Pet Care: Spaying and Neutering

Spaying is the surgical removal of reproductive organs of female animals. Spayed females can't have babies and no longer secrete hormones that regulate reproductive readiness.

Castration is the surgical removal of the reproductive glands (testes) of male animals. Males who have been neutered cannot manufacture sperm.

End result is the same - no more reproduction.

Age to neuter: By 6 months. Older animals in good health can also be done. All sterilization surgery should be performed under general anaesthesia by licensed veterinarians. Females can be spayed when in heat or pregnant, but the surgery can take longer and cost more. Spaying before having a first litter or heat cycle is usually a simpler procedure.

Spay/neuter is a one-time expense that will result in a healthier and happier companion animal.

Health Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

In Males, neutering:

• decreases chances of developing prostatic disease and hernias,
• eliminates chances of developing testicular cancer,
• reduces problems with territorial and sexual aggression, inappropriate urination, and other undesirable male behaviours.

In Females, spaying:

• decreases incidence of breast cancer (rate is almost zero if spaying is done before first heat cycle).
• eliminates possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer.

• eliminates chance of false pregnancy (dogs), chance of developing a potentially fatal infection of the uterus (pyometra).
• eliminates heat cycle, associated mood swings, undesirable behaviours, messy spotting ('bleeding' in dogs) and attraction of all available males to your yard.

In both sexes:

• less need for territorial marking behaviour,
• decrease in the urge to roam to look for a mate,
• become more docile and easier to train.

Final result: they stay home and have less chance of being involved in accidents e.g. being hit by car. There's much lower incidence of contracting contagious diseases and getting into fights.

Spaying and neutering greatly increases the lifespan of your pet and increases quality of life as well!

Stray Animals Overpopulation

1+1 = 20,736
1 female cat + 1 male cat and their offspring can result in 20,736 kittens in 4 years. Click HERE for more information (Cat Population Pyramid).

1+1 = 2,048
1 female dog + 1 male dog and their offspring can result in 2,048 puppies in 4 years. Click HERE for more information (Dog Population Pyramid)

Rather than being part of the problem, you can indeed be part of the solution. Even if your pet is a male, please don't forget that he can still make your neighbours' pets pregnant!