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The Benefits of Spaying Your Dog

Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized every year in this country. Not spaying your dog only adds to the problem. Spayed dogs enjoy more health benefits, too. Non-spayed dogs can suffer from more varieties of certain cancers, and can develop false pregnancies, or difficulties with pregnancies. They can also suffer from infection of the reproductive system.

A spayed dog will not go into heat. In addition, she won't have an unplanned pregnancy, and you won't have to worry about finding homes for the puppies. Spaying your dog should be done early, before she has her first heat cycle.

Find Low Cost Spaying

Your state may have low cost, or even free, spay or neuter programs that you can use for your pets. Some programs are based on financial need and others will spay and neuter untamed and/or homeless cats. Often, rescue or humane organizations will offer low cost spay and neuter alternatives, too.

Many vets offer discounts for multiple pets, or discounts for multiple services performed on one pet, such as spay, neuter, and another procedure such as vaccination or teeth cleaning.

Finally, if you adopt a pet from a local shelter or humane society, they may offer you discount coupons to have your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Your local SPCA may offer pets for adoption that have already been spayed or neutered. There are many ways to find low cost spay alternatives, check your local area to see what's available there.

Discounts on Spaying and Neutering

Ask your vet about multiple pet discounts when you have your pets spayed and neutered. Local animal shelters, such as the Humane Society, often offer discounted services, too. In addition, there may be low-income assistance from some agencies to help with spaying and neutering.

Low cost spaying and neutering is available, you just have to search for it sometimes. Spaying and neutering helps reduce the pet population and reduces the number of unwanted pets that end up in shelters or are euthanized each year.

Spaying and Neutering Myths

Here are some common misconceptions about spaying or neutering your pet:

• Spaying or neutering your pet will not make it get fat and lazy.
• Females should have at least one litter for their health and well being.
• To spay or neuter is expensive.
• Males don't need to be neutered because they don't have litters.
The above statements are all myths, and should not be taken into consideration when considering to spay or neuter your pet. To spay or neuter your pet is the best thing you can do for pet health and overpopulation.

Six Reasons to Neuter Your Cat

There are many reasons to neuter your male cat, from health concerns to the worry over pet overpopulation and unwanted kittens.

• Neutering your cat can help him live a longer life. A majority of cats who are killed on the road or in cat fights are non-neutered.
• Male cats are more aggressive when they aren't neutered, and they may get in more fights over territory and mates.
• Cats that are not neutered are more susceptible to feline leukemia and the feline HIV virus.
• Non-neutered males are more prone to testicular cancer.
• Males will spray to attract females if they are not neutered, and this urine can be complicated to clean up and remove.

Spaying Your Indoor Cat

You may think your indoor cat does not need to be spayed, but that's another myth about spaying and neutering that needs to be set right. Just because a pet stays indoors is no reason not to spay or neuter them.

• You may want to bring another cat into the home at a later date, and an unsprayed cat could cause problems.
• Your cat could get out by accident, and end up pregnant.
• Spaying your cat will not alter its personality.
• You may not be able to find homes for all the kittens after they are born.
• Non-spayed female cats are at risk for more diseases.

Pet Responsibility Includes Spaying and Neutering

Pet owners are taking pet health much more seriously, and understand the many reasons they should spay or neuter their pets. One of the most compelling reasons is pet overpopulation.

There are not enough homes for all the kittens and puppies born every year, and sadly, many are destroyed before they ever get a chance to find a home. Choosing to spay or neuter your pet reduces overpopulations and unwanted babies.

Spaying and neutering also helps reduce the risks of several serious diseases in dogs and cats. Non-neutered animals tend to stray more often and get injured while they are lost, too.

Choosing not to spay or neuter your pet leaves it vulnerable, and is helped to create a pet overpopulation around the world. The responsible pet owner spays and neuters their pet early in their pet's life.

Be Sure to Neuter Your Dog

When you adopt a puppy, don't forget to factor in the cost of neutering your new pet. It makes sense from a health standpoint, because neutered dogs face fewer health challenges. They also tend to live longer lives because they do not stray looking for a mate.

It's also estimated that between four and five million dogs are euthanized every year in America, and that's a staggering number. Unwanted puppies make up a large part of this number, and not neutering your dog means he's always capable of getting loose and getting a female pregnant.

Finally, neutered dogs are less aggressive because they have less testosterone in their systems. That means fewer fights and fewer injuries from fighting.

The Dangers of Not Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

You may not know it, but choosing not to spay or neuter your pet can leave them more susceptible to many health problems.

• Female cats are more susceptible to mammary cancer, uterine and ovary cancer, and pyometra.
• Male cats are more susceptible to testicular cancer and wounds from fighting other aggressive males.
• All cats are more susceptible to feline leukemia and feline HIV.
• Non-neutered dogs are vulnerable to testicular or prostate cancer. Neutering helps greatly reduce the risk of perineal hernias, and penile tumors, too.
• Female dogs that are spayed are less likely to get mammary cancer.
• Dog spaying prevents ovarian and uterine tumors, and prevents uterine infections, too.

If you spay or neuter your pet, they'll have a healthier, happier life, and many serious medical conditions can be prevented.