The many benefits of spaying and neutering your pets

The benefits of spaying and neutering pets lead to longer and healthier lives. In addition, the majority of animals will be more relaxed and less prone to undesirable behavior.

Spaying female dogs and cats greatly reduces the incidence of mammary cancer, eliminates uterine and ovarian cancer risk and prevents pyometra, an expensive potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Less common conditions such as uterine and ovarian cancer are 100 percent prevented by spaying.

Neutering male animals protects them from testicular cancer, certain types of hernias and perianal tumors. The major health benefits involved in neutering a dog involves the prostate gland. As dogs age, the prostate will gradually enlarge. This is known as benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH (think Flomax commercials). The prostate, under the influence of testosterone, is also predisposed to infection. This is an extremely painful and sometimes life-threatening condition which is not likely to resolve without neutering and often invasive, expensive surgery.

Neutering male dogs and cats before problems develop can reduce urine marking in your house and territorial aggression. It is important to realize that these behaviors can become a habit and may continue even after neutering without training.

 Facts:

Dogs and cats can breed at around six months of age, and yes, they will breed with their own parents and siblings.

If your pet breeds, you will need to find homes for multiple puppies/kittens.  For every puppy/kitten you find a home for, one will stay at the shelter that may have otherwise found a home.

The cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising a litter for 8 weeks.

Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Rather, lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds.

Pets being spayed or neutered usually go home on the same day as the surgery.