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Credit: Humane Society International
Today is World Spay Day! Did you know that just one unaltered female and her puppies can produce 67,000 puppies in just six years? Or that dogs who are not spayed or neutered are more likely to have medical issues over the years? Here are some of the top reasons to spay and neuter your pet.
1. There are numerous illnesses than can arise from not being altered in both males and females and those who are spayed and neutered actually live a longer, healthier life on average compared to those who are not. In an article from USA Today in 2013, “neutered male dogs live 18% longer than unneutered male dogs and spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs (The Humane Society). When it comes to what can go on inside your beloved pet, the first illness that jumps out once it’s too late is pyometra which is a secondary infection of the uterus that is lethal and is a result of hormonal changes in the reproductive tract of females (VCA). Also, spaying a dog before her first “heat” cycle “greatly reduces her chances of developing breast cancer and completely eliminates the threat of uterine and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences in unaltered females” (Brown University). Male pets ave a decreased chance of prostate cancer and complete elimination of testicular cancer.
Pyometra
Credit: Acupet Veterinary Care
2. Despite what some people may think, spaying and neutering can also curb bad/unwanted behavior in pets. For males, they are often less aggressive once neutered and are less likely to “mark” their territory indoors once they are neutered. But once a dog has the habit of marking due to neutering too late in life, that will be difficult to stop. Males are also less likely to escape the yard to roam and find a female to impregnate. This applies to females, too, while in heat. Male cats are less likely to spray both indoors and outdoors, but again, this is hard to curb once it’s started, even after neutering. Just remember that while spaying and neutering can help curb bad behavior, it will not change their overall personality.
Credit: Three Million Dogs
3. On top of that, spaying and neutering helps reduce the risk of having unwanted litters that just add to the pet overpopulation. Everyone says that they are responsible and won’t let it happen, but with how many unwanted litters end up dumped in shelters every day, it’s better to completely reduce the risk, especially if you don’t plan on breeding (but remember, adopt, don’t shop). 8 millions pets enter U.S shelters every year and only half make it out.
Credit: East Green Wich Animal Rescue League
Want to keep you pet healthy and have a longer life span? Want to prevent unwanted litters? It’s easy! Spay and neuter!! Too expensive? No problem, check out your local low cost or free spay and neuter clinics. If you’re in Los Angeles, Spay4LA has events in low income areas throughout the county.
Credit: Muttscomics.com