Why is it important to spay or neuter your pet? February is Spay & Neuter Awareness Month, and our team at Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert finds it very important to discuss the many different benefits of spaying and neutering your furry friends. Read on for more information on these procedures, which are very important to your pet’s health and overall wellbeing!
Health Benefits
It’s highly likely that spaying your female pets will guarantee them a life that is longer and healthier. Female pets who are not spayed are more prone to uterine infections and pyometra. Breast tumors are also more likely to occur. These are found in 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats—they can be cancerous or malignant. Making sure your pet is spayed before her first heat is a great preventative measure, protecting your pet against these issues. For male pets, neutering is a great preventative measure against testicular cancer and prostate issues.
Behavioral Effects
Spaying your female pet means she will not go into heat, which will prevent mating behaviors. When she is in heat, she is more likely to cry out and urinate around the house, making herself known to potential mates. Male pets who are neutered will have less reason to wander away from home searching for a mate. Pets who are not neutered may mark their territory, even in the house. They may also mount people, other dogs, and furniture. Neutering your pet is a great way to prevent these behaviors.
Other Benefits
Animal overpopulation and pet homelessness are big problems in the United States. Spaying and neutering your pets is a great way to help improve these issues. By spaying and neutering your pets, you will not add to the continually growing number of healthy dogs and cats who are euthanized each year because there are not enough homes available for them. Along with this, spaying and neutering your pets will benefit your pocketbook. The cost of this routine surgery is less than raising a litter of puppies or kittens.
When to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
The typical age range for spaying or neutering a dog is six to nine months old. It is possible to have an adult dog spayed or neutered, however, there may be more complications following surgery. It is typically safe for kittens to be spayed or neutered as young as eight weeks old, and it is advised to have the procedure done before the cat is five months old. Give us a call for more information on the best time to spay or neuter your pet.
Schedule Today
Contact Anasazi Animal Clinic in Gilbert today to discuss spaying and neutering options for your pet and to schedule your pet’s procedure. We will discuss what the procedure entails, along with pre-operative and post-operative care care for your furry friend. Making sure your pet gets spayed or neutered is an important action that will make a world of difference for the health and happiness of your pet.
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