Pet owners have an array of responsibilities to take care of when they bring a new cat or dog home. From creating a safe living environment to ensuring the pet has food, water, and regular exercise daily, there’s a lot to focus on. However, many pet owners overlook the importance of having their pet spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering are invaluable procedures that have numerous health benefits for your pet. Here are three reasons to spay or neuter your pet.
Prevent Litters and Help Control Overpopulation in Shelters
Perhaps the most prominent and common reason to have your pet spayed or neutered is to prevent unwanted litters of puppies or kittens. Not only can an unwanted litter give you a whole new checklist of responsibilities, but it also contributes to the overpopulation we see in our local animal shelters. There are too many animals in the shelters and more added each year, leading to euthanization of perfectly healthy animals due to lack of available homes to take them in.
Enhance Your Pet’s Health
Spaying and neutering your pet is also beneficial for their health. These procedures mitigate the risk of reproductive organ diseases and health complications, such as testicular cancer, mammary gland tumors, and several others. Spaying is also highly effective in preventing uterine and ovarian cancer.
Mitigate Unpleasant Behavioral Issues
Neutering your male pet can aid in correcting certain behavioral problems. Male animals who are not neutered are known to mark their territory with urine and become more aggressive. In female pets, spaying eliminates their heat cycle, making them less restless and vocal.
Prevent unwanted litters, do your part to control the overpopulation in animal shelters, mitigate health concerns, and improve your pet’s behavior by contacting your trusted veterinarian today to schedule a spay or neuter appointment for your pet.