Spay and Neuter
 This page describes the benefits of spaying and neutering cats and dogs. Please note that it is also very important to control the number of other pet animals such as rabbits, ferrets, small rodents, birds, and exotic animals. These animals are subject to the ills of over breeding as well.
The Problem
There are too many animals for the number of responsible, loving, permanent homes. Yet more are born every day. Many of these homeless animals suffer and die in the streets from cold, starvation, disease, poisoning, and cruelty. Most of these victims are the offspring of family pets or abandoned pets, particularly cats.
Dogs and cats reach sexual maturity at about six months, and can reproduce at an alarming rate. back to top
The Solution
The best way to reduce the number of pets that suffer or must be destroyed is to reduce the number of puppies and kittens being born. This is done most effectively through surgical sterilization.Surgical sterilization of female pets (SPAYING) is the removal of the ovaries, oviduct, and uterus. Surgical sterilization of male pets (NEUTERING) is the removal of the testicles.
With modern anesthetic and surgical techniques, these surgeries are safe when done by a qualified veterinarian and can be quite inexpensive. back to top
Why Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
The Animal will be a More Content Family Member. A spayed or neutered animal has a greater chance of staying in good health and enjoying a long life. Spaying and neutering eliminates distress, distraction, and discomfort associated with the sex drive. Neutered and spayed pets are usually calmer and more content to stay at home with their human families. If you have more than one pet in the household, your pets will likely get along with each other much better if they are all spayed and neutered. back to top
Spaying a Female Pet Has These Benefits:
- Prevents pregnancy
- Prevents false pregnancy
- Prevents the complications of pregnancy and delivery
- Eliminates heat cycles and stops the bloody discharge
- Ends crying, nervous pacing, and frantic efforts to get out and find a mate
- Reduces the urge to roam, thus reducing the risk of losing a pet, infectious diseases, fights, injury, trapping, cruelty, poisoning, or death in traffic
- Prevents visits from unwelcome males attracted to the scent of a female in heat
- Eliminates or reduces the incidence of disease, infection, and cancer of the reproductive system
- Reduces stress, which can lead to increased susceptibility to disease
A female dog normally comes into heat twice a year. She will attract males for almost three weeks until bred. During breeding season, a female cat can come into heat every three weeks. Simply confining a pet may cause tremendous frustration for both the pet owner and the animal. All her instincts are telling her to find a mate.
- Walking a female dog in heat is like waving a flag to all the male dogs in the neighborhood. Nothing will keep them away.
- A fenced yard will not keep out a determined dog or a cat in heat. Many puppies are conceived in securely fenced yards.
- Cats in heat will wail, rub, and dart out of the door at the first opportunity. Cats in heat have even been known to jump out of second-story windows. back to top
Neutering a Male Pet Has These Benefits:
- Stops mating drive
- Ends howling, nervous pacing, destructive behavior, and frantic efforts to get out and find a mate
- Reduces the urge to roam, thus reducing the risk of losing a pet, infectious diseases, fights, injury, trapping, cruelty, poisoning, or death in traffic
- Stops or reduces the mounting of people's legs or furniture associated with sexual behavior of male dogs
- Results in a calmer pet that is easier to train and control
- Eliminates testicular cancers and reduces prostate gland problems in older dogs
- Reduces stress that could lead to increased susceptibility to disease
Unneutered male cats mark territory by 'spraying' objects (including those inside the home) with foul-smelling urine. Unneutered male dogs also mark their territory, although their urine isn't as strong smelling. Unneutered male cats or dogs can detect females in heat for blocks around at any hour of the day or night. The urge to get away will at times overpower the unneutered male dog or cat's sense of loyalty to his human family. (Laboratories pay well for dogs needed for research and unscrupulous individuals have been known to lure unneutered family pets away from home using female dogs in heat!) back to top
When Should I Spay or Neuter my Pet?
Neuter or spay a pet before he or she reaches sexual maturity. Most veterinarians recommend that male and female cats and dogs be neutered or spayed at six months of age. Pediatric spay and neutering of animals as young as 8 weeks old has been well researched, and is becoming more accepted and common. There are no known detectable side-effects from this early procedure.
For health reasons, females should be spayed before their first heat! They should not be allowed to have even one litter. Surgery can be performed on older pets as long as they are in good health. Pregnant animals can be spayed at a veterinarian's discretion. One of the safest, most effective ways to help a dog or cat be a healthy, well adjusted, sociable pet is to have him or her neutered or spayed at an early age. back to top
Information compiled by SPCA |
