Should I Spay Or Neuter My Pet?

Since humans have domesticated animals, we've created the tragedy of pet over-population. We now have the responsibility to spay or neuter our pets to prevent this situation. There are those who think that cats and dogs would eventually become extinct with required altering. But as a nation, we should take a hard look at a different annual statistic: the millions of dogs and cats given up to shelters or left to die on the streets.

Cats just seem to “show up” on your doorstep and we wonder if they are the result of being dumped. Cat owners that live in and around rural areas are more likely to feed free-roaming cats than are people who live in the cities. Cats don't hang around unless there's a really good reason to do so, and if you want an outside cat, you are pretty much going to have to wait it out until one comes along. A kitten raised indoors cannot be put out to live outdoors because it has never learned how to live outdoors.

As pet owners, it is our responsibility to try and reduce the scale of the tragedy of pet over-population. The way to do this is simply to simple spay or neuter your pet and urge our friends and acquaintances to do the same. Neutered pets do require fewer calories, but when placed on a proper diet and given adequate exercise, they maintain their trim figures with little difficulty. Pets acquired from animal shelters are already spayed or neutered or, as we know from experience, require that you visit a participating vet to have the procedure done at a very reasonable rate. Only a small percentage of pets are acquired from animal shelters though, so neutering these animals can only have a small effect on the overall population problem. My own veterinarian’s recommendation to me, if you are not going to show the animal then by all means neuter at an early age. If everyone would follow this advice, a significant decrease in unwanted animals could result.

There are added benefits to spaying or neutering beside cutting down on the cat population. The procedure can increase the lifespan of your pet and has other numerous health benefits. It reduces the urge to roam. The female will cease bleeding on your carpet, your furniture, the interior of your car, and on the ground outside.

If you are on a fixed income and have a cat that you need to spay or neuter but you can’t afford it, please don’t hesitate to call the Humane Societies or animal agencies in your area and ask if they have any information about who might help with the cost. In our location, we have an agency by the name of the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) that helps out with the cost of the surgeries. Keep in mind that without the operation, in less than one year’s time, each of your pet’s offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even more animals to the population.

Each year, over two million dogs and four million cats are euthanized at U.S. animal shelters. These animals are euthanized for the simple fact that there just are no homes for them. The primary causes of this tragedy is the people who fail to have their pets spayed or neutered, and who abandon or give up pets because of lack of commitment to training the pet. Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals and irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.

Spaying and neutering will help your pet live a longer, healthier life, especially for those females who are spayed before their first heat cycle. Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of 6-7 days, 3 or more times a year in cats. The surgery includes the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. A major advantage for most owners is the elimination of heat cycles and unwanted pregnancies. Female cats normally cycle from February to November each year. Even if someone can find homes for one litter of kittens, the overpopulation cycle continues if the animals are allowed to breed.

Research has shown that early spaying or neutering of your pet can aid in the recovery process, giving your pet a speedy and virtually painless recovery. Years ago, when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting until a patient was older increased the safety of surgery, but that is no longer the case. Depending on your pet's age and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending on what procedure, your pet may need stitches removed after a few days. Your vet will use his highest standards to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible during his or her stay and to make sure your pet will be safe.

Make it your mission to ensure that the stray cat that frequents your back yard doesn't bring more strays into the world to endure the same hard life. At this rate there will never be enough homes for all adoptable pets. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

In general, animal welfare organizations and veterinarians agree that spaying and neutering pets is a responsible decision that will benefit both pets and owners. Pet health care professionals insist that problems can certainly be avoided with these simple procedures. There will never be enough good homes for all of these unwanted pets. Humane shelters will continue to euthanize millions of healthy cats and dogs each year for no reason other than homes cannot be found for them. Preventing the birth of kittens for which there will be no homes is one of the best reasons to have a pet cat altered. Additionally, altered dogs and cats are less likely to wander and become lost while searching for a mate and are less likely to bite or become aggressive.

Much like children, animals depend on humans to keep them happy and healthy. Also, remember, spaying/neutering is an excellent way to reduce health risks to your pet. This includes showing your pet you care for him or her by providing adequate attention in the form of petting, feeding, exercise, training, and just loving them.

NOTE: This article is for information only. See your veterinarian for medical advice.