Myths and Facts About Spaying and Neutering

[rtebalt]

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: i don’t want my male dog or cat to feel like less of a male.

fact: pets don’t have any concept of sexual identity or ego. neutering will not change a pet’s basic personality. he doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.

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.

[starsinnight]

thanks for this!! i really support spaying/neutering too! i had to beg and convince my father to spay his pure-bred dog.

He believed in all these myths and many people do!! My vet helped convince him too. And he finally did it.

Sometimes I wish I could have had a puppy from one of them, but there are just so many pets already needing homes, it is such a shame. when im ready for a new puppy, i will definitely adopt!

[rtebalt]

I’m all about adopting! And mutts are the best!!! I think its because they are truly thankful to have a home.

🙂 Both of our doggies are mutts! (They’re also the cutest!!! 🙂 )

[tinkb13]

There are already to many unwanted pets. Thankyou for this post.

[LorriAnn62]

Does anyone know if getting a male dog neutered (?) (sorry, I feel really stupid, but can never remember which is which. lol)…anyway, does it help with house training them?

[Candace]

@LorriAnn62 238331 wrote:

Does anyone know if getting a male dog neutered (?) (sorry, I feel really stupid, but can never remember which is which. lol)…anyway, does it help with house training them?

male dogs get neutered, female dogs get spayed. husbands get vasectomies .
:drogar-smile(lbg): .

. .

i don’t think i’ve ever heard that it helps with housetraining, but it does help keep them at home rather than wandering the neighborhood and it does calm them down quite a bit if they’re hyper.

[michbeth]

If cost is an issue, most shelters can refer you to a low cost spay and neuter clinic, they might even do it there. Ask your local shelter or vet for more info. Thank you for posting this, it’s such an important issue.

(I work at a shelter) :You_Rock_Emoticon:

[Ethereal]

It helps with some male dogs — they are more prone to “mark” their territory before they are neutered.

[lmitchell]

My family only gets animals that are spayed/neutered. We usually get them from the Humane Society, too. That is where I got my son’s first kitty, Aria.

And she is such a darling!!! She adores him.

[elladenise]

Great post. As for the healthier aspect, a female will have less chance for mammary tumors and ovarian cancer, and males will have no chance of testicular cancer. If spayed/neutered, neither will get the sexually transmitted diseases.

[MizKitty]

Thank you for the post. spay/neuter is so very important for the health of the pet and if you love them. You would be doing them a big favor. Also, as far as cost goes.

I have to keep the cost of a spay/neuter down as I rescue cats and also have my own. You might want to check your local animal care and control agency (ACC) as they can do it low cost or tell you who they use for low cost. I just had two cats altered for 20 bucks TOTAL! 10 bucks each.

(I went to the Denver Dumb Friends League, a mobile unit called the Meowmobile) That included shots (rabies/distemper/parvo) and neuter/spay for 10 bucks each cat. The cost of spay/neuter is coming down because it cost shelters more to home unwanted pets.

[Melissa Burnell]

Our sweet girl was spayed yesterday and it’s good to note that spaying is considerably more invasive than neutering. We’re supposed to keep her strictly confined for 10 days. When they’re coming off anesthesia (and for 24-36 hours following) it can be very difficult for them to keep anything down.

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