WHY SHOULD I?

As a responsible pet owner you provide your cat or dog with food, shelter, exercise and medical care. You also spay your (female) or neuter your (male) pet, preventing countless litters which might otherwise suffer starvation, painful injury or death as unwanted animals.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Spaying is the removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy. Neutering is the removal of the testicles, which produces sperm, to eliminate the possibility of impregnation. Both surgical procedures, performed under general anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian, are relatively painless, and safe for young animals.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

It prevents pet population explosion. A roaming male dog or cat can impregnate several females in heat in a single day. It provides better health for your pet. Early spaying eliminates the potential problems and risks associated with pregnancy, birth and uterine diseases and decreases the incidence of mammary tumors later on. Prostate problems and testicular tumors are also eliminated when an animal has been neutered when young. Neither procedure will cause your pet to get fat and lazy; too much food and too little exercise will.

There is also no sexual frustration. Males sensing a female in heat, will often jump out of windows or over fences, even break leash training, in a desperate effort to follow the scent, and a roaming animal can be hit by cars or get into fights. Neutered males stop “mounting” behavior (often on people’s legs) which can be annoying or even frightening. Spayed cats do no pace or cry.

Last but not least, you’ll live in a comfortable home. Spaying eliminates estrous or “heat” periods when females have a bloody discharge and attract males from miles around. The unneutered tomcat sprays foul-smelling urine while a sexually-active male dog howls or whines. Your dog will continue to guard your home. Spaying and neutering don’t affect the protective instinct.

WHEN?

You can spay your female cat any time after her first heat (six to nine months of age). Your female dog’s first heat occurs at about nine months. It is not true that a female should have one litter before spaying. A male dog or cat can be neutered soon after he reaches maturity (six to nine months of age).