As a pet owner, you have some incredibly crucial decisions to make regarding your pet’s health. From vaccinations, to medication decisions, and everything in between, you are your pet’s advocate for life. Choosing to spay or neuter (i.e., gonadectomy) them is one of the most important decisions you will have to make as a pet owner that potentially impacts your community, your pet’s health, and the bond you share. Unless you are planning to responsibly breed your dog, cat, or small mammal, spaying or neutering should be at the top of your to-do list. Here are our top reasons why you should consider this valuable procedure for your pet.

#1: To help control the pet population crisis

Every year, countless dogs, cats, and other pets are surrendered to local animal shelters or, worse, abandoned on the streets. While spaying and neutering won’t completely solve this problem, the procedures can certainly help restrict the number of unexpected—and unwanted—litters. Unfortunately, the pet overpopulation problem results in millions of euthanasias each year, but fixing your own four-legged friend immediately limits this unnecessary statistic. 

#2: To eliminate your pet’s chances of developing certain diseases

Keeping your pet intact sets them up for a whole host of potential reproductive problems, predominantly in female dogs, who can develop a troublesome uterine infection known as pyometra, where purulent material builds up in the uterus, leading to fever, pain, and potential uterine rupture. Pyometra is a surgical emergency that requires the removal of the entire uterus—essentially, a spay. Female dogs may also develop mammary (i.e., breast) tumors,  which are cancerous 50 percent of the time in intact animals. Non-castrated male dogs are prone to typically benign but unpleasant perianal tumors and, while rare, these pets may also suffer from testicular cancer. 

#3: To limit undesired behaviors in your pet

Reproductive hormones circulating through the body often cause undesirable behaviors, including urine marking, mounting behavior, or increased aggression in males. A female dog who is “in heat” releases a powerful scent that attracts male dogs. During this time in her cycle, she will also be eager to find a mate, putting these pets at increased risk of escaping their homes. These troublesome behaviors can put stress on owners, who may then experience a strained relationship with their pets. While spaying or neutering can immediately correct many of these actions, learned behaviors, such as marking, may be more difficult to resolve. 

#4: To save money—and the responsibility of caring for a litter

While the upfront expense of gonadectomy surgery can seem large, when compared with the cost of treating a uterine infection or cancer, this procedure is well worth the money. A pyometra surgery may set you back two to four times the cost of a routine spay, in addition to the hospitalization, medications, and other treatment expenses. If your pet becomes pregnant, you may also have to deal with a costly Cesarean section surgery or other unexpected veterinary costs. Aside from the financial aspect of choosing not to spay or neuter, many pet owners are shocked at the amount of time, attention, and resources a pregnant female and her subsequent litter require. 

#5: There’s no reason not to

Contrary to popular belief, spaying or neutering your pet won’t make them overweight, less intelligent, or less able to work or hunt. Other than the minimal surgical risks associated with the procedure, fixing your pet is almost always a good idea. 

When is the best time to spay or neuter?

Recommendations for the appropriate age to spay and neuter dogs have evolved over the years. While animal shelter veterinarians typically perform these procedures on young pets for valid population and adoption purposes, private practice veterinarians must evaluate each individual patient, assessing their age, breed, and health status before offering a recommendation. Hereditary factors are also important in this decision, so ensure you inform your veterinarian if your pet’s known lineage includes a history of genetic disease. Using this information, our veterinary team will help you decide when you should spay or neuter your pet. For cats, this is typically by age 5 to 6 months, but recommendations for certain dogs may be delayed for up to one to two years. 

At Billings Animal Family Hospital, your pet’s wellbeing and our community’s health are top priorities. Are you ready to get your pet spayed or neutered, or do you have additional questions? Contact us today to set up an initial consultation. We can’t wait to help your pet!