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Frequently
Asked Questions
About Spay and Neuter
 THE
PROCEDURE
MINIMUM
AGE
BEHAVIORAL
BENEFITS OF NEUTERING
MYTHS
ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING
THE
PROCEDURE
Female
dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs,
and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles.
In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under
anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size, and health, he or
she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a
few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stitches
removed after a few days.
The
obvious reason spaying and neutering is so critical is to prevent
unwanted, accidental pregnancies. There are many more benefits,
though, that are good for the pet as well as the owner.
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MINIMUM
AGE
Spay/neuter can be safely performed on animals as young as 6
weeks of age. Veterinarians practicing this technique report that
the surgery is significantly quicker and easier to perform. Pet
owners report fewer post-surgical problems than those who have older
animals altered.
Unaltered
males are subject to a number of hormone-related medical problems
as they age. They may develop prostate, perianal, and testicular
tumors and cancers. Neutering greatly reduces the risk of these
medical problems.
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BEHAVIORAL
BENEFITS OF NEUTERING
Neutering
is particularly effective as a preventive measure against a number
of common behavioral problems.
HOSTILITY
TOWARD OTHER DOGS
One aspect of male canine behavior is aggression towards other males.
As a male reaches full physical and sexual maturity, he becomes
more and more protective of what he considers "his" territory.
His definition of "his" area tends to change, and the
boundaries enlarge, until sometimes an entire square block or country
mile falls within his territory.
Often,
owners are not aware of this until a tragedy occurs, and their male
or another male is severely hurt or even killed. "But he's
always so gentle" is a common cry of an upset owner in these
circumstances. And he is - until another male invades property that
he considers his own. Then his male territorial instinct overrides
any social behavior he may have learned, and he defends his turf,
sometimes to the death.
ROAMING
Along with this instinct comes roaming behavior. A sexually active
male must patrol the boundaries of his property and constantly widen
them. In addition, he's always on the lookout for receptive females
and, if there is a female in heat within many miles, he'll find
her. Along with this comes the potential to be hit by a car or otherwise
injured, or become lost. Often, a male hangs around the area for
days on end, apparently forgetting that he even has a home. Terrible
fights can occur when several males pursue a female in heat, even
if she is confined indoors, and the resulting veterinarian bills
may be staggering. Research shows us that of all the positive behavior
changes that are a result of neutering, roaming shows the greatest
degree of change.
URINATING
An uncastrated male may indulge in territorial urine marking - urinating
on every upright surface he can find. This is usually related either
to a female coming into heat somewhere within his range or another
male moving into the neighborhood. You may not be aware of either
occurrence, but you will soon know it when your housetrained pet
has suddenly "broken training" and is marking up your
house. In the absence of other male animals, males may also take
out their aggressive territorial protection on humans. Overprotectiveness
of family members may manifest itself by growling or nipping at
visitors in your home.
MOUNTING,
CLIMING, JUMPING
O ther
sexually related behaviors of male dogs can include mounting human
legs, climbing up on people, and even knocking children down and
climbing on top of them. This is especially frightening and dangerous
if a dog is large.
SPRAYING
For
male cats, a neutered male is less likely to spray (almost all unneutered
males cats spray). They also yowl as if in terrible pain. You may
think your cat is in pain and take it to the vet only to find out
it is in search of a mate.
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MYTHS
ABOUT SPAYING AND NEUTERING
MYTH:
My pet will get fat and lazy.
FACT: The truth is that most pets get fat and lazy because their
owners feed them too much and don't give them enough exercise.
MYTH:
It's better to have one litter first.
FACT:
Medical evidence indicates just the opposite. In fact, the evidence
shows that females spayed before their first heat are typically
healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs and cats as young
as eight weeks of age. Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate
time for these procedures.
MYTH:
My children should experience the miracle of birth.
FACT:
Even if children are able to see a pet give birth—which is
unlikely, since it usually occurs at night and in seclusion—the
lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and
discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to
children that the real miracle is life and that preventing the birth
of some pets can save the lives of others.
MYTH:
But my pet is a purebred.
FACT: So is at least one out of every four pets brought to animal
shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs and cats—mixed
breed and purebred.
MYTH:
I want my dog to be protective.
FACT:
Spaying or neutering does not affect a dog's natural instinct to
protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics
and environment than by sex hormones.
MYTH:
But my dog (or cat) is so special, I want a puppy (or kitten)
just like her.
FACT:
A dog or cat may be a great pet, but that doesn't mean her offspring
will be a carbon copy. Professional animal breeders who follow generations
of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want
out of a particular litter. A pet owner's chances are even slimmer.
In fact, an entire litter of puppies or kittens might receive all
of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.
MYTH:
It's too expensive to have my pet spayed or neutered.
FACT:
The cost of spaying or neutering depends on the sex, size, and age
of the pet, your veterinarian's fees, and a number of other variables.
But whatever the actual price, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time
cost—a relatively small cost when compared to all the benefits.
It's a bargain compared to the cost of having a litter and ensuring
the health of the mother and litter; two months of pregnancy and
another two months until the litter is weaned can add up to significant
veterinary bills and food costs if complications develop. Most importantly,
it's a very small price to pay for the health of your pet and the
prevention of the births of more unwanted pets.
MYTH:
I'll find good homes for all the puppies and kittens.
FACT: You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But each
home you find means one less home for the dogs and cats in shelters
who need good homes. Also, in less than one year's time, each of
your pet's offspring may have his or her own litter, adding even
more animals to the population. The problem of pet overpopulation
is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.
MYTH:
I can make some extra money selling the puppies/kittens.
FACT: Breeding dogs and cats isn't always a money making experience.
There are the veterinary bills, shots, food, and advertising costs.
There is also the time spent caring for the puppies and kittens
and showing them to prospective owners. Don't forget the temptation
to keep "just one" that often happens with the first litter.
What if the pregnancy puts the mother in medical danger that causes
her to suffer or even die -- can you put a price on the loss of
a pet? Also, for every heat cycle a female goes through, her odds
of having medical problems later multiplies by ten. By the time
the puppies or kittens are sold, has a significant amount of money
really been made?
MYTH:
My male cat/dog will be kept indoors away from any females.
FACT: Male pets will smell females in heat and many have been known
to escape their homes to reach the female.
MYTH:
I want my male dog to be a guard dog and I need to keep him
aggressive.
FACT: Most pets will be more reliable and responsible after neutering
and are often easier to train because of stabilized hormones. What
makes a male dog a good guard dog is training, not hormones.
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