Spaying and Neutering

By spaying or neutering your pet, you will help to reduce the number of homeless animals in shelters and on the streets. Every year millions of dogs and cats are euthanized because there are not enough homes.

There are also health and behavioral benefits to spaying and neutering. Dogs and cats that are spayed and neutered, statistically live longer lives.

Medical Benefits

Female dogs and cats

Prevents pyometra which is a deadly uterine infection. 1 in 4 unspayed females develop this. The only cure is emergency surgery which can be costly.
Significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer especially if spayed before the first heat cycle. After 2 or more heat cycles, the chance of breast cancer is 1 in 3.
Several breeds of dogs like Frenchies and toy breeds, as well as immature cats, cannot give birth naturally. If they become pregnant, they may be unable to deliver without emergency surgery. C-sections typically cost upwards of $3,000.
Preventing the urge to mate eliminates the risk of venereal diseases (sexually transmitted diseases).

Male dogs and cats

Prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostrate problems as your pet ages. 60% of male dogs experience an enlarged prostate by 6 years old if not neutered and 90% of dogs by 9 years old. An enlarged or cancerous prostate can stop urine flow and become an emergency!
Preventing the urge to mate eliminates the risk of venereal diseases (sexually transmitted diseases).

Behavioral Benefits

When a female cat goes into heat, they often yowl frequently as well as urinate more frequently – often outside of the litterbox.
Male cats often spray urine to mark their territory, which can mean all over your house. It is a difficult smell to get rid of. Neutering your cat significantly reduces or eliminates this behavior.
Male dogs and cats, driven by instinct, often escape from their homes and yards in search for a mate. This often leads to injury and death from traffic and fights with other animals.
Males can be more aggressive, destructive to your property, and territorial with other dogs and cats, leading to an increased risk of fighting and injuries.
Male dogs can also urinate in homes and on furniture if left intact.

When to Spay and Neuter

Cats can be fixed as young as 16 weeks of age if they are healthy. The general rule of thumb is to fix by five (5) months of age to prevent pregnancy and urine spraying.
Depending on your dog’s breed, expected adult weight, and other factors, they can be fixed as early as 16 weeks. It is important to talk to your vet about the best time to spay or neuter your dog.

Myths

“My dog needs to experience the joys of motherhood.” No! Your pet does not know what pregnancy is, nor how it happens. There is no way to guarantee she will be a good mother or reject her offspring. There are too many homeless pets to make more needlessly.
“I want her to have a baby so I can have another pet just like her.” There is no way to know what a dog’s temperament will be. You will have also created several more puppies that will need homes, too.
“Spaying or neutering makes pets fat and lazy.” A lack of exercise and overfeeding causes weight gain. Many pets do calm down after being fixed since they are no longer focused on finding a mate which often causes pacing and patrolling.
“Neutering will make my dog less masculine!” Animals do not possess egos or sexual identities like humans. We hear this a lot from male owners, but don’t worry! Nobody is taking their manhood away.
“Fixing my pet will change their personality.” False. Your pet will still be themselves! Territorial behaviors and hormonally linked aggression subsides, but their personality will not.