Facts for Pet Owners on Spay or Neuter Surgery
There are many facets of responsible pet ownership. Some, like providing excellent age-appropriate nutrition, are part of the daily routine that ends up making a huge difference to a pet’s lifelong health. Others, like spaying or neutering, involve a single procedure that, once completed, doesn’t require further effort or planning. There are many benefits of spaying and neutering, and we are happy to share the facts (and debunk a few myths, too).
Let’s Get Technical
Spaying is the term used to describe the removal of the ovaries and uterus of a female pet. Neutering is the removal of the testes in a male pet.
The medical benefits to both females and males is significant. For starters, spayed females experience fewer uterine infections and cancerous breast tumors. Pregnancy and delivery can also have dangerous consequences to a mother’s health. Neutered males are more protected from testicular cancer and some prostate problems, as well.
Changes in Behavior
There is an unfounded myth regarding weight gain and personality changes in spayed and neutered pets. The fact is, weight gain and obesity are the result of overeating and under exercising. We are always happy to help pet owners dial in their pet’s nutritional needs, portion controls, and daily exercise requirements.
Ideal Companions
What is true, behaviorally speaking, about spaying and neutering is that certain problematic behaviors fade away.
- Without a heat cycle, spayed females do not vocalize, show aggression, spray urine, or attempt to escape in order to mate.
- The absence of male reproductive organs decreases mounting, humping, marking, escaping, and wandering the neighborhood.
- Spayed and neutered pets are protected from fights with other animals, injuries from traffic, loss or permanent separation, and exposure to disease.
The Impact On Communities
Overpopulation numbers continue to affect the streets and neighborhoods of California. Feral, stray, lost, or abandoned animals endure hardships without human protection and care, and are likely to have shorter lifespans. There are important programs in place to trap, spay/neuter, and release animals that, for many reasons, may not be adoptable.
Efforts to re-home strays or displaced pets are noble and ongoing. Due to limited space and resources, animal shelters may not always be able to care for all animals in need. Removing a pet’s ability to mate and produce offspring (that can, in turn, mate and produce offspring, and so on) stops the cycle that leads to overpopulation and reduced resources.
A Strong Foundation
The surgery is straightforward, but it does require general anesthesia, blood work, and a recovery period. Pets can be surgically sterilized at any age but health benefits improve when completed before their first heat cycle, or by 6 months of age.
This one procedure can save a single pet pain and suffering, and is much more cost-effective than a pregnancy, delivery, and the myriad problems associated with the reproductive system.
Always Here For Your Pet
Our staff at Yorba Linda Pet Care Center love to help pets before, during, and after their spay/neuter procedure. Please call us at (714) 777-1677 with any questions or concerns about your pet’s health.