Spaying and Neutering

Neutering and spaying your household pets is a sound investment in their health  and companionship. You are also doing your part to help control the pet population.  With the exception of professional breeders equipped to handle the burdens of  breeding dogs, owners should get their pets spayed or neutered as soon as their  veterinarian recommends.

What Is Spaying and Neutering?
This is the surgical procedure in which the reproductive organs are removed  from a female dog (spaying), or the testicles are removed from a male dog (neutering).  Although often thought of simply as a way to prevent unplanned litters of puppies,  it also has numerous other benefits for dog and owner alike.

Benefits of Spaying and Neutering
In addition to preventing unplanned litters, which can be a burden on owners  and communities, this basic procedure can:

Eliminate the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer in females and testicular cancer in males
Reduce the risk of mammary gland cancer in females
Make males less likely to roam, which can lead to lost dogs.
Make males less aggressive and more affectionate.

Fact and Fiction About Spaying And Neutering
There are many  misconceptions about spaying and neutering. Some are misconceptions based on  the real effects of the procedure, but others have no real basis in proven fact.

Fiction: Female dogs are more content after having a litter, or should have one litter before being spayed.

 There is no evidence of this. But waiting to spay can lessen the protective effect that spaying has on your female dog and because spaying reduces the risk of mammary tumors, it is important to spay as soon as your veterinarian suggests.

Fiction: Spaying and neutering makes dogs fat.

 Spaying or neutering does NOT make a dog fat. However, the procedure can reduce the amount of energy a dog needs, so should monitor your pets body condition after the procedure and reduce your feeding amount as needed.

Fiction: Spaying or neutering makes dogs lazy and/or changes their personality.
 Neutering a male dog can make him less aggressive, but as a rule that is a benefit. In terms of playfulness or activity, these patterns change as a dog gets older whether or not it is spayed or neutered. Don’t mistake maturing for a change in personality.

Fiction: Spaying and neutering are dangerous procedures.
 While this is a surgical procedure and carries some small degree of risk, it is also a very common, well-practiced procedure. Your veterinarian can tell you what risks are present. You will almost always find that the benefits greatly outweigh the risks.