As a pet owner, you already know your responsibilities. You must ensure wellness and care for your dog or cat, besides ensuring they eat healthy food and visit their veterinarian regularly. However, when it comes to neutering/spaying their pet, many people have reservations. Neutering is for male cats and dogs, while spaying is for females – Both procedures prevent the animal from reproducing. Expectedly, this is a hard decision. If you check with top veterinary services in Brandon, FL, the chances are high that most experts would recommend the idea. In this post, let’s discuss some reasons why neutering your pet is a good idea.
Preventing a litter
There is enough research to show that spayed and neutered cats and dogs are more affectionate. They are less aggressive and won’t have as many temperament problems. Also, neutered animals live longer and healthier lives, and when it comes to female cats and dogs, spaying can reduce the chances of uterine or ovarian cancer. We live in a world where puppy mills are a reality, and irresponsible breeding leads to numerous complications. Many shelters are overburdened with abandoned and surplus animals. Preventing a single litter may not solve these problems, but you can do your bit.
Health benefits
Animals like cats and dogs don’t understand sexual pleasure as humans. They are interested in reproducing their own kind, and in that quest, they often look around for mates. During peak months, these pets can become hormonal and aggressive, leading to fights and injuries. There is data to show that neutered animals are at a lesser risk of prostate issues, testicular cancer, and hernias. Neutering also addresses concerns related to territorial behavior and spraying. Spaying has similar benefits for females, reducing the risk of breast cancer and uterus infections. Heat cycles, on the other hand, often cause unexpected behavior and mood swings.
Better for the family
Both male and female cats and dogs are better for families. Your dog is less likely to behave wrongly around children and will not try to leave the property. Spaying also prevents unwanted pregnancies. If you are trying to keep pet care costs on a budget, you should consider spaying because it is much cheaper than caring for a bunch of new puppies or kittens. Females, during the heat, can stain your carpets, and caring for them during the cycle isn’t an easy job.
Don’t believe the usual myths
- It is often believed that spayed and neutered pets become fat, which is not entirely true. These procedures do reduce the overall activity level and the tendency to wander, but as long as you get enough exercise, fitness isn’t a problem.
- Many people also don’t neuter their pets, believing that they will continue to have a part of the animal through babies. Dogs and cats have a limited life span like most smaller animals, and a puppy who is a year younger than your dog will only have a year more.
- It is a common myth that the personality of a pet changes after neutering, but this is usually for the better. Your pet will be more friendly towards other animals, will not mark the house for territory, and will be easier around kids.
- Spaying is not expensive, which is, again, contrary to what many people assume. In fact, the cost of raising a litter is exponentially high.
As long as you choose a reliable and known veterinarian in Brandon to neuter or spay your pet, there is little to worry about. You can always ask relevant questions and discuss the procedure and associated risks in detail before making a decision.
