There are three primary reasons to consider spaying or neutering your cat or dog. First and foremost, these procedures are beneficial to the quality and duration of the animal’s life. Spay procedures are especially beneficial to female cats and dogs, as the procedures completely eliminate the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer, mammary gland tumors, and similar afflictions. Research indicates that a neutered dog lives about 18 percent longer than an unneutered dog, while spayed females live about 23 percent longer.
In addition to the health of your pet, spaying and neutering can benefit the entire national pet population. Unwanted pregnancies result in an increase of homeless and neglected animals throughout the country. These animals ultimately end up in shelters that are forced to euthanize between three and four million animals every year due to limited space and resources.
Finally, individual animals can demonstrate improved behavior following a spay or neuter procedure. Dogs and cats are both more territorial prior to a spay or neuter, with dogs roaming in search of mates and cats spraying their territory with urine, even indoors. Any questions or concerns regarding a spay or neuter procedure should be directed to a trusted veterinarian.