Importance of Spaying and Neutering

• VTF Homepage
• Adoption
• Appointments
• Dog & Puppy Services
• Clinic Policies
• FAQs / Education
  • Plants that are Toxic to Animals
  • Care For Your Horse
  • Holiday Awareness
  • Microchips
  • Spaying and Neutering
  • Is It Parvo?
  • Puppy Care and Training
  • Seasonal Hazards
  • Toxoplasmosis – Cats
• Emergencies
• Horse (Equine) Services
• Cat & Kitten Services
• Links & Resources
• Traveling / Moving

Spaying or neutering your pet is very important in many aspects. One is to keep your pet healthy, and another is to help control the stray animal population. According to the humane society statistics, in 6 years a female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 dogs. In 7 years one female cat and her offspring can be the source of 420,000 cats. And that equals a lot of strays and unwanted animals which ultimately lead to thousands of euthanasias a month.

So, what does spay and neuter really mean? Spaying is the removal of the female’s ovaries and uterus, and neutering is the removal of a male’s testicles. Both surgeries are done while your pet is under anesthesia. You may ask yourself, how is this good for my pet? There are many answers. Getting your pet sterilized may help them live longer, healthier lives. It can reduce or eliminate a number of health problems that can be difficult or expensive to treat. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of mammary cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous or “heat” cycle. Spaying also eliminates a female’s heat cycle. This cycle lasts an average of six to twelve days, twice a year in dogs, and six to seven days, three times a year in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted males. Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease. Neutering also makes males less likely to spray or “mark their territory” if done early in life before it becomes a habit. Another positive aspect about neutering is that it makes males less inclined to run away, or get into dog fights.

Here are a few myths about sterilizing your pet.

Myth: If I sterilize my pet they will get fat and lazy.

Truth: Sterilization does not cause this. Its generally caused by overfeeding and pets not getting enough exercise.

Myth: I don’t want my pet to quit being a good guard dog and become a wuss.

Truth: Sterilization does not affect a dog’s natural instinct to protect their home and family.

Myth: If I neuter my dog he will feel less like a male.

Truth: Pet’s don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. He will not suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

In conclusion with all the new knowledge you’ve learned please consider sterilizing your pet. They’ll love you for it.