Petcare Made Simple

Top Reasons to Spay or Neuter your Dog

Every year there are more puppies born into the world than there are homes for them to grow up in. Sadly approximately sixty-four percent of all dogs that end up in shelters across the United States end up being euthanized for lack of adequate homes. The top reason to spay or neuter your dog is to prevent the overpopulation of animals, which can then lead to the untimely death of the animal. Spaying or neutering “is the single most important thing you can do to prevent animal cruelty!”

Animals that are spayed or neutered tend to live longer, happier and healthier lives than those who are not. The surgical procedure of spaying or neutering reduces and in some cases completely eliminates a number of health problems that can occur in dogs ranging from the mildest to the most serious. Some of these health concerns can be anything but simple to treat and also can be very costly. For female dogs, spaying (which means the ovaries and uterus are taken out of the dog) takes away the worry of her developing ovarian and/or uterine cancer. This is especially the case if the procedure is undertaken before your dog has her first estrous cycle (menstrual cycle when she first begins to go into “heat”). As well the possibility of breast cancer is lowered tremendously for a spayed female dog. A condition known as pyometra (pus-filled uterus) is eliminated if a dog is spayed.

Neutering (the testicles are removed through a surgical procedure) eliminates the worry of testicular cancer, especially if the surgery is undertaken before the dog is six months old. As well, neutered male dogs are less likely to develop prostate cancer. Neutered males are also less likely to develop hernias and abscesses. All in all a spayed or neutered dog is likely to live a longer, happier, and more peaceful life.

Unwanted pregnancies are never something anyone wants to cope with and this means money and care as a dog owner you may not be able to give. The surgical procedure of spaying or neutering would take away this worry for you. Remember too that it is very stressful for a female dog to get pregnant and carry her puppies to term. By spaying her when she is young herself you take away future stress for her body and mind.

A smaller percentage of dogs will have to be put down in animal shelters if you act as a responsible owner and have your pet “fixed.” During the years 2000 and 2001 in the county of Los Angeles, sadly 94,514 dogs and cats lost their lives in shelters for lack of homes. The majority of dogs that are brought to shelters are left there because of “accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets.” It is estimated that approximately fifty percent of the overpopulation problem in relation to dogs is due to males that have not been neutered. Be aware that it is not just mutts that end up in animal shelters but purebred dogs do as well. In fact thirty percent of shelter dogs are purebreds. Bear in mind the unfortunate truth of the matter, which is that “For every home you find for an animal that you have bred, a home is lost for a shelter animal.”

Still there are other top reasons to say yes to spaying or neutering your dog. Spaying and neutering makes most dogs more well adjusted, more affectionate and more sociable to people and other dogs. In other words, a spayed female dog or a neutered male dog is simply more agreeable to be around. The estrus (heat) cycle for a dog occurs usually twice a year and can last anywhere from six to twelve days. Your dog doesn’t have to suffer any of the symptoms if you do something about it early on in his or her life. When female dogs are in heat they can cry a lot, both day and night (especially at windows and doors) and it is a pitiful cry to hear. Also they often show signs of nervousness and “stressed out” behavior and they can attract male dogs onto your property that you don’t wish to have there.

Keep in mind as well that non-spayed or non-neutered dogs often exhibit more behavioral problems and do not have as sunny a disposition. They have hormonal cycles and concerns that their spayed or neutered counterparts do not. Animals that have had the surgery are less likely to bite anyone or get into fights. They are also less likely to leave your property without you.