable owners who don't think through what type of future they're creating for their dog or cat may leave them behind at parks or dumpsters after deciding they no longer want them around anymore! If you're considering adopting an animal while having other commitments like schoolwork and work shifts, please consider getting neutered/spayed before bringing them home.
Eliminates Some Cancers and Prevent Other Health Conditions
Spaying female pets before puberty can eliminate some cancers and prevent others. In dogs spayed before the first heat cycle, ovarian cancer is almost unheard of. It's thought to be because there is no ovulation, which means there are no ovarian cells left over in the body that could become cancerous. The most common treatment for ovarian cancer is spaying. Well, if that's going to happen, why not do it before your pet suffers from the problem.
Mastitis is another problem that spaying and neutering can prevent. It is a mammary gland (breast) infection. During lactation, when your pet's children try to feed through her breasts, it can lead to tension around the nipple area. This can create a bacterial infection in the area. You can give her a strong antibiotic after a vet consultation to reduce the disease. Antibiotics like Cephalexin for dogs and cats can kill the bacteria and help treat mastitis. Cephalexin is an FDA-approved antibiotic that is strong against gram-negative bacteria and can help treat several bacterial infections.
Pyometra is also a serious condition where your pet's uterus fills with pus that needs immediate medical attention. It looks like it might burst from all the infected material. Spaying before puberty prevents pyometra from happening because it removes all those hormone-producing cells from your pet's body early, meaning she won't have any hormones left over for bacteria or other nasty things to latch onto later on if something does happen down there during her reproductive years.
The same goes for uterine cancers, which are uncommon in spayed animals. You may be wondering: But wait! If my dog doesn't have her uterus anymore, how will she get pregnant when I want her to? That's where artificial insemination comes in.
Reduces Many Types of Aggression, Including Territorial Aggression
Neutering male dogs and cats typically reduce many types of aggression, including territorial aggression. In most cases, neutering your pet can eliminate or minimize aggressive behavior before it reaches sexual maturity.
The most common behavioral problem in intact male dogs is urine marking in the house, which is caused by dominance or territorial aggression. Intact males mark their territory with urine to let other dogs know that they are there and that this is their territory. Male cats may spray or mount other cats if they are intact (neutered males do not do either). In most cases, neutering will reduce these behaviors because these behaviors are usually associated with sexual hormones produced by testicles (testosterone).
Neutering a male dog can also help reduce roaming behavior because the dog will be less interested in finding females to breed with once his testicles have been removed. This means he'll spend more time at home and less time wandering around outside looking for mates—and you'll have a better chance at keeping him safe!
On the other hand, female dogs and cats are often aggressive during heat cycles (estrus). Spaying a female before her first heat cycle can reduce aggression significantly. Spaying after the first heat cycle may not significantly affect aggression levels compared with an unspayed animal in estrus.
Reduces the Risk of Developing Prostatic Disease
It's important to remember that neutering your male dog or cat will not completely eliminate the risk of prostatic disease. But it can help reduce the risk. Removing your pet's testicles means they won't be producing testosterone anymore, which reduces the risks of prostatic disease. Prostatic disease is a common health problem in older male dogs and cats but can also affect younger animals.
The prostatic disease is caused by a buildup of cells in the prostate gland or other areas near the testicles, leading to inflammation and infection. This inflammation can cause pain, difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen (hematuria), or an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
There are no medical benefits to delaying spay or neuter surgery until after 6 months or later other than for medical reasons.
Conclusion
Spaying and neutering are good for both you and your pet. Spaying or neutering your pet can help make them a better-behaved companion. This is especially true for male pets who are less likely to roam when neutered.
If you are thinking about having your pet spayed or neutered, talk to your veterinarian about the best time for your pet. Every dog and cat is different, and there is no right answer for every situation. If you have any questions, please reach out!