As a pet owner, you have likely heard of spaying and neutering. Spaying refers to surgically removing a female pet’s reproductive organs, and neutering is the male equivalent. Many people believe that these procedures are optional and non-essential. In contrast, they are crucial to the health and wellness of your pet, and we’re here to highlight why.
Promote a Long, Happy, and Healthy Life
First and foremost, spaying and neutering are highly advantageous to your pet’s health. By having your pet spayed or neutered at a young age, you can promote a long, happy, and healthy life for your cat or dog. For female cats and dogs, spaying helps deter potentially life-threatening diseases, including uterine infections, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. For male dogs and cats, neutering prevents testicular cancer and minimizes the risk of prostate issues, including enlarged prostate glands.
Eliminate Problematic Behaviors
Spaying or neutering your pets alleviates various sex hormones that can otherwise become dominant, leading to unfavorable behavioral issues. Spaying a cat or dog eliminates their heat cycle, mitigating mating-type behaviors, including frequent urination and enhanced vocalization, which can be difficult for pet owners to deal with.
For male pets, neutering tames their aggression and territorial tendencies. When a pet is neutered, they become less aggressive towards new people or pets in their space and become less likely to urinate in an effort to mark their territory. Additionally, neutering can help combat the risk of your male dog running off. Male dogs often have a tendency to roam when they are not neutered due to their instinct to find a mate. However, this can be highly hazardous as it puts them at risk of injury and accident while out of your supervision.
Spaying and neutering is an excellent way to promote optimal health and wellness for your beloved cat or dog. To speak with a professional about the advantages of spaying or neutering your pet, contact your trusted veterinarian today.