Unless you plan to show or breed your dog, you should strongly consider having it spayed or neutered. There are many reasons to opt for this procedure. Most veterinarians agree that spayed or neutered dogs live longer, healthier lives. Male dogs that have been neutered have a lower incidence of prostate cancer compared to those that were not altered. Female dogs that have been spayed have a lower incidence of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Dogs that have been spayed or neutered are far less likely to bite and show less aggression than animals that have not been altered. For this reason, they often make better companions.
Spaying a female dog eliminates her heat cycle. When a female is in heat, she may attract male dogs, act nervous, and cry for hours at a time. Spaying will stop all of this.
Altered animals are also much less likely to wander away from home. By keeping them close, the risk of contracting a disease or becoming lost is greatly reduced.
Additionally, altered pets cannot contribute to the overpopulation of dogs. More than 30,000,000 animals are euthanized each year because there simply aren’t enough homes for them. Both mixed breeds and purebreds are euthanized in shelters every day. Spaying or neutering your dog ensures that he or she will not contribute to this problem.
With so many compelling reasons to have your dog spayed or neutered, the next question is: When should the procedure be done?
Ideally, your dog should be altered before the first heat cycle, which typically occurs between five and six months of age. While each dog is different, a general guideline is that most dogs should be altered between four and six months of age.
By having your dog altered prior to its first heat, you’ll enjoy the maximum benefits, such as preventing diseases and avoiding certain behavior problems. Additionally, the surgery is easier on younger dogs, and they tend to recover more quickly.
The reduction in the incidence of certain cancers, as mentioned earlier, is even greater when dogs are spayed or neutered before their first heat cycle. This gives your dog the best chance at living a long and healthy life.
Many people choose not to alter their pets despite the numerous benefits. Often, this choice is based on common myths about spaying and neutering.
My Dog Will Get Fat
Spaying or neutering your dog will not automatically cause weight gain. While it may reduce your dog’s overall activity level, this can be managed with an extra walk or more playtime in the yard. Whether or not your dog is altered, the formula for a healthy weight remains the same: burn more calories than you consume.
My Dog Will Act Differently
Any changes in personality are likely to be positive. Many pets become less aggressive towards other animals, are less likely to wander, and stop marking furniture with urine to establish territory.
It’s Better for My Dog’s Health to Have at Least One Litter
There is no medical evidence supporting this myth. Most research shows that animals spayed or neutered before their first heat cycle are healthier. If you’re concerned about this, talk to your vet.
My Dog Will Not Be as Protective
Your dog’s natural instinct to protect his home and family will not change when he is spayed or neutered. He will still be as protective of you as he has always been. While he may be less aggressive towards other dogs, he will act the same towards people.
I’m Worried About My Pet Having Surgery
Although no surgery is without risks, spaying or neutering is one of the safest and most common procedures performed by veterinarians. The vet will monitor your pet’s vital signs, just as a doctor would do for you during surgery. It’s normal to worry about your pet’s well-being, but the benefits of this procedure far outweigh the minimal risks.
I Shouldn’t Spay or Neuter a Purebred
Unless you plan to breed your dog professionally or make it a show dog, being a purebred is not a good reason to avoid spaying or neutering. Animal shelters are full of purebreds as well as mixed breeds, and the health benefits for altered animals are the same for purebreds as for mixed breeds.
While having your dog spayed or neutered before its first heat cycle is ideal, if you adopt your pet after it has gone through its first heat cycle, spaying or neutering will still provide most of the positive benefits and should be done as soon as possible.
