The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering

/in /by

Spaying and neutering your pet can be a controversial subject, but it shouldn’t be! The evidence is clear… spaying or neutering your pet has many benefits and should be a first step for owners of a new pet.

When should I spay/neuter my dog or cat?

Dogs

You should wait at least 6-12 months to spay or neuter your small or medium-sized puppy. For larger canine breeds or breeds prone to orthopedic issues, we suggest waiting until they are at least 9-18 months.

Cats

It is standard practice to spay or neuter kittens at around 5-6 months old.

Behavioral Benefits

There are several behavioral benefits to spaying or neutering your pet as early as possible, including:

  • Females do not experience estrus (do not go into “heat”) or exhibit any associated behaviors
  • Males are less likely to roam
  • Less territorial behaviors like spraying, humping, howling, or aggression

Medical Benefits

Along with the behavioral benefits, your pet will also enjoy the following medical benefits after being spayed or neutered:

  • Longer life
  • Reduced risk of uterine infections (pyometra) in females if spayed before the first estrus
  • Reduced risk of breast tumors in females if spayed before the first estrus
  • Reduced risk of testicular cancer and prostate issues in males
  • Lower chance of contracting feline AIDS or feline leukemia (due to lowered aggression, resulting in less biting and fighting)

Community Benefits

When you have your pet spayed or neutered before they are able to reproduce, you aren’t just doing what’s best for their health and quality of life; you are also doing your local animal shelter, pet rescue organizations, and feral dog and cat populations a huge favor by reducing the number of unwanted and homeless pets in the community. Not only do these unlucky pets cause havoc by getting into trash, spreading diseases, and reproducing uncontrollably, they can also cause automobile accidents, fight with pets and other wildlife, and attack and frighten children and vulnerable people. The sad reality is that many of these feral animals are euthanized, when a combination of spay/neuter programs for feral populations, along with responsible pet ownership, could solve the problem and save so many lives.

 

Spay and Neuter Services in Tampa

 

If you’ve brought home a new puppy or kitten and want to give it the best start in life possible, check out our Puppy and Kitten Wellness Plans quality veterinary care during their first year. Our Puppy Gold and Kitten Gold plans include spay and neuter services, so you’ll be 100% covered when the time comes for surgery! Our wellness plans allow you to make monthly payments instead of having to come up with the entire amount for care at once, making responsible pet ownership easier and more affordable than ever. Call us at (813) 991-9898 or request an appointment online today!