𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧?
Spaying and neutering are important for cats and dogs because they reduce the risk of cancer, help cats live longer, and reduce injuries to other animals.Cats are at risk of developing many types of cancer, especially those affecting the reproductive organs. These cancers include uterine (feline pancytosis), mammary (feline mammary carcinoma), ovarian (feline ovarian carcinoma), and testicular (feline testicular carcinoma).
According to the ASPCA's website, neutering a healthy cat reduces these risks by 90%.Spaying also helps prevent urinary tract infections in female cats by removing the uterus and ovaries. This is especially important for older cats who often develop UTIs due to menopause or having been spayed too late in life. Additionally, it's much easier on both you and your cat if you spay her before she gets pregnant again.In addition to preventing pregnancy, neutered males are less likely to roam than intact males, which can be dangerous when you don't know where he is!
Spaying and neutering also help to reduce the number of dogs and cats that are euthanized in shelters every year. A significant portion of the limited resources available to animal shelters is spent on treating and caring for animals that are sick or injured due to fighting, roaming, being hit by cars, or otherwise being harmed by unaltered male dogs.
Spaying and neutering can help you prevent this from happening in your community. Spaying and neutering are also important for your dog’s health. Unaltered dogs are at an increased risk of developing reproductive cancers (such as mammary tumors), infections (like pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus), and hormone-related problems like urinary incontinence or prostate disease (which can cause male dogs to frequently urinate in their homes).
Spaying and neutering can also help you prevent unwanted litters from being born. If you have dogs that are not spayed or neutered, they may mate with another dog in the neighborhood and produce puppies who will likely end up in animal shelters if they are not adopted.
When you are ready to spay or neuter your dog, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian. Your pet should be at least six months old and weigh no more than 50 pounds for him or her to undergo this procedure.