Spay and Neutering Your Pets

More Than Just Population Control

Pet population numbers are booming. In a recent study by the Humane Society of the United States, numbers of pets in shelters were overwhelming. Between 4 and 5 million cats and dogs are euthanized every year in animal shelters country wide. As serious as this issue is, some people seem to feel that it just doesn't affect them personally, after all, there is no way Fifi the poodle could get pregnant, she's always supervised, or inside, or whatever.

Well how about this then:

Pet overpopulation is one of the greatest reasons to have all your pets sterilized, but did you know that is not the only reason? Did you know that by having your dog neutered or spayed you can eliminate the risk of serious future health problems as well?

Spaying and neutering before maturity, approximately six months of age also prevents a number of habits, from both sexes of dogs. Irritating behaviours such as territorial marking in the house and running away can easily be minimized by early-age spaying or neutering. And obedience classes.

Preventing gender-specific cancers in dogs is a very large plus, especially considering that unaltered dogs have a 50% chance of developing these cancers. That's one out of every two dogs that develop cancer. That is a very high percentage. Why risk it?

Part Two : What is Neutering and what does it do?
Part Three : What is Spaying and what does it do?