Toby - R.King
Spaying and neutering of your pet can help prevent serious health issues; it is not just for population control.
Have you ever visited an animal shelter? It is heartbreaking. It is estimated that between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats are shifted to shelters each year. Approximately half are euthanized. That leaves millions of animals to adopt. Be a responsible pet owner and spay or neuter your pet.
Although spaying and neutering helps to control the overpopulation of dogs and cats, this is not the only reason to spay or neuter. There are health reasons as well.
- Spaying your puppy or kitten before their first heat cycle reduces the incidence of malignant breast cancer to nearly zero.
- Male cats and dogs tend to want to follow the scents of females in heat and they will go to great lengths and distances to find them. Keeping them contained can be quite a challenge. Once on the go with a very fixed and specific agenda, the male animal may run into streets and become injured. Male dogs and cats may also be more aggressive if not neutered and are more than willing to pick a fight with a rival male for the affection of the female in heat. Female dogs come into season about once every six months; the heat usually last about three weeks. Female cats, on the other hand, come into season every two weeks for three cycles a year. It is not uncommon for them to yowl and cry all night long to attract a mate. That is a lot of disturbed nights and mess. Spaying and neutering takes this part of dog or cat ownership out of the overall equation.
- Testicular cancer and prostatic cysts may develop in unneutered male dogs. This tends to occur in the older dog and causes very uncomfortable symptoms. The treatment for these conditions is neutering.
- Unneutered cats and dogs commonly mark their territory and that may be in or outside the house. It can be very annoying to see the animal lift their leg on the expensive couch, curtain, or bed. One the scent is there, they tend to return to the same area over and over again. The tendency to mark is less if neutered.
- It costs a lot of money to care for animals through pregnancy, birth, and puppyhood or kittenhood; the costs of special food, vaccinations, worming, breed specific requirements especially if the dog is going to be shown at a dog show ( ie. docking of tails or dewclaws), advertising for homes, and someone who needs to be close at hand for several weeks.
Unless you are a knowledgeable breeder who is dedicated to the breed and are willing to be responsible for the welfare of all of your puppies even after they have left your home, do everyone a favor and spay or neuter your pet.
Copyright Rosemary King. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Rosemary King - Stay well; stay healthy; stay focused.
