Why You Should Spay or Neuter Your Pet

There are many things that you can do to be a responsible pet owner, and one of those things is to have your pet spayed or neutered. This is a simple procedure, and there are many benefits to having it done for your pet. Most importantly, it is a procedure that is beneficial to the overall health and well-being of your pet. Keep reading to learn why you should have your furry friend spayed or neutered as soon as possible.

1. To Protect the Health of Your Pet

Female pets that undergo the spaying procedure will generally live longer than female pets who do not get spayed. In addition, spaying can help reduce the risk of cancerous breast tumors and uterine infections. To make sure that your pet is properly protected, you should have her spayed before she goes into her very first heat. For male pets, neutering can help to reduce the overall risk of certain prostate problems as well as testicular cancer.

2. To Improve Your Pet's Behavior 

When a female animal is in heat, she may be quite temperamental and urinating more often than usual. She will also be in search of a mate. However, when a female has been spayed, she will not go into heat, and as a result, she will be far more passive. A male pet who has not undergone the neutering procedure is far more likely to leave home when he is aroused. A neutered male pet is less likely to try to mark his territory and do not generally mount other dogs, objects, or people.

3. To Help Control the Population of Pets

Each year, there are over six million companion animals that are placed into animal shelters in America. If an animal has been spayed or neutered, it cannot bring more animals who are unwanted into the world, which helps to reduce the burden on these animal shelters, as well as veterinarians and government agencies who are charged with keeping the American pet populations under control.

4. To Save Money

Although you can expect to pay an upfront fee to cover the expenses associated with the procedure, spaying and neutering your pet will more than pay for itself in the long run. For starters, you can expect to avoid expensive medical treatments that are related to certain diseases and cancers that occur more frequently in pets that have not undergone the procedure.

If you would like to learn more about spaying ​or neutering, or if you would like to schedule an appointment for the procedure, contact a local veterinarian.