The Importance of Spaying and Neutering

First let's define those two words:

Spay -- Removal of the females ovaries and uterus

Neuter -- Removal of a males testicles

Both are done so that they can not reproduce.

I believe that it is very important to have your dog spayed or neutered. There are many reasons to have it done.

The benefits:

• will prevent unwanted litters
• Will be good for the community as there will be less strays that will wind up in a shelter.
• Fights pet overpopulation
• It is more cost effective to spay or neuter.

Benefits for the female:

• will prevent uterine infections
• risk of mammary gland tumors, ovarian and uterine cancers are reduced or eliminated.
• no heat cycles
• live longer healthier lives

Benefits for the male:

• low to no risk of prostate cancer
• Eliminates risk of testicular cancer
• Less desire to roam
• Decreases aggressive behaviors, such as fighting and urine marking.
• Live longer healthier lives

Let's talk about some of the reasons I've heard for not spaying or neutering your dog.

"My dog will feel less of a male"

----Dogs have no concept of a sexual identity.

"I want another dog just like the one I have"

----Genetically there is no guarantee that any of the puppies will be exactly like the dog you already have. They all have their own unique personalities.

"Cost"

------It is more cost effective to spay or neuter than to potentially have unwanted litters that no one may want. There are also many areas that have low cost spay/neuter programs that can help with the cost.

"I will find homes for them"

------That is a hard task to take on. You have no way of knowing if the homes will be good homes. Also it is way harder than you think to find homes for a litter of up to 10 or 12 puppies.

"I want to teach my child the miracle of birth"

-------There are many books and videos to help you teach the miracle of birth to your child. Teach your child the importance of rescue and adopting.

Millions of dogs are euthanized every year in the US because they are unwanted,please be a responsible dog owner and spay or neuter your dog.   

Thanks for reading

Teri

Next week: Mosquitoes and Heartworm