5 Reasons to Spay and Neuter Your Pets

1. Health Benefits of Spay and Neuter

Male pets and female pets can have different health issues throughout their lives, however, both can benefit from being either spayed or neutered as early as possible. According to the ASPCA, "Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumors, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases." Neutering your male companion cat or dog prevents testicular cancer and reduces some prostate problems.

2. Behavior Benefits

Companion animals that haven't been spayed or neutered experience a number of behavioral problems. Female cats go through heat cycles for four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In trying to find a mate, they'll yowl incessantly and urinate more often, sometimes in places they shouldn't. Male companion pets will try to escape the house and dig under fences to escape the yard. Once free, they're at a risk of injury from traffic or fights with other animals. Many male pets also exhibit less aggression once neutered.

3. Save Money when You Spay and Neuter

While the upfront cost of a spay or neuter may seem expensive at first, it's a lot cheaper than properly raising a litter of puppies or kittens. It's also cheaper than caring for a pet that has escaped to find a mate and gotten injured. Keep in mind that that there are plenty of resources available for low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. Start by contacting your local Humane Society. They often have a list of affordable veterinary care options.

4. Benefit Your Community

In just about every part of the country, there is some problem with stray animals. It's heartbreaking to see companions without homes, and in particularly bad cases strays can pose problems to the community. They can prey on local wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and possibly frighten children. Spay and neuter surgeries also help with overpopulation. Millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized every year. These high numbers are largely a result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented.

5. Don't Listen to the Myths

Spaying or neutering will not make your pet fat. As long as you're maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, your pet should stay at a healthy weight. If your pet is struggling with their weight, check out our 5 Tips for Pet Weight Control. There is also no medical reason that your dog or cat should have a litter before getting fixed. However, it should be noted that neutering is not a quick fix for all behavior problems. While it can often result in a calmer or less aggressive pet, it's not a substitute for proper training and exercise. If you have any questions about how, why or when to spay or neuter your pet, make sure to contact your regular vet.