— By Rohini Rana
Spaying or neutering your pet is an important decision for pet parents. However, a lot of us don’t know why it’s done and its advantages. The benefits go beyond birth control. Find out how…
In every community and across every state, countless homeless animals struggle to survive without the safety and care they deserve. Tragically, many have been subjected to inhumane forms of euthanasia, despite being healthy, loving animals who could have brought companionship, joy and affection into someone’s life.
Not All Homeless Animals Are Born on the Streets
Across communities and states, countless homeless animals are struggling to find food, shelter and a safe place to call home. And they are not all born on the streets. Puppies and kittens can come from much-loved family pets, including purebreds and crossbreeds, and can eventually find themselves without homes.
Many pet parents understandably believe that their own animals’ puppies or kittens could never become homeless. But an unplanned litter can happen surprisingly easily. A dog slipping through a gate to meet a neighbour’s female dog, or an indoor-outdoor cat returning home pregnant, can result in a new litter. Even when these puppies and kittens are placed in loving homes, they may go on to reproduce, creating another generation that could end up homeless.
This is why responsible sterilisation matters. Spaying and neutering is a safe and permanent way to prevent unwanted litters in dogs and cats. By choosing to sterilise our pets, we can help reduce the number of animals born without homes and give those already living on the streets a better chance at a safe and dignified life.
Responsible Pet Parenthood Starts Here – Advantages of Spaying/Neutering
Besides being a birth control method, neutering[males]/spaying[females] has the following health benefits.
Spaying reduces the risk of mammary tumors
Spaying can significantly reduce a female dog’s risk of developing mammary tumours, particularly when the procedure is performed before her first heat cycle. The protective effect is greatest when dogs are spayed early, while the risk of mammary tumours increases with each subsequent heat cycle.
Reduces the risk of pyometra
Spaying also prevents pyometra, a potentially serious and life-threatening infection of the uterus. When your pet is spayed, the reproductive organs are removed, and the hormonal changes that contribute to pyometra are also eliminated. This makes spaying an effective way to protect female dogs from this painful condition.
Reduces the risk of various types of cancers
Spaying and neutering can prevent certain reproductive cancers because the organs in which these cancers develop are removed during the procedure. Spaying eliminates the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, while neutering eliminates the risk of testicular cancer. Although these cancers are relatively uncommon in dogs and cats, prevention is an added benefit of sterilisation. In female rabbits, however, uterine cancer is considerably more common, making spaying particularly important for their long-term health.
Prevents pregnancy-related complications
Spaying eliminates the possibility of pregnancy and, in turn, prevents complications associated with pregnancy and reproductive cycles. It can also prevent false pregnancies, a condition that can occur in unspayed female dogs and may cause physical and behavioural changes.
May reduce urine marking
Neutering can help reduce urine marking, particularly in male dogs, as this behaviour is often influenced by reproductive hormones. However, marking can also be caused by territorial behaviour, stress, or changes in the environment, so neutering may not stop it in every dog.
May reduce certain aggressive behaviours
The arrival of a new pet can sometimes trigger territorial or protective behaviour in dogs. Intact dogs may be more likely to display hormone-driven behaviours such as marking, mounting and certain forms of aggression. Neutering may help reduce these behaviours in some dogs, although training, socialization and the individual dog’s temperament also play an important role.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Avoids the challenges of heat cycles
Spaying eliminates the heat cycle in female dogs and cats, along with the behaviours and challenges that can accompany it. Female dogs typically go into heat about twice a year, while cats may experience heat several times a year. During this period, they may become restless or vocal, and their scent can attract male animals, which can sometimes lead to unwanted attention and the risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
May reduce fighting and roaming
Neutering can reduce hormone-driven behaviours such as roaming and the urge to seek a mate. As a result, neutered pets may be less likely to wander away from home or get into fights with other animals.
A simple decision today can make a lasting difference to your pet and to countless animals in need. Spaying and neutering can help your companion live a healthier life while playing a small but meaningful part in breaking the cycle of animal homelessness.
